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Why USC? My Common App Essay About a Bus
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Why USC? My Common App Essay About a Bus

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

It’s that time of year: college applications. SATs and ACTs may be canceled by the Common App essays are not. Keep reading for my college essay and my reflections on it, the college application process and time at USC.

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Club Spotlight: Science Outreach
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Club Spotlight: Science Outreach

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Science Outreach (SCout) is a USC club that brings fun science experiments to 2nd and 3rd-grade classes. The goal is to get the junior scientists excited about science before their science curriculum officially begins in 4th grade. Teaching the kids through experiments, SCout aims to share our passion for science and inspire life-long learners in junior scientists. Keep reading to find out more about Science Outreach!

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Apply to be a RA! FAQs
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Apply to be a RA! FAQs

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

What is a RA? It stands for Resident Assistant and we’re the people planning your community meetings and giving out free food at your residence halls across USC. The application to apply for the RA position for the 2020-2021 school year is now open and can be found at Erezlife. Keep reading to learn more about the position and application process!

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Confessions of a High School Valedictorian
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Confessions of a High School Valedictorian

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Transitioning into college is a journey, and one of the greatest obstacles is developing a growth mindset. It can be challenging going from being top of your high school class to “average” in a USC curved class. Nevertheless, it’s vital that college students all learn to dissociate self-esteem and self-worth from grades and prevent a fixed mindset from holding them back. The following is a very personal account of my own slow development to having a healthier mindset about not only grades, but about myself.

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From RA to Freshman: What to Bring to your Dorm 101
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From RA to Freshman: What to Bring to your Dorm 101

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Welcome to your new home! Whether you’re coming from within LA or from overseas, moving into college dorms is a big adjustment. You (or your parents) have spent the summer going over the necessities of bedding, towels, and toiletries. Want to know what else you should bring and what you should clear from your luggage?

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College Budget Glamping: A Review of Lake Cachuma Yurts
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College Budget Glamping: A Review of Lake Cachuma Yurts

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

I was advised against it by parents and friends alike but fortunately, I was able to find an eclectic group of people who were willing to go camping with me during the first two days of Dead Week. We were stressed out enough for finals, so we decided to not deal with the hassle of tent camping and backpacking; we tried out Yurt camping. Here are some highlights from our glamping experience at Lake Cachuma.

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Why you Should Pick USC: Honest Review
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Why you Should Pick USC: Honest Review

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Commitment day is coming around the corner. While USC has been in the media for less delectable reasons recently, it truly is an amazing school. After spending a few nights at Berkeley, UCSC, UCLA as well as some privates on the east coast, I’ve decided that USC is the place for me. Here are some reasons why I appreciate USC (as well some things I would like to change).

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Advice on Sleep from an Insomniac
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Advice on Sleep from an Insomniac

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

We’ve all heard how sleep deprivation can cause short-term consequences like poor judgement, weakened immune system, and poor concentration and is also correlated with detrimental long-term effects like heart disease and neurological degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately in an age of instant gratification and ever more invasive technology, maintaining healthy sleep habits is becoming more difficult. Sleep difficulty has been cited as the leading factors affecting USC students’ academic performance (along with stress and anxiety which also cause further lack of sleep, leading to an awful positive feedback cycle). As a diagnosed insomniac, I’m definitely guilty of not getting as much sleep as my body needs. The following are some tips that have helped me obtain a more consistent, healthy sleep schedule.

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