From the editors

November at USC often feels like a period of transition — a moment to take a deep breath and reflect. Halloween is officially behind us. The first wave of football hype has simmered down; suddenly, the whirlwind of early-semester excitement is replaced by the focused hustle for the year’s end. Here in Los Angeles, the shifting sunlight and crisp evenings finally reflect the arrival of autumn. It’s time to trade costumes for coffee and immerse ourselves in what brings us joy and meaning. 

In Japan, this season is celebrated with the concept of “○○ no aki,” which literally means “autumn of ___.” It invites us to fill that blank with a personal pursuit of passion: autumn of reading, autumn of arts, autumn of appetite, autumn of music, autumn of sports. In a world driven by constant motion and overwhelming noise, fall’s gentle weather nudges us to slow down, to notice what excites us and to rekindle old hobbies or explore new curiosities.

As our staff gathered for our first meeting of the semester, that same spirit filled the room. Each writer shared a curiosity they were eager to chase, a story they simply couldn’t let go of. This magazine is the fruit of that collective passion. We explore anxiety and peace and the profound resilience it takes to balance and define yourself when the wind seems to blow in every direction.

So, as autumn settles in, we invite you to reflect on your own “autumn of ____.” What will fill your November? This month, we offer stories that give a glimpse into the passions and perspectives that make November worth slowing down for.

In this issue, you’ll find: Abby Weiland dives into the rapidly changing face of USC Village; Jay Garcia delivers an essential report on transgender life at USC amid a shifting political landscape; and Alexa Rubinstein offers a moving personal reflection about finding solitude on a buzzing campus. For our cover story, Miaofu Tian analyzes the impact of competitive club recruitment. 

For inspiration on where to spend your autumn days, enjoy Kevin Kim’s photo essay on the most peaceful places on campus. Plus, don’t miss Lucy Chen’s cartoon illustrating what home and belonging mean to her and Bennett Christofferson’s challenging autumn crossword. Finally, for another rendition of “The Back Page,” Feiyu Long takes us behind the scenes of the CANNEX, a mock cannabis dispensary used for groundbreaking research.

We’d like to express special thanks to all artists and photographers who contributed to the magazine, led by Art & Design Director Lucy Chen as well as Photo Editors Ethan Thai and Tai Sandhu. We’re particularly grateful for our dedicated copy desk, led by Chief Copy Editors Kate Henry and Michelle Park. We are also grateful for the enthusiasm of our assistant editors, Abby Weiland and Miranda Huang. Finally, we’d like to thank our managing editor and Fall 2025 editor-in-chief, Nathan Elias, for his invaluable guidance and dedication to this magazine and the Daily Trojan overall.

May this issue encourage you to spark your own pursuit of an autumn of passion and purpose.