By: Sydney Henry ‘24

Welcome back everyone! It’s a new semester, everyone is back on campus, and everyone is still not over the end of summer break. My last post of the spring semester talked about me getting ready to move cross country from New York to California to attend USC, and let’s just say I both did and didn’t follow my own advice. Yikes! But, as I said in that last post, this is a learning experience for all of us, and I definitely learned a lot. A lot that I can share with you all.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

Monday, September 20th will be the start of USC Green Week: a week of sustainability-focused projects and events to engage in. Students can take this time not only to participate in the events and sign the USC Sustainability Pledge, but think about the ways we are mindful of our planet. Read on for some sustainability tips and helpful actions you can do too!

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

2021 has brought many new changes to campus, one of these being the meal plan swipes! On top of the three residential dining halls, there are now other on-campus options for those with a meal plan - like some restaurants at TCC. So if you are looking to dine somewhere that is not a dining hall without spending coveted dining dollars, take a look at this list so find some of my favorite options!

By: Antonia Le ‘22

I’ve had a lot of time to kill over the past few Zoom semesters, so I started listening to a lot of podcasts. Podcasts are perfect for long walks around campus, running errands at Target, and my all-too-dreaded weekly chores.

As an avid podcast listener, I started thinking: “Why can’t I start my own thing?”. I’d like to say that I had a noble reason for starting a podcast. Truthfully, though, I just wanted to see if I could do it…and I did. With only four episodes out, I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, but I hope talking about my own experiences can show people that you don’t have to create something groundbreaking to have a lot of fun and learn a lot!

By: Sophia Pei ‘22 and Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Whether this is your first time on campus or your return after 18 months away, we have compiled a list of must-reads to help you get in the groove of being on campus. Keep reading for more information and to know exactly which posts you should add to your reading list!

By: Claire Wong ‘23

This year was definitely a very untraditional college year, and there were many unexpected challenges with virtual learning. Despite the different experiences, there were many lessons and takeaways to the year! Here is what I learned from my sophomore year.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

Many of you coffee-enthusiasts probably enjoy trying new drinks, but it can be hard to know what is worth spending your money on. With all the trendy drinks circulating on social media and TikTok, I thought I would try some and share my thoughts!

By: Claire Wong ‘23

COVID-19 has been an interesting period for movies. Movies have been digitally released this year because theaters across the nation are closed. And without the theater experience, watching movie is not as appealing. Movies have been very much marketing their films differently this season and you may have missed some. Here are some of the best movies released this year!

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Nothing says Netflix & Chill like Valentine’s day ’21 mid-pandemic. With restrictive local and state guidelines and (honestly) nowhere to go, the thought of recreating the festive atmosphere in your bubble can start to feel very claustrophobic. Without all the fancy shenanigans—candles, chocolates or violins (give me a break)—streaming platforms are gearing up for the long weekend with new releases, movie premieres and special episodes. Here are some of my favorites:

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Easily the biggest skincare myth floating around historically African communities is that dark-skinned people don’t need sunscreen. This was exemplified in the way I shrugged off a summer camp counsellor’s advice to rub on sunblock before we went on a hike (I definitely didn’t know what I was saying) or the diminished sunscreen options available for darker skin tones. A sunburnt picture of me in 10th grade agrees. Darker-skin tones can give the illusion of protection from the harsh sun rays because they mask the tell-tale signs of burns, redness, and inflammation. Nonetheless, overexposure to UV rays can pose as a cancer risk, especially in the never-ending-summers of Southern California. Below is a list of the best un-tinted mineral sunscreens for people with dark sin (without the grey cast!) below $45:

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Way back in the 80’s, the Buggles sang The Video Killed the Radio Star. In an iconic move, MTV decided to air the song’s music video as the first ever video on its channel. Over 30 years later, Netflix would kill cable TV.

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Your personal computer is probably going to be your most used asset (and biggest investment) when you’re coming into college. While there is a myriad of options to choose from in a booming tech world, let’s focus on two broad categories: Chromebooks and Laptops.