Like the freshman fifteen, there are a few things you can expect to happen during the start of your college career. At the beginning, I thought that secondhand stories and research about college life had prepared me for it all. I knew I would miss my home and my old friends. I could count having conflicts with my roommates and struggling with balancing work and fun. But during my second semester at USC, one thing I hadn’t planned to encounter snuck up on me— an OCD diagnosis.  

Are you a pre-med student struggling to memorize anatomy terms? Do you read your notes but find it difficult to remember them when it’s time for the test? One tool that I’ve used all through college is Remnote. Remote is a note-taking software that automatically creates flashcards as you type. Remnote makes it easier for you to retain and recall information when it matters most—on test day.

I recently did a student panel for SCA Admissions with prospective students and felt like I was transported to freshman year. I remember what it felt like to be a freshman in SCA. You are fed compliments about how you got into one of the best film schools in the country, itching to be on set, and daydreaming about winning an Oscar. I don’t mean to come off as a debby-downer when I say this, but the reality is that most students enter SCA with a strict plan on where they want to be after college is over and then a few semesters into the program realize that their initial path isn’t what they want anymore.

Dreaming of a career in civil engineering where you’ll design sustainable cities, build essential infrastructure, and lead impactful projects? If you’re looking for a club that brings these ambitions to life, meet the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at USC. In this Club Spotlight, I’ll dive into everything ASCE offers. Get ready for the inside scoop on how ASCE can launch your journey into civil engineering!

When I was a senior in high school, USC was my dream school. It had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember since so many of my family members were alumni. Unfortunately, I was rejected, and it was a tough blow. It took me some time to recover from that disappointment, but I soon realized that attending USC could still be within reach when I learned about the Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP). At the time, TTP was offered to a select group of students, giving us the opportunity to study at one of five USC-accredited universities in Europe.

Did you know the average bagel has a history as rich as its flavor? Originating in 17th-century Poland, bagels have traveled the world to become a breakfast (and anytime) staple, especially here in LA, where creativity and quality shine. If you’re craving a bagel that’s perfectly chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, look no further. This roundup features some of the best bagel spots I’ve discovered in Los Angeles, each offering something unique.

The Trojan legacy is deeply rooted in the prominence of the football team: gameday traditions, tailgating, and everything surrounding USC athletics. Established in 1888, USC Trojans football has claimed several national championships, 55 bowl appearances, and over 800 wins as of 2024. This football team made their first collegiate appearance in 1889, taking victory 40-0 against St. Vincent’s College. Today, all USC home football games take place at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, commissioned in 1921 as a tribute to veterans of World War I and is a site of 3 Summer Olympics.

Yes, I am majoring in sociology, but boy, do I love money as much as the next person pursuing computer science for that fat check. It is perhaps the very fact that I am pursuing a traditionally less lucrative major that I feel the need to throw myself into whatever opportunities possible to make the most of my grand fee to be at this school. 

You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve woken up just minutes before my 8:00 a.m. class. After rushing through the essentials and stepping out of my dorm, that familiar sinking feeling hits me: I’m a good 15-minute walk from class. If I try to avoid showing up sweaty, it’s more like 20 minutes. Inevitably, I find myself walking in 10 minutes late, awkwardly squeezing into the only available seat right in the middle of the room, having all these eyes staring at my sweaty self.

For those who’ve tried Notion, physical planners, or just Google Calendar, sometimes it can be hard to choose and stick with a platform for that one-stop place for all your tasks. For me, since freshman year, I've created a google sheet listing out all of my assignments and deadlines for the semester and it's been a game changer. 

December is the month of changes—winter beginning (with 80 degrees weather, but so be it), grades coming to a close (scarier in the short-term than climate change), students returning home (although this is probably less exciting if your home is nearby) and the year coming to a close.

It’s peppermint season, and you know what that means: new Starbucks holiday items. Every year, Starbucks releases new treats to celebrate the holiday season. This year, they released on November 7, and are set to leave stores in mid-January. Among the new delicacies are a seasonal refresher — the Cran-Merry Orange refresher — and a new pastry — the Dark Toffee Bundt. I tried them so you don’t have to, and by the end of the article, you can decide whether you’ll indulge in the new snacks or just stick to the peppermint basics.