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.

As my first semester here at USC comes to an end, I’ll say that my experience here has been nothing short of both pleasant adventures and those much-needed learning curves. So, here is a list of things I’ve learned over my time here on campus.

As someone who grew up in Los Angeles, I was hesitant to go to college in my hometown. When I was accepted to USC, I was excited but had one major concern: I didn’t expect the experience to change me very much. What would I experience in the next four years that I hadn’t already? However, from the beginning, my college experience has been extremely unconventional.

By: Carla Rubio ‘19

My name is Carla Rubio, and I am studying Theatre Production at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. I was born in San Francisco but raised in Bakersfield, CA. I am the oldest child of four; I also happen to be a twin. If you were wondering, I am a fraternal twin but my sister and I do share similar features.