Hello parents, and welcome to USC.
Rest assured, the tuition you’ve spent has not been in vain. Despite the flashbacks to your own college days of varying rambunctiousness, perhaps triggered by the many nights of unanswered texts to your child, we can assure that great things are indeed happening at USC.
Are you still skeptical? We don’t blame you. After all, you only want what’s best for your son or daughter, and we understand that.
Perhaps a stroll through the historical Horseshoe is in order. While you meander through the lush foliage and idyllic walkways, picture your student casually reviewing their subjects among friends one sunny afternoon on the green. That should soothe your worries.
Speaking of academics, the Thomas Cooper Library, in all its glory, is surely worth touring. We can’t tell you how many sleepless nights cramming we’ve spent studying in those stacks.
Oh, did we say cramming? Forget that, because the only thing that could be considered crammed right about now is the campus, as Gamecock families descend on the streets.
Parking is undoubtedly a hot commodity right about now, which may be frustrating for you.
Trust us, we can relate. Despite how nice campus may look, not all is peachy in paradise.
Unfortunately, many of the logistical issues you’re facing now are a daily challenge for us. We’d be remiss to keep from saying that the university is overpopulated, as classrooms are clearly filled to the brim, parking is in drastic shortage and campus’s streets is a continual snafu.
In fact, issues like those are our biggest criticism of USC nowadays. Aside from the obvious overcrowding, communications between the university and students can be rather lackluster as well.
Like any campus in an urban environment, crime is byproduct of the location. Consequently, alerts of any suspicious activity are best communicated quickly and efficiently, words that often don’t describe USC’s Carolina Alert — at least not quite yet.
Alas, we Gamecocks tend to have a short memory, as most things are forgiven come gameday, when we pile into Williams-Brice Stadium and experience the glory that is “Sandstorm.” With a nationally ranked football team that’s done well in recent years, it’s good to have that venue to take the edge off our college workload.
Should you go to the game, we’d be surprised if you don’t agree.
Like any school, USC has its ups and downs. Fortunately for us, most of our criticisms can be remedied. We’ve been happy to report any steps the school has taken to improve student life, and lately, we’ve been impressed with improvements in student safety, dining, athletic ticketing and much more.
While USC still has much to improve on, progress is being made nonetheless. The school is in good hands with President Harris Pastides, and with an increasingly passionate and qualified student body, it’s safe to say the outlook is bright.