Top 4 problems all USC freshmen face

Thanya Chat | Daily Trojan

1. Recognizing Building Acronyms

“Where’s my class again?”

“KAP?”

“THH?”

“VKC?”

I know that for a lot of my friends and me, Google became our best friend when it came to looking up what the three-letter building code in our schedules.

“USC KAP” we would frantically type into the search engine bar moments before our first class. From there, we would pull out our handy dandy USC map, locate the building name and run out the door.

But rest assured fellow freshmen, there’s a much easier and more convenient solution to this problem: the USC map app. Well-loved, adored and doted upon by all upperclassmen, this nifty tool makes it easy to look cool while frantically searching for Tutor Hall (RTH). Say goodbye to flimsy paper maps and hello to sleek cellphone screens. USC Maps is at your service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

2. Knowing How to Refer to Your Professor

Before, you always called your teachers “Mr.____” or “Mrs.____”, but now that you’re in college, things get a lot more complicated. Some of your professors may prefer to be called “Professor____” or “Dr.____,” while others might allow you to refer to them on a first-name basis. Either way, the rule of thumb is that unless you’re referring to your roommate’s parents or some adult unaffiliated with the university, no one really goes by Mr. or Mrs. anymore.

Some of your professors may cover how they’d like to be called in their introductions on the first day of class. Ultimately, if you still aren’t sure, you can also just ask them. Otherwise, referring to them as “Professor ____” is probably your best bet.

3. Choosing Which Clubs to Join

It’s no secret that USC has a ton of clubs. But though it means there really is something for everyone, having so many clubs to choose from can be quite overwhelming.

So how do you choose? First of all, do some research. This doesn’t have to be a serious report  — just type the name of a club into Facebook or Google, send them an email with any questions you have or talk to some current members. After you’ve narrowed down your list a little, it’s time to go to some general meetings. Here, you can get a realistic taste of what the club is all about. If you like it, sign up for more information. Groups don’t usually force commitment until later on in the semester, so you can always change your mind if you want. The key is not to not spread yourself too thin and to find clubs that you are really passionate about.

4. Finding the Right Major

So maybe you came in as a business major, but you’re really into economics. Or maybe you’re an English major hoping to switch into print and digital journalism. Either way, it’s only your freshman year. You have plenty of time to explore your options by taking GEs in areas outside of your major or even other classes in subjects you might be interested in. The best part is that, in the case that you don’t enjoy the class, you can always drop it within the first three weeks with no mark on your transcript. So explore any options you might be interested in. After all, college is about finding what you truly love doing.