By: Star McCown ‘21

Daily walks have become a staple part of most people’s quarantine routine, but taking the same walk every day for over a year can make the walk feel dull. Here are five ways you can spice up your daily walk and make it more fun!

By: Sophia Williams ‘22

Let’s face it- social distancing, quarantining and trying to get through a global pandemic has left lots of time for self-reflection. While it can be lonely at times, this period also makes room for everyone’s own personal renaissance! I’ve spent a lot of time this quarantine building my confidence and personal style, so here’s a couple tips I’ve collected for how to kickstart your rebrand and escape from the real world for a bit during quarantine.

By: Ngai Yeung ‘23

I never expected “15 hour time difference” to be an issue when I first started college; but here I am, just six months into my first year facing a most bizarre academic challenge. After trying out different methods of adjusting for a month, I’ve compiled the following list of tips for succeeding in different time zones – I hope these will help you as much as they have helped me.

By: Claire Wong ‘23

During this nationwide pandemic, we are encouraged to stay home and practice social distancing. It is something that is very isolating and separates us from the ones we love. Here are a few ways in how you can stay connected with your friends and loved ones during this time and continue growing in all relationships.

By: Ellice Ellis '20

It’s almost spring break, Trojans! Many of us have taken one or two midterms, outlined key term papers, or are gearing up to take a relaxing week off from our studies. For myself, I stress more than ever before winter break, summer break, or spring break because I try to balance relaxing and being productive before the vacation period even starts. If you’ve found yourself in this boat or are just generally stressed about school, work or life — this post is for you.

By: Antonia Le ‘22

Valentine’s Day has come and gone and here I am again: single. I’m twenty years old, and I’ve been single for twenty consecutive years. Not to sound all cringey Riverdale ~I don’t fit in and I don’t want to fit in~ but I’m one of the only people I know that has never had a serious relationship, nor have I ever kissed somebody. Being in college, where it can often seem like everyone is hooking up with everyone else, being someone who’s inexperienced in dating can make you feel weird. Even broken. But, I’ve been working on myself lately, and in doing that, I’m working on telling myself that I’m not defined by whether I’ve kissed someone or not. If you’re like me, click the “Read More” for some tips on how to stop feeling like you’re gonna be forever alone.

By: Antonia Le’ 22

It’s always daunting trying to reach out and seek mental health care. Most people have heard some criticism of USC Student Health Center, and that might scare them off from seeking the treatment that they need. However, asking for help shouldn’t be scary, and the process of seeking help should be transparent and known to all. So, if you want to know more about mental health care at USC and what you can do to make your life better, read on!

By: Antonia Le ‘22

This year, USC’s winter break lasts from December 19 to January 12, which gives students just under a month to rest, relax, and recharge before getting back on the grind. However, I know that I’d hate myself if January 12 came and I spent my entire break being unproductive. If you’re looking for something to do over winter break that will help you start the Spring 2020 semester on a good note, read onward for some tips that might help you!

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

At the end of a long day, you might put on a face mask and light a scented candle. Or maybe you draw yourself a bath and pour yourself a cup of tea to de-stress. This is what most of us would call self care. But I am going to push the boundaries here, and argue that none of that stuff is self care. It’s just the capitalist side of it. Really taking care of yourself is so much more than that, and I believe that these days more than ever, people are forgetting that. This is a time in history where the pressure to succeed is often greater than our willingness to be happy. It’s a time when being overly busy is applauded even when it comes at the expense of your well-being. You can’t just slap on a face mask and cover up for the missing hours of sleep, or the amount of adrenaline coursing through your veins from all the stress.

By: Antonia Le ‘22

Trigger warnings for mentions of anxiety, depression, and suicide.

I’m still trying to process the fact that my freshman year at USC is almost over. I’m heading into my second round of finals, and the first final I have coming up is for my 400-level math class. Right now, I’m really hoping that this past year has been a dream, and tomorrow I’ll wake up as a high school senior who doesn’t have to take a Theory of Numbers final.

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

One thing that I think is important for everyone to learn is how to enjoy your own company. I don’t mean that you have to break up with your significant other or cut ties with your best friends, but it’s good to spend time with just yourself. They say that friendship isn’t necessary for survival, but it’s what makes surviving worth it. And I agree. Friendship and companionship is wonderful and valuable. But if you can’t enjoy your own company, how can you expect anyone else to do the same?

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

Okay, I’m going to be real. When I tell people that I love to read, I often hear in response, “Oh, I do too. I just don’t have any time to read.” Which I think is a terrible excuse. (Sorry if that was the excuse you were going to use too.) But I just find a statement like that patently false. Because if you really love something, and you truly enjoy it, you would make time for it. So, just be honest: You don’t like reading all that much, so, in your free time, you’re watching Netflix. You say: No, no, no! You’ve got it all wrong! You say: I love to read. Really. I do. But after studying all day, Netflix is just the easiest way to relax. If I didn’t have to do so much reading for class, I would read for pleasure too, honest. Alright, sure. I believe you. But, I propose a challenge for you. I want to challenge you to make time to do something you love this week.