Fall Move-in Checklist Ideas

DON'T FORGET THE HANGERS!

"After a few years in college, I've learned that to prevent leaving items off the move-in checklist, you should start writing it way before you begin you move.  That way, as you remember things you need to bring, you add them to the list.  It should be an ongoing process until move-in day, but the extra time allows you to brainstorm all the potential things you will need or that you might forget.  In order to make it easier for you, here is your ultimate college apartment checklist of everything you may need in college when you move this fall. 

For complete list, click here: http://movingoffcampus.com/blog/the-top-175-items-for-your-fall-move-in-checklist/

If you have roommates, make sure you formulate your college apartment checklist with them so you can cut costs and make sure you collaboratively get everything you need. In addition to packing the right stuff, there are a few other steps that will help you prepare for fall move-in.

Consider is buying or renting books ahead of time. By doing so, you won’t have to wait in the endless lines at the bookstore. Lastly, if you’re an incoming freshman, its important to get everything you need before you get to campus or with your parents before they leave, because the prices at the bookstore are usually more expensive then you’ll find at other off campus stores.

Are we crazy?! Is it possible we left out some essential items for your college apartment checklist? Help us get the net in the comment box below!”

Living the Bookish Life

Aldous Huxley said, "The proper study of mankind is books." 

They are varied and magical.  I suppose that makes the Los Angeles Times’ Festival of Books an even more appropriate visitor to the University of Southern California. 

Over two days in April, dozens of authors read aloud, discuss, demonstrate from, and (yes, of course) sell their books.  USC campus will be full of book stalls, discussions, poetry readings, and music stages.  Some of the celebrities sharing their works with us include Marlo Thomas, Alicia Silverstone, Maria Shriver, Rachel Zoe, and celebrity chefs Giada de Laurentiis and Roy Choi. 

It’s FREE (except for some of its special events).  And, we are so lucky our residents can walk from their apartments on Ellendale Place and not have to pay $10 for parking!

Saturday, April 12 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See more at: http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/fob-info/

Another lovely SoCal day: Eat your heart out Harvard!

Today's weather for USC: Sunny with a few little clouds, 63 degrees F.  And it is FEBRUARY! Aaaaahh..........

The temperature at Harvard University at this moment is 27 degrees with a 50% chance of snow.  Ha ha ha.

One of the many perks of living here in Los Angeles is a day like today.  It's a perfect day to bask by the pool at Trojan Plaza and Queen Anne, to sit in the lovely garden at Trojan Terraza (That goes for you, too, Ellendale Trojan-ers!), or to read a book near the sound of the fountain at Trojan Spaces.  If you aren't taking any classes today-- soak it in......

A welcoming week for USC’s newest undergrads

By Lillian Insalata; excerpt reposted from USC's news site

August 19, 2013

After filling up their residences with boxes, USC’s incoming class of 2013 will have plenty to do. During Welcome Week, the period between Move-in Day on Aug. 21 and the first day of classes on Aug. 26, the university has planned an array of events and activities for the newest members of the Trojan Family and — for the first two days — their families.

This year the university will offer more programming than ever, including two new signature events. The first, “Taste of SC,” will be held on Move-in Day from 5 to 7 p.m. Students and their parents can enjoy free food and see student groups perform in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center and Student Union as they tour campus offices and learn about student resources.

On Aug. 23, students will recreate the Game Day experience during “Light Up the Coliseum.” On that evening, the students will meet at Tommy Trojan at 7:30 p.m. and follow the USC Trojan Marching Band to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where they will learn about USC traditions, have a group photo taken and spell out USC with flashlights. The first 500 students will also receive free food. The event is scheduled to end at 10 p.m.

For a complete list of events and activities, visit sait.usc.edu/welcomeweek. Students can also sign up for a special Welcome Week app to help them plan their schedules and sign up for events.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

In the evening, following “Taste of SC”, students can dance with new friends courtesy of radio station KXSC and USC Spectrum, which will sponsor live music at Tommy’s Place.

Thursday, Aug. 22

Parents are encouraged to attend the New Student Convocation, a traditional ceremony featuring a student procession and remarks from USC President C. L. Max Nikias, academic deans and Ainsley Carry, the new vice provost for Student Affairs. Preceding the event, families are invited to a pancake breakfast in McCarthy Quad.

Also on tap are the first day of micro-seminars — lectures and discussions that provide a glimpse into what college classes are like. USC professors, Nikias and Provost Elizabeth Garrett are scheduled to present seminars on a variety of topics.

In the evening, “SPARK! 8th Annual Visions and Voices Multimedia Kickoff” will present music, dance, theater and performance art in Bovard Auditorium. Students are encouraged to arrive early to get seats.

Friday, Aug. 23

The schedule will include tours of USC libraries throughout the day and the second day of micro-seminars.

To cap the night, following “Light Up the Coliseum,” students can catch a movie that will be shown in McCarthy Quad.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Students are encouraged to learn more about their neighborhood through Friends and Neighbors Day (FND), which pairs student volunteers with 30 community partners. After FND, buses will take students on neighborhood tours showcasing historic houses and landmarks.

That night, the Welcome Back Carnival and Concert featuring refreshments, games and a musical guest will take place in McCarthy Quad.

Sunday, Aug. 25

Students who need supplies for their rooms or want to explore Los Angeles for the day can make online reservations for shuttles leaving the University Park Campus for Target, Santa Monica, museums and other locations.

That evening McCarthy Quad will be a performance site once again — this time, a comedy show from 7 to 9 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 26

After Welcome Week excitement, students are advised to get a good night’s sleep on Sunday; fall semester classes start Monday morning.

It's Almost Move-In Day Campers!

• Maybe you have been stocking up on your college apartment goodies for months…
• Maybe you just need a touch more inspiration to create your ultimate work/study space…
• Maybe you are in a last-minute frenzy, driving around Los Angeles to find items for your new household….

 In any case, these links below should be helpful.  Let the retailers help sort it all out for you!  

First, is my favorite store in the world, Target: 

http://www.target.com/c/back-to-college/-/N-5q0g0#?lnk=gnav_home_5_74&intc=829636|nullgnav_home_5_74&intc=829636|null

Lesser known and a tiny bit pricier is The Container Store.  But man, they do know how to organize!  http://www.containerstore.com/college/index.html

B3 has great stuff, too:  http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btshome.asp?

IKEA has it all, though it’s not always the most convenient shopping experience:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/seasonal/back_to_college/

And last, but certainly not least, the USC bookstore is perfect for adding those finishing touches of school color.  Go, Trojans!!  http://uscbookstore.com/c-19-gifts.aspx

A Good Place to Study?

Only a pair of finishing touches needed now for Trojan Terraza's garden.  We hope you all like how it turned out as much as we do.

Tell us what you think is the best way to use it:

Studying?
Lunch al fresco?
Escaping a roommate?
Finishing a novel?
Meditation?
Sunbathing?

The Renovation of Trojan Terraza's Garden Is Under Way!

We are so excited that we are finally able to go forward with this project.  At Trojan Building's we are always striving to make our apartment buildings a better place for our residents to live.  Here is some of our progress so far...

This is how the garden began.  

A few days ago the infrastructure was put in place.

How it looked on June 5th, 2013.

We hope that all of you find this to be a place of serenity when you need a break from your USC studies (or your roommate... LOL).  When it's finished, we'll post more photos!!