By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve always wanted to try out USC’s gym/exercise facilities — but for one reason or another, I just never got around to it. I didn’t think it would happen under these unique circumstances, so props to USC for finding a way to make it happen. I was pretty excited to find out they had transferred a bunch of workout classes to an online format. Besides the fact that the classes are completely free and the sign-up takes like two seconds, what makes these classes particularly great is that everything being virtual takes away a lot of the anxieties that come with working out in public. With so many different classes to choose from and an even larger group of instructors, there has to be at least one class you end up liking. So either head over to https://myrecsports.usc.edu/ right now or read up on my own experience in each class to get an idea about which might be right for you!

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Well, 2020 has been quite the year, or I guess I should say “is” since even now, we’re still going through it. Staying on top of schoolwork in a condensed semester would be a struggle regardless, but on top of our current climate, at least for me, “tough” doesn’t really cover it. Finding a balance between work and self-care is extremely difficult, but it’s also extremely important. Essential, really. Which brings me to this post: a checklist and a list of resources. Listed below are reminders and tools to so you can take care of yourself and help you get through this crazy time. If you feel you haven’t been taking care of yourself as well as you should have, this is your sign to turn it all around.

By: Talia Walters ‘20

I’m the kind of person who can spend all 16 of my waking hours lying in bed and scrolling through news articles of the impending doom du jour. In fact, you can refer back to my previous social media detox post for proof – the whole thing with Iran almost drove me mad. This whole coronavirus thing is also driving me mad. But that kind of worrying and anxiety isn’t good for anyone especially not when you’re trapped in your house, so I’ve spent some of my quarantine time curating just a list of things to do and talk about that aren’t the coronavirus.

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

Happy Galentine’s Day!! “Oh, what’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year.” “February 14, Valentine’s Day, is about romance, but February 13, Galentine’s Day, is about celebrating lady friends. It’s wonderful, and it should be a national holiday.” — Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation. If you don’t already have plans yet to set up your mother with an old flame or your best friend with… well, just about anyone, don’t worry. Whether you’re a Ron, April, Ann, or anyone in between, I’ve got the perfect Galentine’s Day activity for you!

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.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Being perfectly honest, I was never one of those people who got perfect attendance. I just couldn’t do it. At some point during the year, I’m either going to come down with something or just completely burn myself out. I’m a believer in breaks sometimes being necessary and that there is nothing wrong with them, but as college students, we do have responsibilities and we can’t just throw them to the wind at every whim. So, before you go ahead and skip that 9AM lecture because you’re feeling a bit off, run through this list and make sure you have all your pieces in place.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Simply put, saying “no” is not always easy. When being invited to things we can find ourselves constantly saying “yes” not because we actually want to go, but because we feel obligated or simply don’t think about saying how we really feel. It is important to value your time and know that you do not have to go to every single thing you are asked to be at. If you mindlessly agree to go to every event, party, or hang-out that comes your way you’ll find yourself feeling drained, lost, and scrunched for time. On the other hand, if you stubbornly resist to go out or do anything at all, spending all your time holed in one spot, you’ll miss out on so many great opportunities to meet new people and expand your horizons. What it really boils down to is: when should you say “yes" and when should you say “no”?

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

So, you didn’t get that summer internship you were hoping for… that’s okay! There are plenty of other things you can do to make your break worthwhile. Whether you’re a freshman, like me, who thinks the sky will fall if you don’t find some last-minute summer dream job or a rising senior looking for one last great resume-building experience before you graduate and step into the real world, don’t fret because I have plenty of options for you.

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

“It’s Los Angeles. It won’t rain in Los Angeles!”

…And now it’s raining. So, aside from giving in and buying an umbrella, are you at a loss on what to do? Well, as the band TOTO tells us, “take some time to do the things you never had.”

By: Lauren Brose ‘15

This year, my primary focus is my happiness. The first step to achieving this is by making your needs a top priority. A lot goes into your overall health and wellness and I feel that a blog post dedicated to this topic is long overdue. I am all about finding that inner-bliss and through these habits— many of which I have personally adopted over the past year— I can attest to what I’m saying. A healthy lifestyle is exactly that: a lifestyle.