Volume 61 Special Edition

THE USD VISTA

Rising heat causes climate catastrophes

waves can cause dangerous conditions, such as cliff collapses as was seen in January at Black’s Beach in La Jolla.

This summer has been one of the hottest on record globally. According to the LA Times, the average temperature this year has been 2.002 degrees Fahrenheit over the average. July 2023 was Earth’s hottest month ever recorded.

The Los Angeles Times quoted Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA who explained the reason for the extreme heat.

“Maybe greater than 80% — maybe even greater than 90% — of the reason is just the accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere,” Swain said.

More than 40 deaths have been attributed to heat in the U.S., with conditions especially poor in the Southwest; Phoenix, Arizona, has a record 31 days with temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter.

First-year Emily Jwayad explained her experience with higher temperatures this summer.

“I live in the Portland metro area in Oregon, and right now we are in a big heat wave. Temperatures are around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which 10 years ago would have never happened,” Jwayad said. “Not

only have summers become hotter, but winters have also become more extreme.”

Jwayad elaborated that she “100% believes” that

this unusual weather is a product of climate change. Heat is not the only way the climate has changed. A new study from UC San Diego found that

since 1970, the average wave height in Central California has grown by a foot. Warming water temperatures cause larger storms, which create larger waves. Large

The Northeast and Midwestern U.S. have felt the effects of poor air quality due to an unprecedented wildfire season in Canada this summer. Canada’s wildfires — which have been worse in scale due to dry conditions — spread smoke south, leading many U.S states to issue health advisory warnings over the summer months.

The most deadly climate event in the U.S. this year has been the wildfires on the island of Maui in Hawai’i. The deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over 100 years began on Aug. 8, when small bushfires grew out of control. What started the fires is not known yet, but low humidity, high temperatures and drought conditions contributed to the fire’s destruction.

The town of Lahaina was most affected, with more than 2,200 structures damaged. The New York Times, explained that climate change has created higher temperatures and less precipitation, while invasive and highly flammable grasses have spread. The article also mentions that Hurricane Dora, a category 4 tropical storm, passed south of Hawai’i on Aug. 8, and the wind

See rising heat, Page 2

and aid the stressful period of transition into college life.

Coming to college and starting a new chapter in your life is always a daunting experience. Whether you are staying on campus or not, finding your place on a college campus while navigating a new system of classes, fresh social groups of friends and constant reality checks from adulthood is and always has been challenging.

Identity crises, fear of the lack of belonging and your anxieties around picking a major are an everyday part of being a college student. But having insider information into the workings of the university you are attending can help ease

Here are five tips and tricks that you need to know to help you get more comfortable and give you a head start here at USD.

Go to the Alcalá Bazaar and Welcome Events:

The beginning of the school year is filled with opportunities to connect with new students and folks across the staff and various departments. One of the best ways to get rid of feelings of loneliness and solitude is by utilizing these opportunities.

The Alcalá Bazaar is an event that takes place at the beginning of every semester as a collection of all student organizations, university centers and local

vendors present at the university. It’s a chance for students to walk around and find what groups and people match their personality and interests ranging across academic, multicultural, changemaker, athletic, spiritual, special interest and fraternity and sorority interests.

Along with the Alcalá Bazaar, there are always schoolsanctioned social events that happen at the beginning of every

semester, each with the goal of initiating conversations amongst and beyond people who identify with certain labels. Welcome events like Movie Night on Paseo de Colachis, A Night At Fashion Valley, Meet and Treat, etc. are fantastic ways to meet and interact with other students.

USD Junior Itzel Esparza talked about her experience with socials during her first year.

“I honestly regret not going

See News, page 2

See Opinion, page 3

See Feature, page 6

See A&C, page 7

Destruction caused by the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawai’i.

Photo courtesy of @yusurf/Instagram

Students getting food at the Student Life Pavilion.

Photo courtesy of @eatatusd/Instagram

speeds from this storm helped the wildfires to spread. At least100 people have died due to the wildfires, however, the number is continuing to rise, as victims are recovered from the rubble of the historic town of Lahaina.

USD sophomore Mahina Ah Sam lives in Kailua, Hawai’i, on the island of Oahu, and expressed her concern for the people in Maui affected by the wildfires.

“It’s so hard to watch my people struggle. There is no way to have known something like this would have happened. The people of the islands are such a tight-knit community, so when something happens to another,

we all feel for them,” Ah Sam said.

“Climate change plays a big role in the wildfire. Yes, August is known as our hurricane season, but these insane winds that have lasted for so many days [are] quite rare. Other ways that we have been affected by climate trchange is the erosion of our shores and definitely the temperature.”

Around the world, many have felt the unusual weather patterns, causing concern for the future.

First-year Jill Mallari lives on the island of Saipan, a U.S. territory in the Pacific. Living on a small island, she explained she has seen firsthand the effects of climate change.

“One of the most pressing

issues I’ve been seeing lately is the sudden rise of the ocean waters within our beaches. The shore increasingly becomes smaller, which makes me feel like our island’s progressively sinking,” Mallari said.

On Sunday, Hurricane Hilary hit Southern California as a tropical storm. It was the first tropical storm to hit San Diego County since 1930. San Diego escaped major damage, however, 13 people were rescued from a flooded homeless encampment near Morena Boulevard.

According to Fox 5 San Diego, San Diego received 1.82 inches of rainfall, making it the wettest day in August in 46 years.

change

Rebuilding efforts have just begun in Maui with over 1,000 people still unaccounted for. Climate change’s effects have been

felt in a variety of ways throughout the country this summer, leaving many people harmed or in dangerous situations.

Class of 2027: last admitted with affirmative action

U.S. Supreme Court bans universities from considering students’ race in admissions

The U.S. Supreme Court banned affirmative action in college admissions on June 29 of this year. The 6-3 vote on two cases, Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College found Affirmative Action unconstitutional. The ruling stated that affirmative action practices at these universities violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Cornell Law School defines affirmative action as “a set of procedures designed to; eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, remedy the results of such prior discrimination, and prevent such discrimination in the future.”

In college admissions, affirmative action allowed colleges and universities to consider prospective students’ races as a factor in determining admission.

Proponents of affirmative action argue that Black and Latino students have been historically marginalized and underprivileged, leading them to have fewer opportunities such as private education, standardized test prep classes and tutors which are factors that are meant to increase students’ chances at admission to elite colleges.

Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit whose lawsuit resulted in the overturning of Affirmative Action, believes that racial classification in admissions is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Many Asian and white students in the Students for Fair Admissions argue that they were rejected from elite universities such as Harvard and the University of North Carolina because race was a factor in admissions.

Universities in California provide a glimpse of what colleges could resemble after the discontinuation of affirmative action. Nine states, including California, previously banned affirmative action in public employment and education. In 1996 Californian voters passed Proposition 209 which outlawed preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. According to a study by UC Berkeley, the first incoming class at California’s most elite public universities were much less diverse. For example, after the ban on affirmative action, Black and Latino enrollment at UCLA and UC Berkeley fell by 40%.

As a private University, USD was not banned from considering applicants’ race until this summer.

On the day of the Supreme Court’s decision, USD President James T. Harris III emailed the USD community, issuing a statement

on affirmative action. President Harris described USD’s admission process as a holistic approach, emphasizing the university’s commitment to diversity.

“We will work together to educate ourselves and our community on the implications of today’s decision and chart a path forward that is within the bounds of the law and firmly guided by our mission, vision, and values,” the email concluded.

The incoming class of 2027 will be the last class whose college admission process was affected by affirmative action.

USD first-year Ben Strang was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Affirmative action was in place for a reason,” Strang stated. “It allowed people of color an opportunity to gain an edge in a system that disproportionately benefits white people. Without affirmative action in place, the system will once again be unfair to those who have been setback from the start.”

USD first-year Xochitl Felix shared a similar feeling of disappointment.

“I do believe the system of affirmative action was flawed, but the intention was good,” Felix said. “White affluent students still had a greater advantage in terms of them having accessibility to tutors or prep programs for college, whereas low-income minorities who still perform

just as well in school but don’t have opportunities to push their potential are now stripped of the possibility of attending these top schools. I think affirmative action could’ve been reformed, but simply taking the whole concept away will leave high school students of minority identity disappointed.”

First-year Lily Delahanty believes that the Supreme Court should have focused on other issues in college admissions, rather than affirmative action.

“I believe that the Supreme Court should have looked at the process of legacy admissions before even blinking an eye toward affirmative action,” Delahanty said. Legacy admissions is a preference given by an institution to students who have a

familymember who is an alumnus. Despite the ban, there are still ways that some universities are factoring in students’ race to their admission. According to the New York Times, many highly selective colleges “are using words and phrases like ‘identity’ and ‘life experience,’ and are probing aspects of a student’s upbringing and background” in order to understand how race may have created adversity in students’ lives. Some workarounds have come under criticism. Columbia Law School added and deleted a video requirement to their application after being accused of attempting to circumvent the affirmative action ban. The controversial Supreme Court decision will impact university admission and diversity across the country.

The rainfall from Tropical Storm Hilary seen through Maher dorm window. Jackie Marquez/ The USD Vista

Protesters advocating for the end of affirmative action in college admissions. Photo courtesy of @fight_against_affirmativaction/Instagram

OPINION

Wait to date: What I wish I knew about relationships my first year of college

JACKIE MARQUEZ OPINION EDITOR

My freshman year of college I was worried about a lot of things, but my love life was the biggest source of anxiety. Coming into college, I felt an expectation to find “the one.” I had heard so many stories of people who met their spouse in college and got married soon after graduation that it seemed like the norm. Plus, dating seemed like a fun new experience that I didn’t want to miss out on.

I felt a self-imposed pressure to put myself out there and start meeting people. So, I downloaded a couple of dating apps. Getting matches was addicting, and I started hyper-focusing on getting validation from guys. I spent so much time making sure I was likable and attractive that I lost sight of what was truly important.

There are better things to focus on than romance in your first year of college. If I were to do it all over again, I would devote more time to myself, my academics and my friends. While college is the best place

to gain new experiences, the main purpose of going to university is to get an education. Diving into a relationship can distract you from that purpose. Relationships take time and effort. Unfortunately, classes do too. Many professors insist that for every hour spent in class you should spend two to three hours studying outside of class. However, a cuddly movie night is much more appealing. To have a successful love life alongside a strong academic career you have to balance what you want with what you need. You also have to manage your time to do that.

As a first-year, you may not have all of those time management skills yet. For the first time in your life, you are fully responsible for how you spend your time, and that takes some getting used to.

It’s important that you adjust to your newfound freedom before you start a relationship, or else you might give more time to your partner than to yourself.

On top of developing time management skills, your first year of college also requires you to develop friendships. If you’re lucky, you might know a few people at your new school, but

if your hometown is far away, you may have to rebuild your social life from scratch. To be completely honest, starting over can feel really lonely. For me, I felt like the new friends I made didn’t understand me in the way that my friends back home did. Because of that, a romantic relationship seemed like the best way to get the emotional closeness I was missing. It was not. I quickly found out that college relationships aren’t always as long lasting as friendship, and when one of my relationships ended, I wished I had a better support system of friends. After two full years of college and a couple of communication classes, I’ve accepted the fact that making deep friendships takes time. It’s best to invest in these friendships your first year; at this point many people are super open to making new friends. Relationships can wait, but at a small school like USD, it can be hard to make new connections once people have established their close circles. Also, if you’re dead set on dating, making friends may be more beneficial than actively seeking a relationship. According

to research published in the journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science, 66% of romantic relationships start as friendships. By prioritizing friendships in your first year, you may be setting yourself up for relationship success later.

As you invest in friendships, it’s also important that you take time to invest in yourself. Your first year is a time of self-discovery, but if you’re preoccupied with a relationship, you may miss out on that. Thanks to your newfound independence and free time, you’ll have tons of new experiences. You’ll meet new people, explore new places and learn about the world from a new point of view.

With all these new opportunities, you’ll learn more about yourself. However, if you’re in a relationship you may devote more time to your partner than to said opportunities. You may also pay more attention to your partner’s needs than your own. Understanding who you are as a person ensures that you don’t lose yourself in your partner. As such, it’s important to hold off on dating when you first get to college.

While there’s no one-

size-fits all approach to relationships, I wish that I personally would have held off on dating my first year.

Progressing through college, I’ve had the opportunity to gain some of the experience needed to have healthy relationships. I took communication courses that taught me relationship maintenance skills, I made friends and I took time to learn about myself.

After all of that, I stopped expecting to find “the one.” I realized that most college relationships don’t last forever, and that I wasn’t in the place for a super serious longterm relationship anyway. These realizations lessened my self-imposed pressure to date and changed my perspective on relationships. Now, rather than expecting never-ending love, I view new connections as an opportunity for selfdiscovery and personal growth. Thanks to this development, my relationships have been healthier and happier, which is why I encourage you to save dating for after your first year if you can avoid it.

No car, no problem Why you should consider public transportation

JACKIE MARQUEZ OPINION EDITOR

Being car-less my first year at USD was beyond inconvenient. I relied on Uber and Lyft, because I didn’t know how to navigate San Diego without a personal vehicle. Not only was it expensive, it was also unreliable at times. Since USD policy forbids most first-year resident students from parking on campus, getting off campus can be a struggle as you start your college experience. If you want to go out and explore the city, public transportation is a great alternative to ridesharing apps.

Second semester of my freshman year, my younger brother and I went to see American rapper, Tyler, the Creator, at Pechanga Arena. To get there we took a Lyft that cost about $10. It wasn’t terribly expensive, but getting back to campus after the show was a different story.

With everyone leaving at once, there were hundreds of people calling rides at the same time. This led to surge pricing, an increase in price that happens when the demand for drivers is greater than the available number of drivers. With this increased rate, a ride back to campus would cost nearly $30. I decided to just bite the bullet and call a ride, but the app wouldn’t

let me request a pickup, because there were already too many requests being processed. When I was finally able to request a ride, my driver canceled on me. After two hours of ride cancellations and waiting, I gave up and called one of my upperclassmen friends to pick us up.

I wish I knew that public transportation was an option my first year at USD; it would have saved me time and money.

Public transportation is far more affordable than calling a ride. The cheapest Lyft I’ve had in San Diego was $7 one way. However, taking the trolley or the bus only costs $2.50. The San Diego Metropolitan System (MTS) also offers a two hour transfer policy, meaning if you need to take more than one bus/ trolley to get to your destination, you don’t have to pay again. To pay your fare, you download the Pronto App and load money onto the digital “Pronto” card it gives you. Then, tap your card before you enter a bus or trolley. If you plan on using the transit system regularly and don’t want to pay every time you get on a bus or trolley, you can also purchase passes through the UC ticket office as a USD student. The ticket office sells monthly and semester passes for $57.60 and $163 respectively. These passes end up saving you money if you’re taking public transportation every day.

Although public transportation is cheaper than calling a ride, it may seem more confusing. Taking a bus requires you to know where to catch a bus, when to catch it and when to get off. There is a bus stop next to USD’s main entrance, and the Old Town Station is just down Linda Vista Road. But, if you don’t know your bus routes or where your destination is located, taking public transportation can be challenging. Luckily, there is an app created by MTS to help navigate San Diego’s transit system. The Pronto App has a “Trip Planner” section that provides users with step by step directions to get to your destination. It allows users to input their starting location, destination and desired departure time, in order to find the quickest and easiest route. The app also tells users the time and location to catch their bus, how many stops they will ride, what stop they get off at and how long their trip will take. This is a great resource for first years who feel uncertain about taking public transportation. Not only is public transportation easy to use and easy on your wallet, it’s also better for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people drive less when cities have better public transit systems. Rather

than each person driving their own individual car, multiple people can travel on the same bus or trolley. It’s also important to note that the San Diego trolleys are electric. This decrease in driving and use of electricity reduces pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The pollutants have a direct negative effect on the environment. NASA explains that carbon monoxide affects the atmosphere’s ability to cleanse itself of other pollutants, which leads to the formation of urban smog. The EPA explains that sulfur dioxide also contributes to urban smog. The pollutant

harms plants by damaging leaves and harms humans by making breathing difficult. Choosing public transportation over personal vehicles ultimately helps decrease the negative effects of car emissions.

Maybe if I knew how to use San Diego’s buses and trams, I wouldn’t have gotten stuck outside Pechanga Arena at two in the morning my first year. The public transportation system is a great alternative to Lyft or Uber thanks to its low cost, its accessibility and its benefits for the environment. Venture off campus and give public transportation a chance.

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.

A bus stop outside USD’s entrance. Jackie Marquez/The USD Vista

The term "SLP" is one that every USD first-year needs to know, especially if they’re hungry or looking for a place to study or unwind. The Student Life Pavilion (SLP) contains a large selection of cuisines, including Mediterranean, a pasta bar, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, wood-fired oven pizzas and a dessert bar with a frozen yogurt machine. On the weekends, the SLP features brunch with a make-your-own toast bar, breakfast burritos etc. The upstairs is also home to the LGBTQ+ Allies Commons, the Women’s Commons, Student Media, Tu Mercado, the Changemaker Space, Law Student Commons and more.

A Beginner's Guide to SLP KIPJ

Saints

"Saints" is about as simple as it gets with USD abbreviations. If you ever need to rent a laptop, Saints is the place to go The building includes computer labs, classes in math, anthropology, computer science and sociology, study abroad resources and the counseling center. Saints is short for Saints

Tekakwitha & Serra Hall, the building across from Maher Hall. Located at the top of campus, right next to the law circle, Saints is a shorter and simpler way to say the building’s name. Some students prefer to call the building "Serra" as well

"KIPJ" stands for the Joan B Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, which is located at the west end of campus, right across from the Knauss School of Business. KIPJ houses political science, history, communication and international business classes, as well as Garden of the Sea and Garden of the Sky two open areas for studying, relaxing and campus events. Right next to the KIPJ is La Paloma, a gourmet cafe with coffees, teas, pastries, salads, sandwiches and more

Photo Courtesy of sandiego edu/dining/campus/pavilion

Photo Courtesy of sandiego.edu/giving/giving-options/student-life-pavilion

Photo Courtesy of sandiego.edu/news/detail

Photo Courtesy of sandiego.edu/scheduling/venues/kroc-facilities/gardens

USD Acronyms JCP The

"JCP" is a commonly heard phrase, especially by USD athletes The JCP is the Jenny Craig Pavilion and in it is the McNamara Fitness Center a large gym with a variety of machines and weights. The JCP contains 5,100 seats for sports events and concerts, as well as locker rooms, sports medicine rooms and a weight room. If you ’ re looking for a good workout or a good game to watch, visit the JCP.

Vistas

"The Vistas" is an abbreviated term for the Alcalá Vista Apartments the apartments at the east end of campus, near the Sports Center. The Vistas are reserved exclusively for sophomore housing

Pac Ridge/Carmel

First-years at USD may have walked by Pacific Ridge, the apartment complex right across the street from the top entrance of campus. When someone refers to the apartment complex as “Pac Ridge” or “PRidge,” there may be no confusion. However, juniors and seniors may refer to Pacific Ridge as “Carmel,” because it used to have the name "Carmel Valley Apartments." Now when you hear someone refer to their apartment as “Carmel,” you’ll be in the loop.

Spread by Khushi Patel/The USD Vista: Content by Katie Foreman/The USD Vista

Photo Courtesy of usdtoreros.com/sports

Photo Courtesy of usdtoreros.com/sports

Photo Courtesy of capdevpartners.com

Photo Courtesy of apartmentguide.com

& FEATURE

New to USD? Join the club! Find your place at the Alcalá Bazaar

KATIE FOREMAN FEATURE EDITOR

The Alcalá Bazaar kicks off the school year with a bang — featuring local vendors, various student organizations and university departments, as well as booths representing academics, religion/spiriutality, multicultural organizations, changemaker groups, athletic clubs and fraternities and sororities. The event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on campus.

There is a club or organization for everyone at USD — and the Bazaar takes place at the beginning of every fall and spring semester for students to discover what clubs spark their interest. Plus, it’s an opportunity to get to know fellow USD classmates.

USD junior Isaac Jasoto is an Alcalá Club member. Jasoto stated that the Alcalá Bazaar is what helped him first get involved on campus.

“I think as a freshman, my biggest recommendation is to just write down your email and join as many clubs as you can, because you never know which community you’ll really find that you’d like to be a part of,” Jasoto said. “Casting your net wide is a really good opportunity to get to know different kinds of people and explore different things you might not originally think you want to do.”

Jasoto noted that the Alcalá Club only recruits first-years. Alcalá Club members are the representatives of USD and work with the President of the University — James T. Harris III. Being a part of the Alcalá Club, Jasoto has attended events he would never have gone to otherwise, which he claims have

been wonderful experiences.

“We do get to regularly talk with the President of the University. We go on semester walks and we just did lunch with him last semester,” Jasoto said.

“That was really cool because you just get a little more insider information on the workings of the school and the vision behind the university and it gets a little more perspective to your time as a student here.”

The Alcalá Club is one of many groups on campus. USD senior Ezra Wheeler is the President of a USD social change organization, Pee in Peace. The transgender and non-binary advocacy group’s goal is quite literally for everyone to be able to pee in peace — which means creating more gender neutral bathrooms on campus.

“Pee in Peace has been a little bit like a second home and a second family to me at USD,” Wheeler said. “It has been a place where I know that I can go to if I have issues as a trans person… I can also just find camaraderie and support and validation.”

The club is open to anyone who supports their mission of providing a safe space for all students. Regarding the Alcalá Bazaar, Wheeler explained how important it is for smaller organizations, such as Pee in Peace, to get their name and face out there.

“I think that the real value in the Alcalá Bazaar is discovering something that maybe you had no idea you would be interested in,” Wheeler said. “It’s important for us to be out there with everyone and get as many eyes on us as possible so that then we can draw in folks who aren’t part of the trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming community.”

Walk Around — Get Involved

The Alcalá Bazaar provides

student organizations and clubs a space to be seen, while also giving students an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging in their club or organization. Strolling around and checking out the diverse display of clubs, fraternities, sororities and organizations can be an eyeopening experience for students who didn’t realize their passion or identity was a commonality amongst other students. The Bazaar is the place to find out about clubs associated with particular majors on campus or clubs celebrating cultures. Students can find a club to connect with their faith or get involved with USD sporting events, or join a fraternity or sorority to engage in philanthropy and social events. The list goes on and on for ways to get involved at USD. It begins by taking the

first step: attending the Bazaar.

USD Junior Sarah Morrison is a part of USD’s Radio Club — under the same umbrella of “student media,” as is the USD Vista — and said how finding her place on campus made all the difference.

“It’s hard going into a major where I feel like I don’t relate to a lot of my peers, but then I have hobbies that I can do and I get to focus on them in clubs,” Morrison said. “[Radio Club] is just really fun. Going in every week and hanging out with a lot of alt people — I feel like that’s where a lot of that scene is at our school.”

There’s a Space For You No matter who you are, what your interests are or what your identity is, there is a space for all at USD. “I think it helps people coming into the school have a good visual of where and what they want to be invested in,” Morrison said. “People can be in a lot of different clubs, and by walking around and talking to people, they can see where they think they’d be the best fit.” Giving an open door to students to take advantage of all the opportunities in front of them: that is the importance of the Alcalá Bazaar.

The Alcalá Club makes an appearance at the Alcalá Bazaar.

Photo courtesy of Isaac Jasoto

Ezra Wheeler at the Pee in Peace table with goodies and educational materials.

Photo courtesy of Ezra Wheeler Students promote the Alcalá Club.

Photo courtesy of Isaac Jasoto

& CULTURE

How to thrive as a first-year

A checklist to succeed in college

College Survival, from Page 1 to the socials and events in the beginning of the year,” Esparza said. “It would’ve been so much easier to make friends and find people with like-minded interests as you, because it can get lonely very quickly as a freshman. I highly suggest making use of every social opportunity that USD provides.”

A Planner/Calendar is your best friend:

One of the most nerveracking parts of being a college student is the amount of things you need to keep track of. Class timings, clubs, events, social calendars, assignments, meetings, impromptu plans, finances, grocery lists, self-care — the list is almost never-ending.

The only way to master the system and thrive in a heavily scheduled environment is to have a heavily organized calendar. Adding your to-do list items and tasks all in one calendar helps you visualize the load of work that is on your plate to complete. It also eases the process of planning your days and weeks, making it super convenient to meet deadlines and keep up with responsibilities.

Whatever system of organizing works for you, make sure you stay on top of it often in order to handle all the different hats you have to wear as a college student.

Make good use of your Meal Swipes:

As a first-year student at USD, it’s mandatory to have a meal plan that allows you to experience different food spots available on campus.

One of the provisions is called a Meal Swipe, and it’s one of the most underrated and underused parts of student dining. Meal Swipes are essentially an all-you-can-eat offer available at dinner and weekend brunch for students; you walk through the dining hall, pick the items that you want and walk out by paying through a swipe, instead of paying for each item individually. This is one of the easiest ways to fully utilize dining services on campus where students can pick up food at dinner and also save it for breakfast or lunch the next day.

Find a study spot early on:

Finding your comfort spot/s on campus for you to spend time at while you get your tasks done is very important. When you get to college, the academic challenges and requirements of being a student change. Finding a spot that feels comfortable enough to work in to meet the new and elevated needs of college is important, especially at the beginning of the semester.

USD junior Soniya Malla shared her take on study spots around campus.

“Places around campus get filled up pretty fast,” Malla said.

“Personally, I think it’s good to study around West Campus, because it’s a long walk from the residential areas so there are less people. The library is such a good spot on West Campus because it has a huge reading hall named after ‘Harry Potter,’ but even in general, there’s always a lot of space and each of the spaces is differently suited to students’ needs. My favorite spot

of all time is the Legal Research Center but it all just depends on what kind of environment you like. Each place on campus is different, and it’s always good to scope out yours first.”

Talk to your Resident Assistant:

Lastly, having an open chain of communication with your Resident Assistant (RA) makes life at college so much easier. RAs are students who have already been through their first year on campus and are trained specifically to help newcomers

navigate their way around USD. They are responsible for being a resource for students to go to when they require assistance. Their position as student leaders is extremely unique, because they’re also students who are experiencing and going through the same motions of college, while having access to knowledge about the campus. Having regular conversations with your RA can help first years not only navigate roommate conflicts and the rules and regulations of residential areas, but also have

a friendly resource to come to when dealing with the daily stresses of life. For commuters, Commuter Assistants and the Commuter Commons act as an equivalent resource. These easy tips are a helpful starter kit for making USD a more familiar ground to enter as a first year. Of course, there is so much more to learn and experience through one’s own exploration on campus, but it always helps to have a helping hand and a window to peer through when starting out a fresh new chapter.

The famous ‘Harry Potter’ room, found in Copley Library. Colin Mullaney/The USD Vista

Students can find opportunities to socialize at USD club events and programs.

Photo courtesy of@mechausd/Instagram

USD welcomes new athletes

Incoming first-years share excitement for their upcoming season

LAUREN CEBALLOS SPORTS EDITOR

As the academic year looms, many student athletes are returning to campus, hopeful for a successful season. Among them are some exemplary recruits from the class of 2027, who exhibited great potential in high school and great promise of more athletic feats in their futures. Coming from all over the world, these athletes are a glimpse of what the USD class of 2027 has to offer, and their enthusiasm to join their new teams is only a prelude of the value they will bring to the university.

Basketball: Malia Tharpe

Australian athlete, Malia Tharpe, has brought her career to the U.S. upon her commitment to the USD women’s basketball team.

“I’ve been playing basketball since I could walk… since I was only 14, I wanted to go to the states and go to college,” Tharpe said.

Tharpe’s parents planted the seed, centering their lives around basketball, which translated to Tharpe’s love of the game and her hopes of playing professionally, either in the European league or in Australia.

Tharpe’s athletic accolades entail a long list, including multiple State and the semiprofessional Australian league, NBL1, team recognitions, MVP awards, rookie awards and many more, preparing her to compete at the collegiate level.

Tharpe commented on her feelings toward the upcoming season.

“I’m a little bit nervous,

but I’m mostly excited… We’ve got such a good group of girls this year,” Tharpe said.

Tharpe explained her comeback after her struggle of not making the state team in Australia during high school, which helped her basketball career immensely.

“I worked really hard to make that state team and then I wasn’t picked… I really just trained and worked a lot harder on my fitness, on my shots… After that, I made a lot of state teams, and it just went upward from there and it was kind of a pivotal changing moment,” Tharpe said.

When she is not at practice, conditioning, class or getting some extra shots up, Tharpe spends her time at the beaches that San Diego has to offer, as well as taking in her new college campus here in the U.S.

“I think that the college level is a whole new step, compared to the Australian NBL1 League. I think that the attitudes and the intensity is very high and the pace of the game is definitely a lot higher,” Tharpe said.

Football: Jaevon Reels

In hopes of trying a new sport and connecting with his dad, Jaevon Reels began playing football his first year of high school in San Jose, California.

As a defensive lineman, Reels described his relationship with football.

“It’s very bittersweet. It comes with a lot of ups and downs, but it does teach you a lot about adversity, how to go through it and to be a good person on and off the field,” Reels said.

Reels explained how some of his best accomplishments were with his high school team in making it to state and winning

the Central Coast Section (CCS), title. In preparation for college football, Reels described his experience with his personal trainer back in San Jose, with other college players and even a few pros.

“It’s one thing to be coached by someone who has a lot of knowledge. It’s another to also see other people actually go through reps so you get to pick their brain and see what they have. You really get an advantage in seeing what you

need to do like reading your keys, or just little details that will make you a better player and person,” Reels said.

Reels shared how ready he is for the season with his family being his strength.

“I’ve always been a very competitive person. Whether it’s with my teammates or even just myself, pushing myself to different limits. Also just seeing what motivation is like for me… whenever I’m out on the field and I have trouble or I’m tired… I think about everything my mom has ever done for me,” Reels said.

Rowing: Siera Leete

From Ft. Lauderdale, Siera Leete began her career as a swimmer, until Leete’s coach encouraged her to join crew, explaining the advantage she would have with her height as a rower.

Leete explained her transition between sports.

“I first competed [for swim] from seventh to eleventh grade, and the coach has always been like ‘you’re tall, you should try rowing.’ So I was like ‘okay I’ll try it,’ and I just really fell in love with it,” Leete said.

One of Leete’s greatest

accomplishments was racing in the Head of the Charles Regatta, the largest two day rowing event, her senior year of high school, as well as her academic scholarship to USD. Leete didn’t expect to join crew in college, however, USD’s coach told her to watch the girl row when she visited and offered her a spot on the team. When Leete is not rowing, she spends her time helping the community and caring for her friends.

“I hope I can make a few girls laugh and just be there for them… be a caring person with the girls and lift people up, because at the end of the day, it’s competitive but we’re all there to be friends and work hard together, and we’re all going through similar things,” Leete said.

These athletes are ready and excited to begin their seasons after summer training. They have prepared, with past experiences as well as team workouts and additional training for the betterment of themselves. Each of them have something different to offer to USD Athletics, as do all other incoming freshmen and new Toreros.

Malia Tharpe shoots a basket.

Photo courtesy of @perthlynx/Instagram

“[Football] comes with a lot of ups and downs, but it does teach you a lot about adversity, how to go through it and to be a good person on and off the field.”

- Jaevon Reels

Siera Leete has rowed competitively since high school.

Photo courtesy of Michele Leete

Jaevon Reels runs through a drill during practice.

Photo courtesy of @pierrepierreproductions/Instagram