Random Post 2
Socializing at USC
Why being an extrovert at USC made my first semester here so great!
Hi! For those who don't know me, my name is Matthew and this is my first-ever semester here at USC. I am a Spring-admit transfer from Pasadena City College. After I graduated from high school in 2022, I did a year at community college and then applied to be a transfer student to USC. When I opened my acceptance letter at the end of May of last year, I had my eyes set for USC and could not wait to start my journey as a Trojan!
Coming in as a Spring admit, I did not know what I would be getting myself into. As the days went by and it got closer and closer to orientation, I wondered how I would make friends, would I be able to fit in as a transfer, and many other questions pertaining to the social life here at USC. Little did I know, this would be the most social that I've ever been and my life would be forever busy and eventful.
How I made my first friend group at USC
When I got on campus, I was a little scared and wanted to "secure a friend group" as soon as possible. As I talked to some other transfers, I got added into this random text group chat of 40 other transfers that wanted to make friends. Bravely enough, I sent out a mass text asking "Does anyone want to go cafe-hopping in Koreatown on Friday?". A lot of people said yes and while some had to cancel last minute, a good amount showed up on the first Friday of school. We met up in front of Tommy Trojan, took the Metro, and conversed, learning more about each other and just making connections.
A mirror selfie of my friend group that we took the first day we met
Later did I know, that I would continue a journey of (hopefully) a life-long friendship that I would call everyone in this group, my closest friends here at USC. However, this interaction made me learn one thing that would stick with me throughout my friendship journey at USC: a lot of people want to become friends with you, you just got to ask!
Some of us decided to continue cafe-hopping the week after! (It became a habit throughout the semester.)
A program for transfers, making other friends at Marshall
I am glad that I came into USC at a time when I believe the school recognized the importance and prominence of transfer students at the campus. I remember soon after my acceptance into the Marshall School of Business, I got a follow up letter to apply for this program called the Transfer Success Program (TSP). Not thinking much of it, I went through the quick
Hi Matthew, I'm glad to hear you fit right in at USC. I consider myself quite introverted, but I feel like I've had an easy time making friends here at USC as well. I think that's what's great about this school, that there's always a group that you fit into no matter who you are. Hope your first semester went well!
ReplyDeleteHello, Mathhew. As a fellow Spring-admit in his first semester at USC, I can totally relate to your worries about making friends and being social straight away. It is definitely overwhelming to arrive to this huge institution, especially in the middle of the academic year. However, I myself am an introvert, so I admire your determination in taking action, which opened all kinds of doors for you. Keep going, Matthew, we're just getting started here!
ReplyDeleteHey Matthew! I wonder if I ever passed by you at PCC since I also transferred from there! Im happy to hear that you were able to find that friend group early on, I am still trying to build that. I did make a super close friend and I'm like 99% sure that she's going to end up being my maid of honor but she graduates next semester so I really need to put myself out there for the rest of my time at USC lol.
ReplyDeleteAww this is so cute!! Taking advantage of social opportunities/events that USC has is so beneficial because you get to meet people who are in a similar boat as you.
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