If you haven’t figured out your housing for next semester, you might be feeling panic or anxiety. With groups of roommates signing leases before the fall semester is over for the following year to get the prime apartments, it’s easy to feel swept up in making rash, impulsive choices in the name of having housing for next year. But the housing situation around USC is pretty bleak. There are a few major companies that seem to own all the available apartments and houses. They all offer unfavorable terms, sky-high pricing, and a slew of bad reviews on Yelp.

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!

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.

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

1. Bring Something to Do: Long car or metro rides can easily become a bore, especially when you’re listening to the same songs over and over again on the radio. So whether you’re taking public transportation or driving, create a playlist with a variety of music to help alleviate the morning commute…

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

1. Perch: Enjoy a beautiful view of Los Angeles with fine French gourmet dining at the Perch. Their menu offers a variety of dishes like “Filet Mignon au Poivre” and “Steak-Frites.” They also have a variety of wines and hand-crafted cocktails.

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

One of my favorite local coffee houses, Groundwork Coffee makes you feel like you’re lounging in your own living room. My favorite drink is the chai latté with their very own homemade whipped cream. If you’re looking for an extra kick of caffeine ask for the “dirty chai.” For some powerfood try one of their salads or my personal favorite is the toasted ham and cheese croissant…

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

Don’t let finals week take a toll on your health. Here is a curated list of my favorite healthy joints in DTLA that will have you feeling refreshed and focused.

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

As midterms approach Trojans 360 has got you covered. Here is a curated list of the top 8 cafes to study in Downtown Los Angeles and help you power through midterm frenzy.

By: Paul Samaha ‘17

This past weekend I turned 21. I had a great birthday (aside from the loss to Stanford) with great friends and even some family that flew in town from Virginia to visit me. While part of me is terrified of getting any older and wants to freeze time where it is, I’m mostly just excited to be able to explore new areas of USC and the nearby LA area that I couldn’t explore before! Below are some nearby places I can now legally enter/order from that I couldn’t before.