Browse the USC website for information regarding academic and cultural affairs on campus. Check out the “Student Life” page and find out about the school’s services, housing, religious life, activities, cultural identity programs, career planning, financial support and student health services.
Attend the campus orientation program. USC offers an on-campus two-day session to first-year and international students and a one-day orientation for transfer students. This program offers students the opportunity to talk to teachers, administrators and other students and tour the campus and facilities.
Investigate housing options and determine the best choice for your first year on campus. Students find on-campus housing either beneficial or distracting, depending on their study habits, academic and work commitments and personality. USC offers multiple resources for housing, including temporary on-campus accommodations, apartment-hunting assistance and an online service that lists available housing.
Visit the Los Angeles area near the university and familiarize yourself with its resources, cultural scene, public transportation and proximity to other parts of the city. This is particularly important when choosing to live off campus, to get a feel for drive time, parking issues and neighborhoods. The university offers an online student guidebook with a section devoted to life in L.A., its neighborhoods, nightlife, services, recreation and resources.
Focus on getting through your first year academically. The second largest city in the country, Los Angeles brims with cultural and recreational activities, entertainment and sports events, which can be easily distracting—and USC is right in the center of it all. Get involved with a mentoring program, student clubs and activities to help you stay engaged in campus life. Find study partners or form a study group to keep you focused on your coursework.