No matter what year you’re in, deciding where to live for the upcoming school year is always a daunting task. Whether it’s deciding to live on or off campus, finding something within your budget, or looking for suitable roommates, there are so many factors to consider in choosing a living situation. But, as incoming freshmen, it can be especially challenging. Before setting foot on campus, first-years have so much to learn, and understanding housing options is one of the first major steps into acclimating to college life.

One of my biggest fears when starting at USC was the sheer size of the student body. I went to a tiny high school where everyone knew everyone. Moving to a university with over 20,000 students, I was scared I would drown. This was one of the main reasons I joined Thematic Option – because it offered small class sizes, along with academic rigor.

At USC, most freshmen live on campus in freshman specific housing structures like Birnkrant and New North. Sophomores then have the most ease and choice in their housing because of the sophomore housing guarantee. They can choose to live in a suite-style unit in the USC Village or one of USC’s apartment complexes on or off-campus. After your sophomore year, you lose priority in USC’s housing assignment system, so most upperclassmen that previously lived in USC housing move to independent housing near campus. 

Congratulations to our newest Trojans on joining the family. I know you’re eager to get to campus, choose your dorms, and make shopping lists for the big move. Or maybe you’re just arriving in the Fall unsure of how to meet people or how to get to your classes; which dining hall has the best breakfast?

One of the most unique things about USC is its ability to draw in students not just from California but from the rest of the United States and beyond. I happen to be one of those individuals. Aside from spending a few formative years in the Netherlands, I grew up in Portland, Oregon. Although it seems just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from Los Angeles, moving to an entirely different environment has made it feel like I’m living a thousand miles away.

Making friends in college can be a difficult task, and it can also be tricky to maintain older friendships from home. I’ve picked up a few habits in my time at college to keep my long time friends close while forming new bonds as well. Here are a few tips that might help you too!

Welcome to campus, new Trojans! As the spring semester starts off, some Trojans are heading into their second semester on campus while others are just learning their way around. If you’re a Spring Admit, you’ve made it to the right place! At Trojans360, we want to help you learn about all the best spots to grab dinner, the best study spots to chill (or work) between classes, how to use Web Reg to get enrolled in classes, and give you advice on ways to get involved in the community. From insight straight from Spring Admits themselves to general tips to get familiar with campus, let our bloggers answer many of your burning questions.

I think many people can relate to the idea that a single thing about them ends up becoming their defining trait. Before coming to USC, for me, that was having a twin brother.

Attention all Marshall students! The Marshall Business Student Community (MBSC) has launched a comprehensive Marshall Handbook, a brand-new resource curated to enrich your Marshall experience.

We have all complained about the GE system at USC. Whether it’s having to read tons of books as a STEM student or remembering how to do math as a musician, GEs often put us in uncomfortable spots, take up a lot of time, and feel entirely unrelated to both our current work and our future careers. There’s no denying that there are many flaws in USC’s general education system from just how many of these credits you have to take and the money you pour into them, the lack of options with pages worth of WebReg dedicated to classes only open to certain majors, and the amount of work and expertise that can be expected in a field you have no background with. Trust me, I’ve done my fair share of complaining. But as a senior this year, I’m learning to embrace the GEs and make the best of the situation.

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: 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.