By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

As the semester brings itself to an end and some of us still find ourselves distanced from our friends and family, now more than ever, it’s important to get a little creative in the ways we keep in touch. Zoom can be used for a lot more than just classes, and although it may be tempting to just throw it away the first chance you get, it has a lot of other applications. Specifically, ones that could be used to keep in touch with friends! Curious as to what else you could be doing across your camera screen besides dozing off in lectures? Read below!

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Okay, so, self-quarantine/social distancing can be difficult for a lot of reasons — boredom, fear, loneliness — but can especially difficult if you are cooped up with the wrong sort people. You know, the kind that play loud music in the middle of the night, don’t clean up after themselves, and try to get under your skin at every turn. Trust me, I get it. The first step should always be to talk about it, to see if there’s any sort of resolution that could be reached. Suggest solutions, use “I” statements, and be direct. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t — but if it’s the latter, that doesn’t mean it’s completely hopeless. Even if the person you’re rooming with is a stubborn as a brick, you can still retain some semblance of control over yourself and your sanity, despite who may be around you.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

We’re living in some pretty weird times — not only as a school, but also as human beings in the midst of a global phenomenon. A lot of things are different and that’s kind of scary, but I think now more than ever, holding on to facts (or the closest things we know to be fact) is key to getting through this.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Spending your spring break indoors instead of on the beaches of Mexico? Cancelled that trip to Europe? No worries! There are tons of fun things you can do right from the comfort of your home. Don’t believe me? Keep reading for ten ways to keep yourself busy over spring break!

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

So, you love LA amusement parks. Or, at least one, and you go/want to go often. But tickets are expensive and annual passes are tricky. How expensive are they? Which one gives me the best benefits for the lowest price? Is it even worth it? From Disneyland to Pacific Park, from most to least expensive, keep reading to find out which pass if worth your cash.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

The USG election cycle for the 2019–2020 year has officially ended! 4,777 people voted this time around, representing 23.9% of the undergraduate student body. Were you one of them? Although not every student voted, the Senate is meant to represent all students — so getting to know the candidates is probably a good idea. Read more to find out more about each elected senator and what you can expect from them for the next academic year.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

My first week back at USC, I lost my debit card — which sucked because I had little to no cash on me and didn’t know how I was going to eat between classes. I got through the week by utilizing a variety of different resources at USC and while I didn’t record my experience at the time, I wondered — could I do it again? Finding different places to eat lunch can be difficult, but with effort, it is definitely possible. Between my Monday through Thursday classes, here is what I managed to eat for lunch (for free!) at USC along with a number of other resources I found to help individuals do so!

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

If you have ever been interviewed, or have even just talked to a career representative at a career fair, you’ve probably heard this question at the end of the conversation: “Do you have any questions for me?” Too often many of us are so grateful to have just gotten to the end of an interview, we brush past that final question, not even realizing the power it holds. I didn’t even realize until recently just how much of a tool this question can be. The right questions can turn an okay interview great, and make a great interview even better! But what exactly should you ask? What if you think you don’t have any questions? What if you just can’t think of anything? Don’t worry! Here are twenty-two easy questions that’ll be sure to aid your next interview or career fair, regardless of the type of job or how sure you are that you have “covered everything” already.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Looking to learn a new hobby for the new year? Hoping to rediscover one? If so, the Involvement Fair would have been a great place to start. If you didn’t get a chance to stroll through Trousdale during the beginning of the semester and browse the hundreds of clubs on display, it’s not too late! No matter your major or interest, there truly is a club for everyone — and I’ve laid out a few in this post for you! Keep in mind that this isn’t even a handful of the numerous clubs available at USC. From professional organizations tailored specifically to your major to cultural clubs meant to create safe spaces, there truly is a club for almost every single thing you could imagine, but out of all of them, regardless of your major, identity, or perceived talent — these are a few I think most people would enjoy.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Finals are over! Great — but maybe you feel little less than ecstatic about how you did in certain classes. If that’s the case and you could use some advice on how to lift your spirits a bit, look no further.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Fun fact: All USC students are eligible for a free subscription to HBO GO; something I wish I knew before using up three of my emails on free trials. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of finals, a quick movie break could be exactly what you need, and what better way to do so than by using the subscription USC already provides? If you are looking for some justification to stop studying and start watching — I’m giving it to you. If you want some suggestions on what you could be binging as you work your way through finals week, read on!

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Going to college, especially USC comes with a wealth of resources. Alumni, internships, job opportunities and more are all at your fingertips — but when you are a freshman coming into this completely new environment, it can be a bit overwhelming. You may feel like you need to take advantage of absolutely everything right off the bat or you might feel so overwhelmed you take part in absolutely nothing. The threat of unemployment after graduation is a constant topic of discussion and that fear can manifest itself in a really unhealthy mindset, especially as a freshman. If you feel a bit out of water in it all are just trying to find your footing in a place that is going two times your speed, this is the perfect guide to learn how to best make use of your freshman year.