It’s that time of year we’re trudging up the hill of projects disguised as midterms and trying to maintain that treasured “work-life balance.” The last thing on your mind is what three Halloweekend costumes you’ll need to scrounge together with accessories that may or may not come in time. So, here are some last-minute costumes that you can put together with clothes in your closet.

One of my favorite parts of living in California is the ready access to incredibly fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the easiest ways to access them is by shopping at farmers markets. LA has an incredible number sprinkled all around the city (my favorite is in Brentwood), but if you don’t have a car, don’t worry! USC brings the farmers market right to McCarthy Quad most Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m throughout the fall and spring semesters.

It’s time to take sustainability up a notch! In response to the growing climate crisis, USC’s Office of Sustainability has launched Assignment: Earth, a framework for creating a healthy, just, and thriving campus and world, with goals of carbon neutrality by 2025 and zero waste by 2028. The university is striving towards these goals with new initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics, encourage recycling, and conserve water accompanied by the Green Week campaign every fall.

Now that we’re well into the semester, you’ve likely run into the problem of going to one of the more popular study spots like Leavey or New Annenberg and finding that it’s completely full. Whether you’re stuck on campus between classes or can’t focus in your room, searching for an open seat in these places eats into your study time and leaves you with the worst spots. Next time you’re in this position, consider moving to one of these underrated study spots instead.

In my first year at USC, like many freshmen, I scrolled through the endless list of student orgs and clubs on campus and attended the involvement fair, but I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clubs to choose from and the lack of substantial information about what each club entails. I ultimately found nothing I was interested in joining. It turns out that the best way to gain insight on clubs is to talk to people who’ve attended the meetings and paid the dues.

The focus on streetwear began just thirty years ago in New York City and Los Angeles. Given USC’s prime location just blocks from downtown LA, it may seem obvious that the campus is full of people sporting unique styles or staying right on trend. With summer wrapping up and fall right around the corner, seasonal fashion pieces are starting to switch up. Here are some of the most popular fashion trends on the USC campus right now.

I was somewhat surprised when TCC began selling pizza slices this school year. I understand the pasta place next to it, but when college students already get so much free pizza from club events and campus talks, pizza that costs money better be worth it. I tried all of Slice Shop’s Pizzas and ranked them from worst to best. Here’s my take:

Starting college offered the chance to start over in a way that absolutely thrilled me, but in 2020, as I was preparing to start that chapter, I also got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Navigating my new diagnosis during a pivotal time of my life left me with a lot of whys and hows. Chronic illness was poised to take over my life and conspired to ruin my college experience.

By: Ngai Yeung ‘23

There are only so many options when it comes to on-campus dining, so it’s always exciting to see a new place pop up. A few months after Filone’s Pasta Kitchen opened, I went down to the TCC and ranked each dish from worst to best. Here’s my take on what to order (and what to avoid).

I hope everyone had a nice summer break! Just like the first day of classes is getting closer, so is the Trojan Welcome Experience! In the week before classes officially start, there’s new events every day to introduce you to the school, allow you to meet fellow Trojans, and celebrate the start of a new semester.

By: Ela Rybak ‘25

With finals around the corner, studying is at the forefront of most people’s minds. However,  you may feel stuck in a rut with study techniques that no longer feel beneficial. There are a variety of study methods, and the most effective method will depend on your learning style and preferences. Here are some general tips and strategies that may be helpful as you prepare for these major cumulative exams.

By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25

A year ago I was scouring Reddit pages and outdated advice columns in search of the “best” and “worst” places to make my new home for freshman year. Although everyone has their own biases and preferences, here is a summary of the general consensus and my recommendations for the best places to live on-campus your freshman year.