UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG

Trojans360 Articles
Keeping Friends From Home & Making New Ones: Tips to Keep Up Connections
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!
Jammin' for a Cause: USC Thornton’s MUIN425 Concert Planning Class
Rounding out the whirlwind of fall break on a dreamy Sunday afternoon, a trio of music industry students, Girls Who Cry, hosted, For the Girls, Gays and Theys charity concert at Tommy’s Place.
Student Union Cultural Centers Remodeled
On October 31, the 4th floor of the Student Union officially reopened after months of remodeling, providing the numerous cultural centers located there a home once again. Prior to this grand reopening, these groups continued to operate while finalizing the changes, including meeting in various locations within the Student Union and its surrounding USC buildings before the 4th floor space became available to the public. Now, these groups can have a regular, comfortable, and revamped meeting spot.
My Julymester in Greece
My experience studying mythology, ancestry, and oral traditions in Greece through the USC Julymester program was a profound and unforgettable journey. In preparation for the trip, we had a number of meetings to discuss course content and class materials. We were assigned various readings and podcasts to complete ahead of time to prepare for the course and the trip. Having previously taken a Greek mythology class, this opportunity allowed me to deepen my prior knowledge while immersing myself in the culture and surroundings of where these myths were formed.
The Culture of Sex - It’s Never Perfect
High school health class often serves as a crucible for adolescent hormones, as teens find themselves seated alongside one another, grappling with notions of sex, intimacy, and relationships. My own upbringing in a deeply Catholic environment meant that my teacher approached the subject with caution, emphasizing that sex was to be approached with solemnity and reserved for a context of maturity or marriage. It was framed as a sacred act, laden with moral implications.
10 Last Minute Halloween Costumes
It’s that time of year we’re trudging up the hill of projects disguised as midterms and trying to maintain that treasured “work-life balance.” The last thing on your mind is what three Halloweekend costumes you’ll need to scrounge together with accessories that may or may not come in time. So, here are some last-minute costumes that you can put together with clothes in your closet.
Want to Study Abroad Without Leaving for a Whole Semester? USC Alternative Study Abroad Options
While a traditional study abroad program might not fit into your course plan, especially if you’re a transfer student or decided on a major late, there are still a number of paths USC offers to learning outside of LA in the US or abroad. These course options that only account for one class from your fall or spring semester have less of an impact on your regular semester schedules, or if it’s an internship pathway, it might have no impact at all on your course plan. If you have the travel itch, don’t let university bureaucracy get in the way.
Shopping Locally: The USC Farmers Market
One of my favorite parts of living in California is the ready access to incredibly fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the easiest ways to access them is by shopping at farmers markets. LA has an incredible number sprinkled all around the city (my favorite is in Brentwood), but if you don’t have a car, don’t worry! USC brings the farmers market right to McCarthy Quad most Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m throughout the fall and spring semesters.
The Art of the Coffee Chat
“You should be doing coffee chats!” –– everyone, as soon as you enter college.
Everyone is a big advocate for doing coffee chats, but in my experience, nobody ever tells you how to go about doing coffee chats or even what a coffee chat is supposed to be. If you’ve run into this same predicament, this guide is for you.
Introducing the New Marshall Handbook: By Students, For Students
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. Who better to understand the needs and questions of an undergraduate student than a fellow student? The Marshall Handbook is a guide written for students, by students: the handbook ensures that every Marshall student has access to the collective wisdom of their peers.
Finding a Minor: Documentary and Web Development Specialization
One of USC’s greatest benefits is that virtually any field of study that piques your interest is available for you to pursue in greater detail. While having access to so many different opportunities is exciting, it can also be challenging to narrow down and choose what discipline best suits you. Conversations with your peers and gaining insight from other students can help narrow down your search. That's why I’m here to share with you why I chose to minor in Documentary at SCA and specialize in Web Development at Viterbi!
How to Live, Laugh, and Love Through Midterm Season
Ahhh… that time of year strikes again. You’re balancing flu season, football tailgates, DoorDash fees, and, of course, all your classes that seem to have midterms that land in a two-day period. Although you can’t change your unfortunate testing schedule, here are some ways to live, laugh, and love through this nail-biting, anxiety-inducing, and heart rate spiking few weeks.