The fall semester is halfway over! Midterm season is in full swing, teachers are starting to talk about final projects and papers, and Halloween is almost here! After living at USC and in downtown LA for over two years, I’ve learned a lot about all the exciting things to do off campus to get a break from school. This semester has been the most exciting yet, so I want to share the best 5 things I’ve done!
Dodgers Games
At the beginning of this school year, I was lucky enough to go to my first Dodgers game with a friend from high school! It was such a fun experience, and only a short drive from campus. The tickets were cheap, the weather was great, and the Dodgers won the game, so it was a pretty awesome night. Going to Dodgers games is always easy from campus, with quick access to the metro, and is something I look forward to doing more of next season!
Beach Bonfires
A classic of any USC organization, beach trips and beach bonfires are always a fun activity! In late September, I went to Dockweiler beach with the Society of Women Engineers and Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering organizations and met many awesome women in STEM. We watched the sunset, made s’mores on the beach, and played some fun games together! (Some of us even ran into the ocean!) Visiting the beach is always fun to do; it only takes a half hour or so to take the metro from campus to Santa Monica beach, and the weather is always perfect for a visit.
Concerts
The music scene in Los Angeles is incredible! Big artists, concerts, and festivals are always in LA! Just a week ago, I was able to go see Vampire Weekend at the Hollywood Bowl with my sister (who goes to UCLA, fight on). It’s surreal to go to a full day of classes, hop into an Uber, and an hour later be watching your favorite band perform at an iconic concert venue. It was a fun Wednesday night, and I ran into a lot of USC students at the concert (even though most of us had midterms the day after!)
Musicals
Earlier this week, I went to the Pantages Theater (another iconic venue) and watched one of my favorite touring shows, Anastasia, performed on stage! My friend, Sheetal, and I were so excited for this night, even though we both had homework due the next day (that we stayed up later that night to finish). It was an incredible experience, and with how easy it was to get a ticket and get to the Pantages from USC, we’re already looking at booking tickets for when Frozen comes into town!
Amusement Parks
I haven’t done this one yet, but I will in a few weeks (this photo is from when I went last year)! Disneyland is one of my favorite places to be, and is only an hour drive from USC! They are always so festive for the holidays, and it’s a great break from campus and a great way to spend an afternoon or a whole day. Midterms can be stressful, but I can’t wait to spend time at the happiest place on Earth! (Especially when it’s decked out for Halloween!)
Those are only the 5 BEST things I’ve done (or plan to do soon!) this semester! Living in such a busy city with amazing venues and experiences, there are always unique opportunities to spend time doing what you love! I can’t wait to finish this semester strong and see what other exciting ways I can spend time off campus with friends. Until then, happy mid-fall-semester everyone!
