Category Archives: Advice

Adult Responsibilities, Advice, college, student life, USC

Online to in-person time management

By Alyssa Delarossa

Edited by Natalie Grace Sipula

[3 minute read]

As USC has mostly transitioned to an in-person learning format, the struggle to adjust from over a year of online and remote learning to in-person is well felt within the student body. One of the hardest adjustments for myself and other students I have talked to is time management. While time management during remote learning was a struggle and adjustment, time management for in-person classes has always been a struggle and an especially big adjustment for freshmen and other first-year students. I’m going to share some tips for time management that I find helpful and hope they either can be of use to you or serve as a source of inspiration to form your own time management habits.

  1. Planning
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Taking a bit of time to thoroughly plan my days out as much as I can has served me well when it comes to exams, assignments, club and organizational activities, and other deadlines that I have to meet. I usually do this by making to-do lists on my phone notes app and calendar, putting down the time and length for each task (emails, homework, study, etc). I even put planning and random tasks such as grocery shopping and grabbing a coffee, which I find to be super helpful.

2. Focus

Photo by Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash

While taking the extra bit of time to thoroughly plan out your daily school and extracurricular activities can be extremely beneficial, this will not get you very far if you are unable to stay focused. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about attaining an all-day hours on end laser focus; everyone has different attention spans, so it’s about getting to know your own attention span and things that help keep your focus. For me, I usually like to get my work done in my room or if I do have to be on campus, I usually try to find a quiet place outside or in classroom halls (still hesitant to use the libraries due to COVID). I also find that I usually have to take short breaks in between studying and working. Other things that help my focus include pairing tasks with a particular time of day. For instance, I prefer to study for exams or complete assignments first thing in the morning or late at night. During the afternoon time, I find I am more productive at emails and extracurricular work. I also find that music helps me attain my focus, particularly pop and rock music. 

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Adult Responsibilities, Advice, friends, health, Identity

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY HERE AND ABROAD

[3 minute read]

by Trisha Willie

This past year, I have had the chance to refine one of my passions: Occupational Therapy, my undergraduate major. Many individuals are inhibited in fulfilling their occupations (their meaningful daily and personal activities) because of various circumstances—old age, a neurological disorder, mental illness, or even stress accumulated throughout this pandemic. Occupational therapists help these individuals gain as much independence as possible through rehabilitation, lifestyle modifications, and adjustment strategies.

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

If you’ve never heard of OT, you are not alone! Although it is a growing field, I still find myself explaining it to people I meet, and even to my friends and family members who wonder what exactly it is I study at USC. However, you may have heard of it by a different name depending on where you’re from. “Occupational therapy” can be translated in many ways, but even other English-speaking countries call it something different. I learned in one of my classes last semester that some refer to OT as “ergotherapy.” There are also other models of occupational therapy abroad, such as the Kawa Model developed by OTs in Japan. There is even a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) that sets standards for international OT practice! The WFOT also advocates for global education, research, and leadership, all of which are important for developing the profession. I also learned about this organization in my coursework this past year, and I’ve been really inspired by the idea of promoting OT internationally. The WFOT even has an annual World Occupational Therapy Day (October 27 if you’re interested!) intended for practitioners in all of the organization’s 105 member countries to raise awareness about and celebrate OT.

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Advice, college, lifestyle, student life, USC

Best Study Spots on Campus

By Sarah Selke

Edited by Natalie Grace Sipula

[3 minute read]

The life of a college student is pretty hectic. If you have several hours to spare in between classes, finding a good place to study is essential to getting work done. Whether you like being outside under the sun or inside a building with plenty of lounge room, there’s always a spot to meet your preferences. Here are some of my favorite places on campus to study or simply relax.

Nazarian Pavilion Courtyard

Located behind Doheny Library, Nazarian Pavilion Courtyard is a great place to study while being conveniently located next to the coffee shop Literatea. This tucked away patio has a handful of seats enclosed by the library’s brick-red walls. Grab a drink or snack and settle down in this secluded courtyard for a couple of hours.

Photo by Tamarcus Brown on Unsplash

Queen’s Courtyard

Located outside of the USC Thornton School of Music, Queen’s Courtyard is a grassy park that is frequently occupied by music school students. Shaded beneath a canopy of trees, this is the perfect spot to study, nap, or picnic whilst being surrounded by the faint sounds of instruments playing. 

Hoose Library of Philosophy

Probably the quietest of USC’s libraries, the Philosophy Library is located on the top floor of the Mudd Hall of Philosophy and is a beautiful place to study completely undisturbed. Situated near the Metro Expo line, this library has an ancient ambiance aided by chandeliers and colorful stained-glass windows. There are seats tucked away between bookshelves, making for the ideal spot to study indoors without any distractions. 

Photo by Marie Bellando-Mitjans on Unsplash

Verna & Peter Dauterive Hall

The relatively new Verna & Peter Dauterive Hall is a clean and spacious indoor space that is great for studying. There are plenty of chairs and sofas on the lowest level that offer a comfortable getaway from the bustle of campus center. A beautiful long glass piece hanging from the ceiling makes the interior somewhat reminiscent of a quiet shopping mall. 

Archimedes Plaza

Located near the Viterbi School of Engineering, Archimedes Plaza is the ideal place for students to get some work done. Shaded by cardinal umbrellas, this spot offers fountain views and close access to the engineering library as well as the engineering school classrooms. It is particularly convenient for students studying in STEM classes who might wish to get a bit of fresh air between classes.

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