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Life Hacks

USC’s Hidden Gems: My Favorite Study and Rest Spaces ⟩
August 8, 2026, by Makayla

Life Hacks School/Life Balance

As a recent graduate of USC, I wanted to share my now un-gatekept and hidden gem study and rest spaces on the University Park Campus. For me, the best places that I like to study or hang out in between classes are in areas with an open view of nature and plenty of plugs for charging, while prioritizing spaces that have close proximity to a microwave to heat up my lunch. Many of the popular places to rest on campus are great but many times are crowded. In the midst of all the busyness that comes with being on a college campus, there is no shortage of places to hang out around campus to find your peace and quiet! Finding the right environments, niche spaces for alone time, and your go-to places are essential for creating healthy routines that you can stick with throughout college.

School of Cinematic Arts 3rd Floor Rooftop
This is the perfect place that allows you to take in the rooftop views of the School of Cinematic Arts, with some shade to study or hang out with friends. Also on the 3rd floor, are indoor study spaces and a small area where students can use a microwave and a sink as well!

RestSC
This space is nestled in the University Religious Center (URC), and it is a space dedicated to resting and recharging. Here, there are couches, pillows, and moon pods, which are zero-gravity beanbag chairs. They also have a smaller space similar to RestSC with beanbags and blankets located in the library in the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs (DMC) as well. I have frequented this space many times to take a quick nap between classes!

Annenberg Digital Library
This corner space tucked in the Annenberg Digital Library is a great place where you can work with your laptop propped up with the pillow or even take a nap while enjoying the view of the Allyson Felix Field or people-watch out of the corner windows. Plus, they even have shades that go down for privacy.

Career Center Interview Rooms
In the basement of the Career Center in the Student Union, you can find the interview rooms where you can book one of their many private rooms. I have come down here to take calls, interviews, work between classes, or sometimes catch some nice AC during a hot day! You can either reserve a room beforehand using their reservation room requests, or they take walk-ins as well. I would take these spaces over any Leavey Library study room any day because you can take all the time that you need, and you don’t have to worry about anyone interrupting you.

School of Dramatic Arts: Dick Wolf Drama Center
Just behind Taper Hall is the School of Dramatic Arts, where a lounge is located downstairs in the Dick Wolf Drama Center. Here is a nice place with a mix of natural lighting and dim lighting to hang around, eat your lunch, or study. They also have vending machines and microwaves to heat up your food too!

Doheny Library Faculty Hall and 2nd Floor
Across from the main library area in Doheny Library is Faculty Hall, which is my go-to place to catch up on work on a Sunday morning. This area has plenty of tables with nice cushioned chairs and plenty of plugs for charging. I like this place because you get the natural lighting from the windows that face the Alumni Park, and the square tables are nice for quiet group studying as well. I will warn, though, that it does fill up with people throughout the day, so I recommend saving your seat at a table when the library opens. The 2nd floor is also a great option, too!

4th Floor Taper Hall Lounge
Now this lounge is one that I stumbled across when I was randomly exploring the 4th floor of Taper Hall. This lounge belongs to the USC Dornsife English Department, and it is a great nook to hang out before going to a class in Taper Hall. Here, I like to take in the view of Trousdale Parkway, and there is a microwave and fridge as well; it’s perfect for heating your lunch in between classes. There is also a 3rd floor lounge for Academic Innovation & Research Engagement that is also a great place to study with board games and coffee too.

Price Student Lounge
On the first floor of the Price School is their student lounge that has many couches and cubicles. Again, there is a microwave conveniently located in here, and this lounge leads you to the courtyard in between Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD), another nice outdoor space as well.

USC’s Student Equity and Inclusion Programs (SEIP) Centers

Within the Student Union and Ronald Tutor Campus Center are USC’s SEIP Centers that house seven different student development centers and three culturally affirming lounges. These places are not only great spaces to hang out, study, or heat up your lunch, but they offer programming that strives to support many students’ identities. While many of these spaces on campus go unnoticed, these were my first stop in terms of getting connected to resources on campus. I even got the chance to work at one of these centers, which was at the Asian Pacific American Student Services. Especially because many spaces have been newly renovated, it has been a place where I have found my community through different programming that offers peer mentoring, professional development, networking opportunities, and several intersectional, community-building opportunities. The Occupational Science Minor Department even does Anti-Procrastination Cafes at many of USC’s SEIP Centers during finals season as well!

2nd Floor Tables at Ronald Tutor Campus Center
Last, but not least, are the 2nd Floor Tables at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center just outside of the First Generation Plus Success Center (FG+SC). These tables are just upstairs from some food options, and they are in the shade with plugs for charging, which is an added plus.

Bonus: Health Science Campus Spaces
I have also spent some time on the Health Science Campus (HSC) when I took a couple of classes and volunteered at Keck Hospital in the past, so here are some added HSC spaces that I would definitely check out if you are ever up there.

Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute
The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute is just right across from the Intercampus (ICS) UPC-Union Station-HSC Bus Stop, and if you take the elevator up, you can find a few different floors with indoor and outdoor seating. I have frequented these floors if I am waiting for the shuttle bus to arrive, and it is also a great place to catch the sunset, too!

Donald W. and Kathryn Shaw Graduate Student Lounge
This lounge is located in the Keck School of Medicine, and it is a HUGE space with tables, cubicles, cushions, outdoor seating, and a kitchen with a fridge and microwave. This is the perfect place to stop in for lunch or squeeze in that last bit of studying before heading to class.

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An International Student’s Guide to Learning to Drive in Los Angeles ⟩
March 20, 2026, by Angel

Housing and Transportation International Life Hacks Living in LA

For many international students, relocating to Los Angeles means navigating far more than a new academic environment. It involves adjusting to a vast city shaped by freeways, long distances, and a culture where mobility is closely tied to independence. Among the many transitions we face, learning to drive often becomes one of the most defining milestones because it gradually transforms into a symbol of confidence and belonging.

For many students, the journey toward becoming comfortable behind the wheel reflects a deeper experience. It blends uncertainty, determination, and the satisfaction of mastering something that once felt intimidating, sometimes while gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.

The DMV: A Rite of Passage
The first step in this journey is often the most intimidating. The DMV is known for its long lines, complex requirements, and unpredictable outcomes. For international students, the experience can feel even more daunting because it requires navigating documentation, identification rules, and procedures that differ significantly from those in our home countries.

Yet this stage also becomes a point of connection. Standing in line with other students, comparing paperwork, and exchanging stories turns the DMV into a shared rite of passage. It is the one place where everyone silently agrees that we have no idea what is happening, but we are all trying our best.

Luckily, we need all the convenience we can get, and several DMV locations are conveniently close to USC Chan, which means students can get to their appointments and practice sessions without feeling like they are embarking on a cross‑county expedition.

Developing Skill Through Consistent Practice
Driving in Los Angeles presents its own unique challenges. The city’s fast paced freeways, complex intersections, and dense traffic patterns require patience, repetition, and a willingness to learn through trial and error. Many students find themselves practicing in the same neighborhoods repeatedly, gradually becoming more comfortable with the rhythm of the roads, and occasionally discovering a new café purely because they missed a turn.

Working with instructors further strengthens this foundation. Their calm presence and structured guidance help students refine technique, correct unsafe habits, and build confidence. A particularly effective strategy is narrating each action aloud, a method that reinforces awareness and demonstrates intentionality. It may feel awkward at first, but saying “checking mirrors” out loud is surprisingly grounding, even if your instructor already knows you have mirrors.

The Moment of Passing
Receiving a passing score on the driving test is more than an official achievement. It represents resilience, adaptation, and the ability to navigate a system that once felt overwhelming. Whether the test resulted in three errors or ten, the outcome is the same. Students gain a new sense of independence and a tangible reminder that growth often happens in unfamiliar territory.

For many, the celebration is simple. It is a drive thru meal enjoyed alone or shared with friends after the test. Sometimes the victory meal is joyful, sometimes it is reflective, and sometimes it is simply because the adrenaline crash makes you hungry.

Practical Tips for International Students Learning to Drive
Learning to drive comes with plenty of humor and unpredictability, but a few practical strategies can make the process much easier:

1. Practice near your DMV. Test routes are often located within the same neighborhood.
2. Narrate your actions while driving. Statements such as “checking mirrors” or “slowing down” help maintain focus and demonstrate awareness.
3. Review traffic signs thoroughly. Pay attention to uncommon or situational signs that may appear during the test. For example, keep an eye out for the ‘No Left Turn Between 3 and 7 PM Except Sundays’ sign, which feels like it was designed specifically to test your problem‑solving skills.
4. Approach four way stops with confidence. The first vehicle to stop proceeds first, and hesitation can create confusion.
5. Match freeway speeds when merging. This ensures smoother transitions and safer entry onto high speed roads.
6. Bring all required documents and extras. Unexpected requests are common, and additional documentation can prevent delays.
7. Stay calm. The driving test evaluates safety rather than perfection. Even seasoned drivers occasionally forget which way to turn their wheels on a hill.

Why This Milestone Matters
Learning to drive in Los Angeles is not merely about transportation. For international students, it is a testament to adaptability, courage, and the willingness to step into discomfort. It reflects the broader journey of building a life far from home, one filled with challenges, small victories, and moments of unexpected pride.

At USC Chan, we often talk about growth as something that happens through meaningful engagement, supportive communities, and experiences that stretch us. Learning to drive becomes one of those moments. If we can navigate the DMV, the 405 freeway, and our own nerves, then we can navigate the academic, cultural, and personal challenges that come with studying at USC Chan. This milestone reminds us that independence is built gradually through persistence and community support.

Here is to safe drives, late night snack runs, spontaneous road trips, and the confidence that comes from mastering something new. Here is to every international student learning to thrive in a new city, one skill at a time!

For students who would like additional guidance on obtaining a California driver’s license, USC’s Office of International Services provides a clear overview of requirements and procedures. You can find the full details here.

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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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My Guide for Finding Volunteering and Shadowing Opportunities ⟩
October 5, 2025, by Makayla

Getting Involved Life Hacks

When considering a career in occupational therapy as a high school or undergraduate student, it can be daunting to figure out where to start. As students, we may have a limited scope of practice in what career fields will best suit us in the long run. Therefore, volunteering and shadowing are the best ways to experience what it’s like to be in the shoes of an occupational therapist or any other healthcare practitioner of interest.

While engaging in these experiences can validate your own personal passions or align your own career goals, they may also serve as crucial experiences to help narrow down aspects of a potential career that you dislike. It is beneficial to keep the purpose of your experience to be to explore and discover areas of healthcare that may appeal to you, even if only by observation. A set number of volunteering and observational hours is not required for USC Chan’s Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program Admissions; however, they are highly recommended, as they can help you see the breadth of the field of occupational therapy and the different pathways it can take you on your academic and career journey. Especially being a college student, gaining these experiences can not only help visualize your future in this profession but also provide unique insight and personal contexts that can help inform a great personal statement for applying to occupational therapy school.

Lucky for you, I want to share a few helpful resources to find prospective volunteering and shadowing opportunities that can be a touchpoint to finding new and rewarding learning experiences!

Helpful Resources I Have Found Volunteering/Shadowing

1. USC Chan Website: OS/OT Volunteer Opportunities

The USC Chan Website has an amazing database of opportunities that highlight opportunities for experiential learning (Volunteer, Internship, Aide, and Observation) for current and prospective students of occupational science and occupational therapy. Unique to this database are organizations and sites that span across Southern California, the East and West coasts of the United States, and even internationally! Opportunities are organized by physical area, and within each physical area by Zip/postal code. Within each of the site’s descriptions, you will find valuable information about the site, whether it be the particular practice area of occupational therapy, who to contact, volunteer expectations, and further requirements.

Additionally, you will find that many of these sites are owned or led by USC Chan alumni, which I believe enables an added layer of relatedness and connection when reaching out to them in the first place. Above all, this truly attests to the connections within the Trojan Family and supportive networks that can give you greater confidence in the pursuit of your academic and professional career in the future. Don’t believe me? Take it from me, and read my next blog coming up! This leads me to my next piece of advice:

2. Cold-Emailing

Cold emailing can feel really intimidating, and sending a message to a healthcare professional or alumni can take great courage and initiative. However, in the long term, this one step can open the doors to so many meaningful connections, invaluable insight, and potential mentorship! What are the most effective ways of reaching out and networking with professionals whom I have never met before? Check out this blog guide by Kimberly Rochin, a 2024-2025 Chan Student Ambassador, who clearly outlines how to build connections with occupational therapy practitioners that can help you score volunteering or observation experiences.

Once you do your proper research and find a potential coordinator or liaison for a potential site, craft a thoughtful email to them. Have a clear subject heading and use the body of your email as an introduction. Include your name, major, and specify your interests in occupational therapy. Think clearly about what ways your personal or academic endeavors empower you to support a particular site that you are interested in or the populations you would like exposure working with. By researching beforehand, you can really drive home how a site’s goals or mission align with your desire to take part in an enriching learning experience. If you are reaching out to multiple sites, it is okay to have a template that you use; however, tailor your emails with site-specific personalization while keeping professionalism at the forefront. This goes for crafting CVs, cover letters, and resumes as well! Before you click send, do not forget to proofread!

Once you (potentially) get a response, be open to opportunities a professional can provide, or, in some cases, if they are unable to help, look into their recommendations for helpful opportunities that can be provided elsewhere. An effective thank-you email can make all the difference in continuing a relationship with a site for the future. Let’s say you don’t hear back? Follow up politely, and a quick nudge doesn’t hurt. If you do not receive a response, just know that rejection is redirection; plenty of other volunteer sites would love to have you.

3. Utilizing LinkedIn and USC’s Trojan Network platform

LinkedIn and USC’s Trojan Network are platforms with the same capabilities of cold emailing, if not more. Using USC’s LinkedIn, you can keyword search for specific titles, such as “Occupational Therapist,” to find alumni to reach out to.

Similarly, USC’s Trojan Network allows you to do the same thing, in addition to advanced search features, such as filtering by location or education.

Additionally, one of the best features that USC’s Trojan Network allows for is to connect with alumni with options for crafting a message with them based on different templates, and you can schedule a meeting with them right on the platform. This can help take the stress off of initial communication with prospective professionals or occupational therapy practitioners.

Also, be sure to be clear with your ask! Are you asking for advice, a volunteer position, or mentorship? Whatever it is, say so very clearly, and do not forget to touch on why you are interested in a position, given your personal experiences or academic goals.

4. Trojan Health Volunteers (THV) - USC Joint Educational Project (JEP)

I am personally involved in Trojan Health Volunteers, an organization under USC’s Joint Educational Project (JEP), which pairs undergraduate students with opportunities to gain valuable volunteering experiences in diverse healthcare contexts. Through THV, I have volunteered at USC Keck Hospital’s medical/surgical orthopedic unit floor. Fun fact: Dr. Rafeedie, fellow USC Chan Director of the Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program and Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, had worked on this floor, and I met her here! Check out Student Ambassador Cara’s recent blog about Dr. Rafeedie and her role as the president of Occupational Therapy Association of California

What makes this organization unique is that they have agreements with volunteer partner sites such as USC Keck Hospital, the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, amongst many others. In doing so, you essentially can bypass traditional volunteer applications associated with different clinical sites. As a THV student, you are not only required to volunteer at your site, but also required to complete service-learning requirements. This includes weekly site journals, participating in required discussions on contemporary healthcare topics, attending speaker events with established healthcare professionals, and participating in a journal club focusing on literature within healthcare.

THV comes with its perks, too! In my experience, by being a volunteer at Keck, you are allotted money to spend at the cafeteria every time you come in for a shift. Yay, free food! Also, THV has a Big/Little Program as a resource for all THV students to help one another navigate through different pre-health tracks. THV is definitely a hidden gem, and I cannot encourage participating in this organization enough!

5. USC PreHealth Office

The USC Dornsife Department of Pre-Health Advising is an office that serves students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare by providing services, programming, and support tailored to meet the needs of every student on campus. The USC PreHealth Office is located on campus at HNB 120 (Hedco Neurosciences Building, Suite 120). Their advising support not only empower students to be competitive applicants in their chosen health professional schools, but also connects students with a wealth of knowledge and resources including, but not limited to:

• Weekly newsletter
• Drop ins with Peer Advisors and Mentorship
• Wellness Initiatives: The Den (an in-office, multi-use lounge and study space)
• Pre-Health Job Board
• Dornsife/Keck Shadowing Program
• Pre-Health Leadership, Services, and Learning Involvement Opportunities
• Events, Panels, Discussions posted on their social media
• Learn more here!

6. Reach out to the USC Chan Ambassadors

Feel free to email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). All of us come from diverse perspectives and experiences, so please use us as a resource to find what you are looking for! Check out our student blogs for a wealth of great information and resources that may pique your interest!

If you have read this far, congratulations! I hope these tips were helpful to you or at least can give you some direction on where to start looking to find volunteering and shadowing opportunities. The opportunities are out there and waiting for you; you just have to seek them out!

If you would like to add to USC Chan’s OS/OT Volunteer Opportunities page, please let us know by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), and it may help future students as well!

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How I Muster Up Motivation On The Days I Have None ⟩
September 11, 2025, by Katelyn

Life Hacks School/Life Balance

There are mornings when I just wake up on the wrong side of my bed. Brushing my teeth feels like I’m running a marathon, and my to-do list glares at me menacingly like a villain. These are the days that I feel like my motivation somehow took an unexpected vacation, and I am left trying to drag myself through the day. While I desperately want to curl up in my warm, cozy blankets and have them ward away responsibilities, I do my best to fight back.

This is especially true now that I am in my second year of the E-OTD program. I juggle many roles and responsibilities, from being a Student Ambassador, serving as president of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), working at the HSC gym, to making time to network. On paper, it looks like a lot.

I used to think that my lack of motivation on some days meant I was lazy and unproductive. But over time, I’ve learned that motivation isn’t meant to be constant. It’s not a random magical spark that appears daily. Rather, it’s something that is to be created, nurtured, and sometimes borrowed.

Here are some tips I have learned to help me get motivated:

• Start Small - When I think back to when I was working to understand motivation, I find some of these “small tasks” embarrassing and can’t help but laugh. Some of my personal favorites were “just sit in the chair,” “just put on your socks,” or “just turn on the computer.” While they felt like embarrassingly small tasks, they helped me kickstart my engine. Sure, my engine would sputter, stall, and maybe end up with me back on my bed (or sometimes on the floor), but all I needed was that one good crank to get momentum again.
• Enhance Your Environment - Once kick-started, I’d continue my momentum forward by changing my environment to be engaging. For me, that looked like lighting a candle, putting on some calming music (looking back, upbeat music worked better to keep me awake), or moving around the house.
• Reward Yourself - After I’ve set myself up for success, I’d reward myself. This is where it can get a little dicey. Rewards encouraged motivation, but the wrong ones could kill it. I discovered the perfect reward for me was chocolate or something sweet. If I tried a show, my phone, or other forms of screentime, I’d slip down a never-ending rabbit hole of doomscrolling. So remember: reward yourself early on, and find out what reward works best for you and your motivation!
• Borrow Energy From a Friend - Sometimes, all of these tips won’t work. That’s okay! It’s okay to ask for help. Some days, I simply don’t have the energy to generate motivation all on my own. On these days, I call my boyfriend or chat with a friend. Borrowing their energy, even for just a quick moment, to jumpstart my day when my own spark was missing worked like a charm.
• Reframe Your Thinking - In my opinion, this was the hardest part of finding motivation and meaning. It’s easy to think “just get this done” or “get this finished so I can do something else.” Instead, reframe it as “I’m building the skills for the work I want to do.” As an Ambassador, I remind myself that every tabling event or conversation helps me represent the program I believe in. As PTE president, I see each meeting as a chance to foster and lead the community. At the gym, I remind myself that supporting others’ health aligns with my own values. And networking provides me with leadership and professional development. Tying each of these responsibilities helps me transform the things just “in my calendar” into meaningful steps towards the kind, professional person I want to be.

It’s funny. Only now, as I write this blog, do I realize I employed Occupational Therapy (OT) tactics and thinking on myself. Breaking down into smaller steps, changing my environment, or even finding meaning in what I’m doing all mirror many core principles of OT. I guess in a way, I’ve become my own client.

Reflecting now, I realize this is why I love OT so much. OT isn’t just about the clinical settings; it’s about everyday life. Everyone has those days where motivation feels out of reach, but OT gives us the tools to adapt, create, and reconnect with what matters. I hope to continue to take the lessons I learn myself to my future clients.

So, if I caught you on a day that you feel like doing nothing, know that you aren’t lazy or broken. You’re just human. Start small, be kind to yourself, and remember that even the tiniest, most embarrassing step forward counts.

Ta-ta for now!

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