By: Sydney Henry ‘24

I’m pretty sure we’re all glad that 2020 is nearing its end because this year has been ROUGH!!! I know it’s hard to be optimistic about what positive vibes 2021 might bring for us. So how can you bring that optimism back? Try creating a mood board for 2021 to guide yourself through the changes coming in the new year.

By: Celine Vazquez ‘24

As health officials work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles, many of the precautions they’re taking are affecting eateries. All restaurants in LA County were forced to close their outdoor dining. It’s important to follow these rules to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it’s also important to support local businesses and the people employed there. The best way we can support these small businesses is by ordering take out! Not only is this a safe way to devour delicious food, but it also helps local restaurants stay open. Here’s a list of my favorite eateries in/near LA that you can support!

By: Nathan Vogel ‘21

Craft on!

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

Your personal computer is probably going to be your most used asset (and biggest investment) when you’re coming into college. While there is a myriad of options to choose from in a booming tech world, let’s focus on two broad categories: Chromebooks and Laptops.

By: Antonia Le ‘22

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything has gone virtual, even the good old internship. With nowhere else to go and nothing to do, I spent most of my Fall semester doing virtual work in conjunction on top of my academic studies. So, here are some quick tips for balancing a full-time course load with a part-time internship:

By: Antonia Le ‘22

For starters, if you’re looking for a simple “Yes” or “No” question, I’m suggesting that you ask literally anybody else. As with every question related to the workforce, answering this question is complicated, and I know that the answer is different for every field.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

With the raging pandemic and social distancing, it can be increasingly difficult to have meaningful interactions with friends and family. Perhaps your best friend, whom you previously saw every day, is halfway across the country in a different time zone, and, now that you’ve moved back home, the parents you missed are breathing down your neck and nagging about grades and future plans. Whether it’s due to the increased distance or the lack of any distance, your relationship dynamics have changed. To improve relationship quality and promote mental well-being, you should make the time to find ways to check in with your loved ones and show them you care.

By: Claire Wong ‘23

Amazon has thousands and thousands of products for college students and dorm rooms. Whether you are living at home or at a small apartment in Downtown LA, here are some fun and practical gifts to add to your wish list this holiday season.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

With a lot of us still stuck at home, fitness has been a popular topic this year — everyone trying to make the best out of their situation. I’ve made a post about fitness/working out before, but I recently became aware of another option for students: WORK. USC Rec Sports partnered with WORK to bring you even more workouts. WORK offers not only live (everyday but Sunday), but a collection of pre-recorded videos for constant access. Not limited by a schedule, students can have full control over when you’d like to work out, even past the semester. While there are a collection of free classes available, WORK and USC Rec Sports is offering a 70% discount for USC students to total in at $25 a month.

By: Celine Vazquez ‘24

This semester has been far from easy, and pushing through finals season has seriously taken a toll on all of our mental health. After finals are finished, it’s important for us to take a step back and take care of our minds! Here are just a few ways you can mentally recharge after finals, so you can be ready to have a wonderful, relaxing break. Let’s get started, Trojans!

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: Claire Wong ‘23

With COVID-19, there are not many restaurants open with dine-in options. It is already super limited to travel affordably as a student without a car. Here are some of my favorite restaurants with great outdoor seating options that are super accessible (via Metro or walking distance) and very local to the USC area!