Navigating Your First Year as a Trojan: A Quick Guide for Freshmen and Transfers
by Lanie Brice ‘24
Welcome, newly minted Trojans! This week, you’ll be packing your bags in your childhood bedroom and unpacking them in your brand new dorm room or apartment in Los Angeles. As you navigate a new school and possibly a new city, you’ll naturally have heaps of questions. Here at Trojans360, we’re here to help you choose the right dining hall, find your way around campus, and calm your nerves about everything being so new. From finding the ultimate study spot to looking for solace in someone who knows exactly how you feel, here’s a collection of articles from Trojans past and present to guide the way.
Getting to Know Campus
A Self-Guided Tour to USC’s Campus
If you’re stepping foot on USC’s campus for the first time this fall or need a refresher after your first campus tour long ago, this self-guided, customizable, written tour of campus will help you get your bearings before your first day.
Freshman Dorm Reviews 2023
Now that you have your dorm assignment in your inbox, you’re probably anxious to know what to expect. Here’s the pros (and the honest cons) of each of USC’s dorm buildings so you know what to expect.
Secrets of Doheny Library
Doheny Library is only one of USC’s many libraries, but being at the heart of campus and one of the most picturesque, it’s worth getting to know early on. This article will hep you unlock its hidden gems.
What to Bring (and What Not to Bring) to Your Freshman Dorm
Every Trojan made some packing mistakes when we first came to USC, and we want to help you avoid that if possible.
Everything You Need to Know About USC + Food
Four Freshman Dining Hall Food Hacks
As a first year, you’ll be spending tons of time in the dining hall. While they have tons of great meals ready to go, here’s some unique ideas on how to use what’s in the dining hall to make exciting new meals.
A Guide to Campus Dining Halls
USC has so many dining halls that it can be hard to know where to spend your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. While I encourage you to eat your way through all of them, here’s a quick round-up of where to go for the best of each meal depending on your cravings.
Overnight Oats: The Perfect College Breakfast
If you’re worried about not having time to eat or space to make breakfast but know it’s the most important meal of the day, Hannah has the perfect answer: overnight oats. Here’s how she makes them with ingredients available on campus.
Pizza Please Brings a New Affordable Spot to the Village
If you’re looking to eat at the Village, there’s an abundance of options. Here’s an introduction to one of the newest (and most affordable) spots to grab a quick bite.
All The Feelings
What I Learned From My Freshman Year
From ways to prioritize self-care and intentional downtime to realizing that you still have so much time left to grow to tackling the involvement fair, Claire gives some seriously great advice on approaching your freshman year.
The Socially Anxious Freshman’s Guide to Thriving
Anxiety is a natural feeling in the face of so much change. If you’re an anxious person or just anxious about this transition, let this article address your worries and put them at ease.
Freshman Year: Expectations vs. Reality
From living off ramen noodles to absolutely crumbling under the workload, there’s a lot of stereotypes about college that aren’t so great. Luckily, Natalia is here with a reality check.
Five Pieces of Advice I’d Give My First Year Self
From a pre-med student coming from out of state, this article offers advice on having a smooth transition to USC, especially from an academic point of view.
Advice from a Second Semester Senior
Take it from a senior, there are amazing parts of USC that we’re all guilty of overlooking. There are just so many things to do on and around campus! But make sure you don’t miss out with this overview.
The Miscellaneous
What’s in my Backpack?
What you packed in your high school backpack and what you’ll need for college are pretty different. If you’re not sure what to bring to your first day of classes, here’s a glimpse into one Trojan’s bag.
A List of Discounts and Free Subscriptions as a USC Student
If we’re being honest, one of the best parts of being a college student are the deals. I’m personally going to be devastated when my Spotify student subscription ends next summer. Don’t miss out on the deals with this round-up.
Don’t Be Afraid to Drop That Class: Advice for Add/Drop
Last but not least, navigating college classes where you have so much autonomy over your schedule can be a huge change. But if you’re lecture that gives you a bad feeling, this article is here to promise you it’s okay to pivot.
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Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
