Heading into my senior year of college, I’ve finally learned the embrace that college is hard. Whether it’s a tough class or just homesickness and general overwhelm, there’s always a new challenge to work through. I guess that’s what growing up is all about. But, over time, I’ve learned one of the best ways to treat those low moments is finding small ways to make your life a little better every day.

The beginning of semester means explaining your major a bajillion times, regretting scheduling morning and night lectures, and, of course, finding time to sneak in a quick bites of your protein bar between deadlines and events. If you find yourself skipping meals, living off of vending machine trail mix, or rationing your overpriced L.A. takeout, here’s a guide to the best cheap eats in and around USC.

A new semester means new ways to get involved with one (or many) of USC’s numerous student organizations. A walk down Trousdale during the semesterly Involvement Fair highlights how there is no shortage of opportunities. While there are many social clubs––clubs that don’t require an application to be accepted––there are an equal number of pre-professional and application based clubs.

While my freshman year took place entirely online, I know what it’s like to start a new school with no friends. It can be daunting to walk up to people and start a conversation without knowing how they’ll respond.

By: Lauren Liang ‘23

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a junior Cognitive Science major looks like? Well, welcome to a Wednesday in my life this Spring:

By: Lauren Liang ‘23

If you’re anything like me, you’ve combed through USC’s course catalog more times than you can count, scouring the website for the perfect minor. After hours of deliberation, cross-checking my academic progress, and exploring required courses for a plethora of minors, I decided to declare my first minor in Digital Studies, within the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA).

By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25

Once I got accepted to USC, I made it my mission to take advantage of Annenberg’s free subscription. I religiously checked my phone to look for open seats in a class that was the perfect marriage of strategy in PR and beginner’s design, PR486: Multimedia PR Content: Introduction to Digital Design Tools. I knew this 2-unit class every Wednesday afternoon would be a welcoming experience and a reliable home base for my interdisciplinary (PR, design, and music industry) interests. After a semester kick starting my Adobe design journey, this class inspired me to pursue a minor in Communication Design at Roski and helped me establish a foundational skill set that I can list on my resume and a solid piece for my portfolio.

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Have you ever turned to tutoring, dog walking, or babysitting to earn some extra money? Have you ever wondered how to take that to the next level to start your own profitable business venture? Look no further than BAEP 450: The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship.

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

Whether you’re a business major who writes pitches, an acting major interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes, or a journalism major who just loves to write, storytelling is everywhere and in everything we do. As a Business of Cinematic Arts major who loves watching sci-fi and psychological thrillers, I took CTWR 409 just for fun, and unexpectedly came out of the class with a newly added Screenwriting minor! Here are 3 reasons why you should consider taking this class.

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

If you’re a journalism major and you’re feeling super overwhelmed and thinking about changing your major, but still like journalism - don’t worry we have literally all been there. My journalism friends and I can all attest to our second year being our “weeder” year — most of us were at difficult crossroads in deciding whether to continue in the major or not. If you feel the same way, don’t worry, I got you! Here are some tips for getting through your second year as a journalism student:

By: Kristen Adam ‘25

Ready to enter the world of consulting and casing? One way of preparing for a career in consulting is to join a student organization geared towards hands-on client projects. With multiple rounds of interviews and only so many open spots available for new members, it can be very nerve-wracking to go through the process of applying to a consulting club at USC. Here are 3 tips to help demystify the application process.

By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25

One of the most nail-biting GEs is GE-E: Physical Science. With one mention, you’re transported back into your high school biology class. Can I guarantee an easy A? No. But I can guarantee that you’ll learn theory and hard skills that are extremely valuable in the tech industry with LING 285: Language and Technology.