Student Blog

Surviving (and Thriving) During Finals Week: My Personal Study Tricks ⟩
November 6, 2025, by Ciara

Classes School/Life Balance

With midterm season finally ending and finals being a few weeks ahead it is officially the marathon portion of the semester. Between group presentations, essays, and late-night cramming for exams, I know firsthand how hard it is to balance studying for all your courses while also trying to keep your sanity unscathed or to put it plainly not “crash out”. Those 24/7 Leavey Library cram sessions don’t have to be the way you study for this upcoming exam session. I like to apply the “work smarter, not harder” saying to my study methods, so if you are a little stressed for this upcoming final exam period and are on the prowl for some study tips then follow along:

Have an Idea of Yourself:

My biggest advice is simpler than one would think: know yourself. This can mean various things in the study context, but I like to think about this in terms of knowing what environment works best for you. For instance, coming into my freshman year, I didn’t exactly know what environment worked best for me but through trials, I quickly learned that I don’t work best in a group studying environment. It’s not beneficial for me to spend a chunk of my study time in groups when I usually find myself getting distracted or having my mind wander amongst the different personalities in the group.

On the flip side, if you work better and are more motivated in groups, then try to organize study sessions with classmates; a great way to truly comprehend content in a group setting is trying to teach it to your friends.

Leavey Library offers study rooms that you and some friends can book; this environment is the perfect mix of group work while also not having too many distractions, so if you’re interested, you can reserve study rooms (or study pods if you like to go solo) here. Whether you like group studying or solo studying, it’s good to stick to your strengths during this final period especially with how many exams you may have during a rather short period.

My Dear Friend: Quizlet

After quite a few exam periods, I don’t know how I would survive without Quizlet. I love studying with Quizlet for a few reasons.

First, you can use it wherever you have the app. When I have downtime such as waiting in line in the Village or sitting on the Metro, I pull out my Quizlet and already start familiarizing myself with the content I’m studying.

Secondly, I feel like making the Quizlet yourself forces you to re-read notes and try to understand the content so that you can later test yourself. If you want to go beyond, I find it helpful to make practice exam questions after reading my notes and put them in a Quizlet and use the “Test” function to make my very own practice tests.

If you want to try the entire “Ciara Study Method,” then accompany Quizlet review sessions with writing and explaining concepts using a whiteboard. The combination of memorization-based studying provided by Quizlet and the visualization and active recall based studying provided by using whiteboards leaves me feeling my most confident going into exams.

Plan Ahead:

This next piece of advice may scare the community of procrastinators, but during the final period, I find it vital to plan ahead. For me, I use Google Calendar to put my exam dates and deadlines (ex: essays) in. Based on that, I can put when I should start studying for my exams, which is usually at least 3 days ahead of the exam during final periods.

If you find yourself always studying at the last minute I would highly suggest starting to start calendering or even starting out with writing To-Do lists for yourself. The last time I found myself procrastinating during final exam periods, I felt so stressed throughout the pre-exam period and during the actual exam. I felt more confident and performed academically better when I spaced out my studying amongst several days with breaks rather than doing it all in one night with no breaks, which takes me into my next point…

Take Breaks:

Going hand in hand with planning ahead, I find it essential to give myself breaks. I know the temptation to work for hours straight is strong but simply said: neither the mind nor body can run on fumes. I prefer to study amongst several days so that I naturally give myself breaks and time to enjoy college life and go explore California with my friends.

When I am running low on time, I like to do the Pomodoro technique. With the Pomodoro technique, one works in 25 minute intervals separated by 5 minute breaks and then a longer break after several intervals; the intervals characterizing the Pomodoro technique have shown benefits in improving focus, and combatting burnout and procrastination. If this technique sounds interesting to you, click here for a free Pomodoro timer. 

Studying for finals can be stressful and overwhelming but it doesn’t always have to be. These 4 main tips help me feel academically prepared for exams while still taking care of my mental health. When I manage my time correctly, study with intention, and give myself breaks, I find myself saying “bon voyage” to burnout and panic.

Good luck Trojans and future Trojans, and during this upcoming exam season remember: be kind to yourself and trust the work you’ve put in!

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Pre-OT Program: Learning and Advocating about Occupational Therapy (OT) ⟩
November 6, 2025, by Az

Getting Involved

The Pre-OT Pathway Program is an incredible opportunity for undergraduate and recently graduated students who are passionate about pursuing a career in occupational therapy. It’s the perfect stepping stone for anyone curious about what occupational therapy (OT) really is and how to navigate the process of applying to occupational therapy programs.

What makes this program so special is its structure: it meets once a month on a Saturday, bringing together students from different majors and backgrounds. Each session comes with valuable insight, featuring guest speakers (faculty members), interactive discussions, and advice from current students at USC Chan (student leads: Lilia and me!). It’s a welcoming space where curiosity meets community, and every meeting feels both inspiring and motivating.

As one of the student leads in the program, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide students through their Pre-OT journey. This leadership role has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time as a Student Ambassador at USC Chan. Alongside my fellow second-year OT student, Lilia, I help plan the curriculum, coordinate speakers, and mentor students who are still discovering what occupational therapy truly means. It’s been such a fun experience and something that strengthened my leadership, organization, and communication skills while allowing me to support and inspire the next generation of future OT students.

Being a student lead has also helped me make meaningful connections between what I learn in class and how those lessons apply in the real world. As a second-year OT student, I’m constantly learning new theories, techniques, and clinical skills that I get to share with our Pre-OT students. Each monthly session reminds me why I chose this field and it’s not just about helping people, but about empowering them to live their lives to the fullest. Seeing that same excitement and curiosity in the students I mentor keeps me motivated to keep growing, both personally and professionally.

To learn more about the Pre-OT Pathway or to sign-up, visit https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/student-life/usc-pa-pathways/, or reach out to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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My Favorite Hidden Study Spots at University Park Campus ⟩
November 5, 2025, by Avery

Community Life Hacks Living in LA School/Life Balance

Happy Midterms season, Trojans! As I am now in my third year living and studying on USC’s University Park Campus (UPC), I thought I’d share some of my favorite, and often overlooked, spots to study. Whether you’re gearing up for midterms, catching up on readings, or squeezing in those final essay pages, finding the perfect study spot can completely change your productivity (and your mood). Here are some of my favorite hidden spots at UPC to hunker down and knock it out.

Category One: Coffee shops
My favorite way to study is with a fresh iced latte and a good friend across the table. My two favorite spots near UPC for just that are Ministry of Coffee (MOC) and Eruta Nature.

Ministry of Coffee is tucked right next to the Trojan Catholic Center. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty of coffee, matcha, and pastry or lunch options to power you through the afternoon.

BONUS: Right above Ministry of Coffee is the Trojan Catholic Center library. It’s the perfect spot if you need a quieter, more peaceful place to focus. I like to take the stairs up to the library when I need to switch things up.

Eruta Nature, located inside Rock & Reilly’s in the USC Village, is another gem. By night, the space transforms into an Irish-themed pub and sports bar, but in the mornings, Eruta Nature serves up freshly baked bagels and excellent lattes. You can almost always find a table to sit at, and their coffee-and-bagel combo deals are hard to beat.

Category Two: Library Hidden Gems

Everyone already knows about the big two (Leavey and Doheny Library). These two huge libraries hold hundreds of students studying every day. However, there are some lesser-known hidden library gems on campus too.

The USC Hoose Library of Philosophy sits on the north end of campus, just above Mudd Hall. It’s hard to describe this library as anything but magical. Whenever family or friends visit campus, I always make sure it’s on the must-see list. It’s that beautiful. If you want to romanticize your study session and feel like you’ve stepped into a Disney movie, the Philosophy Library is the perfect place.
Be warned, though: it’s small, has limited hours (9 a.m.–4:45 p.m. on weekdays), and is closed on weekends. Plus, no food or drinks are allowed — so plan accordingly!

The Doheny Memorial Library Bookstacks are one of USC’s best-kept secrets. While Doheny is known for its grand, ballroom-like study rooms featured in movies and TV shows, few students venture into the quieter, hidden side of the building (where the books actually live). Just past the front desk, you’ll find the entrance to nine floors of low-ceilinged, maze-like stacks. Tucked among the shelves are secluded desks and tables that make perfect hideaways when you need zero distractions. Just don’t get lost on your way back out!

Category Three: Miscellaneous

Many students don’t realize that when classes aren’t in session, you can use empty classrooms to get some work done. I especially like studying in the classrooms in Taper Hall and DMC. It’s a bit of a gamble, as you will get asked to leave if a class starts up, but it often works well in the afternoons or evenings when the buildings are quieter. There’s something nice about having a whole classroom to yourself to focus, spread out and bring a study group, or even practice a presentation.

The Tutor Campus Center (TCC) sits right in the heart of campus, next to the bookstore and the Tommy Trojan statue. The first floor is home to several popular lunch spots that accept dining dollars, as well as the Admissions Center. But the real hidden gem is upstairs — take the grand staircase (or the elevator) to the second floor, where you’ll find several student lounges. These spaces are sometimes reserved for events, but when they’re open, they make for a perfect mid-day study spot or a comfortable place to relax between classes.

Happy studying, Trojans! I wish you the best of luck!

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Day in the Life of a First-Year E-OTD Student ⟩
November 2, 2025, by Cara

Classes Community School/Life Balance Videos

Come spend a day in my life as a first-year student in USC Chan’s Entry-Level Doctorate program! One of my favorite things about this program is that I am never bored with the curriculum. The curriculum ranges from foundational courses like philosophy, kinesiology, and neuroscience to exercising my creativity through reflective practices and crafts. No two days are alike, and I leave each class more passionate about the profession and inspired by the impact I want to make as a future practitioner.

If you have questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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OS Symposium 2025 ⟩
November 1, 2025, by Trinity

Getting Involved

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to go to the USC Chan Occupational Science Symposium focused on Embodiment, Emplacement, and Occupational Science. It was held at a great venue, the Huntington in Pasadena. I am so grateful to the people who made this event possible! It was truly an experience I will never forget!

The keynote speaker, Dr. Antoine Bailliard, gave a great talk on embodiment and emplacement and how they affect occupation. He explained that occupations are best understood through our perceptions of the world and the interconnectedness of our minds, bodies, and environments. I especially liked Dr. Bailliard’s focus on the sensory environment in our occupational experiences. When a sensory environment is familiar, it may make an experience more comfortable. It is important for occupational therapists to keep a client’s sensory needs as well as their sensory habits in mind when working with them. If you want to learn more from Dr. Bailliard, check out all of his publications!

Next, I attended a breakout session with Dr. Rebecca Aldrich  and Dr. Joy Agner, who, along with current PhD students, are studying “Third Places,” which are places that help individuals to socialize and build connections. Check here for more information into the grant supporting this research!

Similar to Dr. Bailliard’s address, the researchers stressed that environments shape experiences rather than creating the backdrop for our occupations. They highlighted a way to conceptualize these third places, my favorite of which is the importance of diverse participants.
You can read about their research in full detail here:
Dr. Aldrich and team
Dr. Agner and team

After this, we had a wonderful lunch and a walk around the beautiful grounds of the Huntington. The Huntington’s remarkable botanical gardens feature plants from all diverse regions that honor different cultures and communities. Walking around this beautiful place was a perfect break in the day.

Afterwards, Dr. Diane Parham gave a tribute to Elizabeth Yerxa, a great mover and shaker in the field of occupational therapy and a founder of occupational science. Yerxa, who passed away within the last year, did so much for the field of occupational therapy, and I am so glad I could witness this tribute. To learn more about Elizabeth Yerxa, check here!

Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen, the Elizabeth June Yerxa Lecturer, spoke on how to be an occupational therapy professional, how to be a change agent, how to be a scientist, and how to be a mentor in the context of her current research projects and the life of Elizabeth Yerxa. She researches Parkinson’s disease. My favorite quote from her lecture was “Rebel against an uncooperative environment.”

Finally, I attended the lecture of Dr. Ashley Uyeshiro Simon and Dr. Diego Lopez. They talked about the importance of having an engaging classroom environment, especially in the university context. This was a great way to end a fantastic day as it prompted ample group discussion and activity. I learned how important it can be to disrupt a predetermined set of actions in the classroom by changing the environment, expectations, or the activity.

This experience was incredibly beneficial for me as an aspiring occupational therapist. It is so wonderful to be in a room of people who all know what occupational therapy is and who all want to make the profession better. To be in a room where everyone has a vested interest in what is being shared is not an experience to take for granted, and I will cherish it as I continue on my occupational therapy journey. Remaining up to date with the latest research in the field is essential to providing the best possible care, and attending events like the symposium can be one way to stay informed.

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