USC’s first ever Fall Break was a few weekends ago, and every student collectively breathed a huge sigh of relief—myself certainly included. My midterm schedule this semester has been both forgiving and unforgiving; although I’ve had no real heavy weeks of work, my tests have been spread out enough where I’ve had one or two almost every week throughout my …
4 Ways to Maximize Fall in L.A.
So you may have heard that Los Angeles doesn’t experience seasons… I’ll admit that this is halfway true. We don’t get snow or as many changing trees as other parts of the country, but we do get some chillier weather and our favorite fall traditions! Here are five ways to enjoy the fall in Los Angeles. Whatever team you claim …
A Summer to ReMEMber: Microelectronics, Drones, and Surfing
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I think that’s exactly why this summer came and went to quickly! It’s hard to believe that in less than a week I’ll be starting my junior year (*screams because college is going too quickly*). This was an incredible summer, and I’m really excited to share what I was up to …
Two Years Later: Reflecting on Why I Chose USC
It blows my mind that a little over two years ago I decided that I’d be attending USC. The last two years have gone incredibly fast; it’s crazy (and a bit scary) that I’m already halfway done with college. This year has been even better than my freshman year, and as I reflect on that decision I made two years …
A Week to Reset (and Surf)
It’s crazy to think that we’re already more than halfway through the semester! The last two months have flown by and been incredibly memorable, I can definitely say I beat the so-called “sophomore slump.” Myth busted! The semester has been so fast-paced that I’ve barely had time to relax, and though I enjoy everything I’m involved in, really like my …
Loic’s Guide to Spring Break
Spring break is arguably the best out of all the breaks during the academic year. Thanksgiving break happens right before finals, so many students decide to sacrifice their free time to catch up on learning and finish up projects. Winter break is excruciatingly long and cold for some, and unless you can afford a trip to Bali, good luck. Spring …
Slow Times at Slo
My friends from high school went to different schools which makes visiting them such a fun experience. My junior year I was able to visit my friend Alex in Boston and I have had countless trips up to SLO to visit these friends! Every school and city offers such an interesting experience from eating at local restaurants or adventuring out …
My Completed LA Bucket list (so far!)
I’ve been in Los Angeles for nearly a year and a half now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced many different places and events around here. Here is a list of my favorite things to do in LA (so far)! Fun Events: Los Angeles is the international capital of entertainment, and this is reflected in the sheer number …
Saving the Best for Last!
Hey hey! IT’S MY LAST! SEMESTER! AT! USC! It still feels so strange saying that out loud, time has honestly flown by. I’m trying to balance my time between finishing up my coursework, transitioning organization leadership positions, hanging out with friends, and some necessary self-care/self improvement. I wanted to write a quick post about the things I’m looking forward to …
San Diego: Beaches and Biotech
A three-day weekend at the beginning of the semester is an ideal time to relax and have fun with friends before everyone gets busy. For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I traveled with a couple friends down to San Diego. One of them lives in San Diego, which meant that we had a place to stay and a car! By …
New Semester, New Opportunities
This semester definitely got off to a fast start! As I write this, I’m in the midst of preparations for two midterms and am writing my first Thematic Option paper of the semester. My classes this semester are all extremely interesting, I’m taking my first two Mechanical Engineering classes (statics and thermodynamics), along with differential equations, a course on French …
Winter Break Rocks
Right after finals last semester, I jet-setted off to Utah where I got to visit two national parks! I had never been to Utah before, and I’ve wanted to visit for as long as I can remember . I even let my boyfriend/personal photographer tag along! (He also studies mechanical engineering at USC…both beauty and brains, folks!) Our first day …
Reflecting on Senior Year Fall!
Hey guys! Thanksgiving break has been soo good to me. I truly needed a refresher from the routine of school, it was honestly wearing me down a lot. While this semester has been incredibly fun and memorable, senior year has come with its fair share of existential crises, really tough classes, constant caffeination, and many late nights. That being said, …
Freshman Me vs. Sophomore Me
I am a sophomore who is teaching assistant, otherwise called Freshman Academy Coach, for the engineering course that all freshmen are required to take during their first semester at USC. The purpose of the class is to guide freshmen through their transition to Viterbi and college as a whole. From this experience, I am reminded of all the little details …
My Senior Year To-Do List
I still catch myself stumbling over my words when I tell someone “oh yeah, I’m a senior!” Senior year is officially here and we are back on the grind. These first few weeks have already flown by so quickly, with classes, involvement fairs, and catching up with friends. This semester, I’m taking two grad classes, since I’m pursuing my Masters …
Taking a break from LA!
Hey hey! It’s been a minute since I posted on here, summer was ridiculously busy but so much fun. I spent my summer interning at Edwards Lifesciences, a biotech company based in Irvine, CA– I worked as a manufacturing engineer in their Transcatheter Heart Valve Delivery Systems business unit, specifically on Pilot Operations. A lot of big words, I know, …
The ABC’s of Sophomore Year (Açai Bowls, Being Adventurous, and Career Preparations)
Sophomore year is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier to be back on campus! Though the first few weeks have been fast-paced and challenging, they’ve also been rewarding and fun. I’m really excited to share some of the things I’ve been up to with you all, keep reading to discover my culinary endeavors, gameday experiences, and how I’ve …
Things I Conquered this Summer: Mountains, Oceans, and Lyophilizers
Shuntaro is a junior studying Chemical Engineering. Lover of nature and Game of Thrones. Click above to find out more.
“A Little Bit of Everything” Kind of Summer
The summer after my freshman year was a perfect blend of work, travel, and time spent relaxing at home. For the first seven weeks, I resided at USC to work in Professor Zavaleta’s research lab. As mentioned in my last blog post, Professor Z’s lab investigates the use of nanoparticles in detecting tumors with great precision. Every week day, I …
Adventure is Out There: Exploring LA as a Midwesterner
Until I visited USC last March, I had never been to Los Angeles. When I arrived in LA for my campus visit, I knew very little about the city beyond its idyllic depiction in La La Land, a movie which left me excited to have those quintessentially LA experiences seen in the film. After my visit, I realized why all …