By: Lanie Brice ‘24

In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of living in the US is access to public libraries, but unfortunately, most people aren’t familiar with all the things the library has to offer. While USC has plenty of incredible libraries, they’re more suited to research or a late night study session than finding the hottest new fiction release. If you made a resolution to read more for fun in 2023 like I did, don’t overlook the LA Public Library to save on books, get free movies, documentaries, magazines, music, and much more.

By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)

One of the perks of being a USC student is the wealth of discounts available to many of your favorite brands. From free streaming subscriptions to discounted or even free entrance to theme parks and museums around LA, there are many ways to save money during your time at USC.

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

The honest and terrible truth is that finding the time to plan a cute date on a budget can be extremely stressful. Suddenly, you find yourself missing out on asking out your crush because you can’t figure out the perfect place to take them. Not on my watch! Here’s five simple, fun, and affordable dates in the USC area that you can take your partner out to!

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Being gluten-free in LA should be easy. However, gluten-friendly options are still hard to come by—even in health-nut city. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to dine out with your friends for a special occasion or for when you’re too tired to cook, use this guide instead of aimlessly scrolling through Postmates for hours.

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

This Black History Month, USG’s External Affairs Committee and BSA teamed up to provide students with a taste of the local community via the first ever restaurant crawl featuring Black-owned businesses. Starting at USC and traversing the length of South Central LA, the restaurant crawl featured three restaurants that followed a three-course dinner menu perfectly curated for the eager (and hungry) college students who embarked upon this mission.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

Looking to plan a fun Disney day this semester but don’t know where to start? With frequent price changes and complicated ticket policies, it’s hard to keep up, but as a Southern Californian, I go a couple of times each year and have created the perfect itinerary to tackle Disney if you only have one day in the parks.

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

If you’re looking to go back in time through art, you’ll probably struggle to find inspiration outside of the Getty or the LACMA, known for its once Instagram trending installation. Luckily, there’s another hidden gem museum much closer to USC if you’re looking to immerse yourself in fine art, take a walk around a gorgeous pond area, or grab a bite to eat at the outdoor cafè that is the cherry on top of the Parisian vibes. It’s called the Norton Simon Museum, and it’s located just north of us in Pasadena.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

It’s my last semester at USC and the ticking of my undergraduate clock is growing louder. Without the luxury of years ahead, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do (or wish I had done) before I leave. Here’s a senior’s perspective on how to take advantage of everything USC has to offer.

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Over the last few weeks, LA has been waffling through unpredictable and uncharacteristic weather. Since the cold is much more bearable when you can dress practically, here’s my recommendations on how to stay warm for less.

By: Amy Argueta ‘25 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)

Anya Ball is the next rising DJ you need to check out. After feeling uninspired and unmotivated during her first semester in college, Ball turned to DJing as a new creative outlet. Just eight months after buying her first mixer, she already has 25 venues nation-wide under her belt, and a whole lot of future to look forward to.

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

With the holidays already upon us, you might be scrambling to think of last minute gifts for everyone on your list. This gift guide is focused on keeping gift giving affordable (everything is under $50) and heartfelt. Hopefully it will spark some inspiration to make your friends and family think you read their mind.

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

Hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan! After living on the East Coast for 19 years of my life, here’s what I’ve learned from attending college in Los Angeles, almost 3,000 miles away from home.