Trojans 360’s Freshman Must-Reads
By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22 and Ann Nguyen ‘22
If you are a new student coming to USC in the fall, there are a couple of things you’ll need to know. From campus life, health, clubs, and more, some amazing writers here at Trojans360 have already written tons of posts to help make your first year a success. Want a glimpse? Look below!
Campus Life
My Favorite Things about USC: Wondering if you made the right choice in coming to USC? Here’s your answer: yes. To get you excited about Trojan life, here are also some of the many reasons to love USC and everything it has to offer.
Movies & TV Shows Filmed on USC Campus: Hey, is that USC? It probably is. Our campus has been featured in many TV shows and movies, including most recently Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Plenty of shoots happen all the time, so who knows when you will see some of your faves around!
Got Some Schedule Space? Here’s What to Take: The first semester of your first year of college is a pretty big deal. Many of you probably have some course plan you’re following, but maybe you shifted somethings around or do have more room to experiment with schedules. If you have some space in that schedule, check out these cool classes you can take.
Starting off Strong for a Stress Free Semester: Start off your first semester and the school year the right way. College is truly very different from high school, so learn how to balance all the newness of college with a comfortable learning experience that can lead you to success throughout the rest of your time here.
How to Make Money as a College Student: The empty wallet of a college student is no joke. Everything may seem fine at first, but soon you may find yourself struggling to get by as your supplies seem to run out quicker and quicker. Here are ways you can supplement that supply fund and maybe afford the occasional sweet treat of Starbucks drink.
Tips on How to Survive College as a First Generation Student: For all my fellow first-gen students out there, college can feel really scary. You’re in uncharted territory, and it feels like you have no one to reach out to. Well, you do. USC is building a great support system and first-gen college student community with resources to help you whenever you need.
Phone Apps Every USC Student Needs: There’s a lot to juggle in college, but these apps are here to help! From saving you a penny or two to offering cool USC student perks to managing your schedule/study time, these are the apps you should have on your phone.
Things to Do on Campus in Between Classes: There are only so many hours in a day and no one wants them to go to waste. There are some productive and/or replenishing activities you can do in between classes to make sure that time is maximized.
Quaint Areas on USC Campus: There are so many people everywhere! Sometimes you just want to chill out in a quiet little spot all to yourself. Here are some lesser-known spots around campus where you can get a little peace of mind.
USC Football When You Hate Football: USC is a huge football school — even when we aren’t doing so hot. It’s okay if you aren’t a huge fanatic though! There are still ways you can enjoy the football culture even when you hate the sport itself.
Conquest 2018: For those of you who love that football hype — or just a really great party and concert — get excited and ready for the ultimate rivalry matchup between USC and UCLA with Conquest. Whether the game is at home or away, right on campus will be lots of food, merch, and a huge concert to get everyone pumped up!
USC Springfest: Katy Perry, Migos, Glass Animals, and so many more have graced the USC Springfest stage in the past, so get ready for more amazing performances to come. Much like the big Welcome Back Concert USC has in the fall, the even greater spectacle of Springfest is another great concert experience for students around the time of Coachella. There will be more food and free swag, and, of course, great jams.
LA Life
Midwest to LA: Toto, I’ve a feeling you’re not in Kansas anymore… If you’re from the Midwest and want to know what the transition to Los Angeles life can be like, then give this a read.
College Road Trip: You may have taken your share of college road trips already to visit your potential home for the next four years, but we have all dreamt of that perfect bonding-experience and adventure on the road with college friends. Here’s some inspiration.
A College Student’s Guide to Amusement Parks Around LA: The happiest place on earth? Yep, we’ve got that. The marvelous Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Yeah, we’ve got that too and so much more if you’re looking to splurge on fun.
Things to Do on a Rainy LA Day: Those rainy days don’t happen all too often here in sunny Los Angeles, but when it rains, it pours — for days on end. Be prepared with some things to do.
Best and Most Unusual Ice Cream in LA: Yum! Who doesn’t love a little ice cream? If in search of a taste bud adventure in the delicious dairy delicacy, check out some of these cool spots.
Explore LA - Smorgasburg: Speaking of food, Los Angeles is one of the home to Smorgasburg where fusion foods are all around. It’s a great experience to try out with friends.
Explore LA - Santa Monica Pier: The site of many an Instagram picture and a family-friendly, enjoyable place to be, Santa Monica is just about a forty-minute metro ride away from campus — making it a great weekend getaway.
Arts District/ Little Tokyo Experience:If you’re looking for culture and aesthetics, watch this lovely vlog on the sights of Little Tokyo and the nearby Arts District.
Lake Arrowhead Adventures: If the great outdoors are calling your name, Lake Arrowhead might just be the perfect weekend adventure for you. Get away from the hustle and bustle of our busy city, let the stress of school wash away, and gaze at the stars. Take a moment to really enjoy the beauty of nature.
Nature in LA: If you’re looking for more ways to fill our thirst for nature exploration, there are plenty of places you can visit and experience near USC.
Health & Wellness
Counseling Services at USC: Feel yourself in a bit of a funk, but don’t know where to look for help? Search no further.
5 Ways To Destress Right Now: College can be stressful, so here are a couple of tips on how not to be!
Mindful Apps That Help With Stress & Anxiety: Want apps that will help you with your stress on-the-go? Look no further.
How To Stop Yourself From Having A Bad Day: It doesn’t matter what year you are in, learning how to turn a bad day around is always good to know.
5 Things You Need to Know about Alcohol Consumption at USC: Looking for an honest take into the drinking life at USC? This is it.
“You Can Sit With Us” - Bystander Intervention Tips: Talking about sexual assault prevention is not always the easiest topic to get into, but this post makes it so! Learn how to protect your friends and strangers with this post!
3 Sexual Health Services USC Provides: If you are paying for it you might as well know exactly what you are eligible for.
4 Ways To Stay Awake: As you move forward in your college career you might find yourself losing out on something very important — sleep. If that ends up being you and you find yourself dozing off during class, this post has a couple of tips to jolt you back awake.
An Expert’s Guide To Napping: Sometimes you need to stay awake, sure, but other times it is actually good to take a nap! Read this post for not only some helpful facts about napping but also great places around campus to take a little snooze!
Don’t Sweat It: Getting Over Gym Anxiety at USC: USC has two state-of-the-art gyms right on campus, but many do not take advantage of it due to gym anxiety. If you want to start your studies off at USC on a healthy foot, but hold a couple of reservations about exercising in public, this post has plenty of tips to get you started.
How to Make Time for the Things You Love: Do not let your studies take up your entire life! It is important to make time for the things you love and this post will show you how!
Freshman Reflection: How to Stay in Touch With Your Loved Ones During College: Leaving home does not mean you have to leave your friends behind! Read this post for insight on how you can stay in touch with family and friends.
Managing Your Time: Learning to Say No and When to Say Yes: There is always something to do at USC. Always. However, just because you can go do something does not mean you should. Need help deciding where you should and should not be going? Read this!
Learn to Love Your Own Company: Making friends is not always easy and while it might feel tempting to rake up tons of meaningless friendships just to keep yourself busy, that is not always healthy. There is nothing wrong with spending time by yourself and this post will tell you all about it!
Career
To-Do List for the Real World: Oh no! Is it really time to start being an adult? Already?! No need to worry, here’s what you need to know. USC also has plenty of resources to help.
Things to Consider When Declaring a Minor: You’re here, you’re ready to go, and you’re looking to make the most out of the next four years. A minor may be the way to go. Diversify your skill set and knowledge base by exploring a really interesting topic.
I Went to the Career Center for the First Time: Whether you have resumes and cover letters prepared or just looking for some guidance, the USC Career Center is a great place to go to enhance your job profile and prospects.
LinkedIn Tips and Tricks: It’s like Facebook but specifically for the professional, job hunting world. Many employers will look you up on LinkedIn, and you can link your profile to many job applications. A strong profile and network could really get you places, and at the very least, will get you some connections.
How to Write a Resume When You Feel Like You Haven’t Done Anything:You’re fresh out of high school, and to have gotten into USC, you must truly be spectacular! Even so, it may sometimes feel like you haven’t really done anything. No worries though because we still have you covered.
What Should Go in a Cover Letter: Woah a cover letter? We actually have to write those? They aren’t just a movie thing? Unfortunately, writing cover letters is a necessary skill, but it isn’t as confusing as it may seem.
Interview Tips for Anxious People: What’s a more nerve-racking experience than having to do an interview? It’s scary not really knowing if you’re saying the right thing or if the interviewer is reading too much into your anxious body language, but it’s okay. You’ve got this! And we have the tips to help you.
Where Trojans Find Internships: College is a great place to network, and USC certainly does open the doors to many opportunities. Here are just some of the avenues you can venture through to your next big break.
Applying for Internships With No Career Plans: Maybe you have nothing really figured out yet. That’s normal! It’s college, and you’re still young. You still have plenty of time to decide, but just because you’re not sure exactly what you want to do with your life yet, doesn’t mean you can’t still get started on an internship.
Things to Do Over the Summer Other Than an Internship:In fact, you don’t need to do an internship yet at all to further your career path! There are plenty of other ways you can gain valuable experience outside of an internship.
SC Spotlight
So…What Even is Troy Camp?: Learn about becoming a tutor, friend, and mentor for students in the South Los Angeles community!
Zoomed In On Trojan Vision: Whether you want to write, produce, or just learn about what shows USC’s student-run live TV station has to offer, this post is for you!
El Centro Chicano + Resources:Want to connect to the Chicanx/Latinx community here at USC? Read this post to learn about El Centro Chicano and all the different ways to get involved with them.
SC Spotlight: USC Taiwanese American Organization: Read this interview with some of the past executive board members of the Taiwanese American Organization to learn about what you can gain from this joining this club!
SC Spotlight: Peaks and Professors:Learn how you can connect with USC professors during outdoor trips in Peaks and Professors.
SC Spotlight: Musical Theatre Repertory (MTR): Need more musical theatre in your life? Read about USC’s theatre and music program!
Combining Conspiracy and Philanthropy with The Rabbit Hole Club: USC has a club for everything, even conspiracy theories!
The Shaukat Initiative: A Trojan Family Education: Help extend Trojan education to the children of USC faulty by becoming involved in the Shaukat Initiative!
Flight On! RPL’s Mission to Send a Rocket to Space: Think you might be interested in sending things into space? Read about RPL!
What is Motivate & Empower?: From the words of this post’s writer, “If you want to gain a sense of social responsiveness, inspire change, and help to empower local communities, this group is for you.”
My KASA Freshmen Dance-off 2017 Experience: Read about past blogger, Amy Wang’s experience in KASA Freshmen Dance-off to see if it’s something you might enjoy as well!
A Look Inside The Suspenders— USC’s Sketch Comedy Troupe:Love Comedy? You might love ’The Suspenders’ too! Read about them here to see if you’d be interested in catching a show.
Student Organization Spotlight (SOS): Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE): Want to be apart of an organization that uplifts women? Read here to learn about the club ‘Women and Youth Supporting Each Other’!
USC Involvement Fair Roundup: Don’t believe any of these clubs fit exactly your interest? No problem! Here’s a post listing a couple of more clubs you might want to join upon enrolling in USC!
If you have any questions, send us a message!
Welcome to USC, and fight on!
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