UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG

Trojans360 Articles
The BEST Finals Study Tips & Tricks
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
With finals around the corner, studying is at the forefront of most people’s minds. However, you may feel stuck in a rut with study techniques that no longer feel beneficial. There are a variety of study methods, and the most effective method will depend on your learning style and preferences. Here are some general tips and strategies that may be helpful as you prepare for these major cumulative exams.
Day in the Life of a Cognitive Science Major
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:
Why I Decided to Minor in Digital Studies
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).
I Believe the Journalism Curriculum Needs to Change: How Annenberg Can Better Serve Journalism Students
By: Tamanna Sood ‘24
Annenberg is and will always be my home here at USC. I love the school, and I will forever be grateful for the fact I’m able to attend this institution. However, throughout my time here, I’ve uncovered plenty of cracks in the program. Hopefully, one day, Annenberg can make changes to become even better.
Freshman Dorm Reviews: 2023 Edition
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A year ago I was scouring Reddit pages and outdated advice columns in search of the “best” and “worst” places to make my new home for freshman year.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.
Advice for Navigating Tense Roommate Situations
By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25
As much as university life means curating consistent health and study habits while being independent of your family, it also welcomes in living with another person striving for the same goals. While the honeymoon phase of school begins when we’re eagerly attending welcome events, debriefing afterward, bonding over coffee, and much more, it’s inevitable to have some level of conflict throughout the school year. To nip possible tense situations in the bud, here are words of advice to navigate a co-living life:
Come With Me to Hecho in LA
By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
This past Saturday the USC Latine Student Assembly organized Hecho in LA, an event meant to celebrate Latine culture through food, music, and artists. In McCarthy Quad, various Latine owned student and non-student vendors sold art, clothes, jewelry, and more. Various stalls also sold food from all over Latin America from Mexico to Peru to El Salvador.
Reviewing Nearby Coffee Shops in LA to Work From
By: Ani Antonyan ‘24
Tired of studying at Leavey Library? Need a change of scenery and to get off campus? Exploring LA and trying nearby coffee shops is a great way to motivate yourself to get started on that project you’ve been dreading or devote yourself to a study session. So grab your laptop, your TAP card, and computer charger, and get ready to power through a few hours of studying and crunching assignments at these great nearby coffee shops!
Attending APASA’s “A Conversation with Stephanie Hsu”
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
For those of you who missed it, the legendary Stephanie Hsu came to campus on April 5th. During the presentation, she shared her personal story of navigating the acting industry from theater to commercials to Everything Everywhere All At Once. In light of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, the topics of the conversation included navigating the film industry as an Asian American, creative expression through characters like Joy in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and, moving forward, the expansion of storytelling in cinema to be more inclusive and genuine.
I Want to Change My Major…Now What?
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Changing your major is one of the many daunting and explorative aspects of college, but it’s not as uncommon as you think it might be. In fact, I changed mine twice! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided to change your major, but how does the process work? Here’s a step by step guide to embarking on a new academic journey.
PR486: A Beginner’s Guide to Design Breaking Down The Adobe Suite
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.
LA Gems: Exploring Modern Art at The Broad
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
I left The Broad feeling inspired, excited, and giddy about art. As a writer, not a visual artist, I still felt the magic of creation transferring from these paintings into my brain and offering inspiration to rededicate myself to my own work. I can see myself returning for many more trips before my time at USC is up, and I couldn’t recommend making the trip to the museum before you leave school as well.