Cal State Fullerton PRSSA
by Emily Cordero | December 18, 2025
If you asked me two years ago where I saw my college experience going, I never would have envisioned being where I am now.
The Identity Crisis of a Transfer Student
It is hard to prepare for the imposter syndrome that sets in as an upperclassman stepping onto their university campus for the first time. Fall 2025 marked my first semester at Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) as a third-year transfer student, and in my first week, I felt very isolated and unsure of myself. I had already completed two years of college, but I was once again filling the role of the new kid on campus and struggling with the feeling that I was behind on the “normal” college experience. I knew I could not bear another two years of college without a sense of motivation and community, so I made it my goal to find the organizations and resources that would enhance my experience at CSUF.
From Isolation to Involvement: The Keys to Transfer Success
The saying “life is what you make it” rings especially true in college. Involvement on any level makes you a better student because it motivates you and builds a community you can rely on for laughter, tears, and everything in between.
Find your motivation.
There are numerous ways to find motivation as a student, ranging from academic pursuits to social activities, charity work, and more. The most important thing is that you have fun doing those things and that you walk away feeling a sense of satisfaction and success. Clubs and organizations are a great motivator because they connect you with people who have the same or similar interests as you, and they give you opportunities to grow and learn in those fields.
Monét Andrade, CSUF PRSSA’s Vice President of External Communications, was not sure she even wanted to join the organization when she transferred to Fullerton in the fall of 2024. “I was shy and didn’t know anyone,” said Andrade. “However, after attending the Fall 2024 Kickoff event… I quickly knew this was a community I wanted to be a part of.” As a transfer student, joining PRSSA has motivated Monét and enhanced her college experience by introducing her to like-minded peers, encouraging her to communicate with professors and mentors, and providing her with social and professional opportunities she had not even known existed.
The value of contributing to a club, the campus newspaper, or a larger organization like PRSSA shouldn’t be underestimated, as it encourages you to apply that same motivation and learned skills to all areas of your life.
Find your community.
Community means something different to everyone, especially at a school with over 40,000 students, but that is what makes CSUF so amazing for a transfer student looking to find their niche at a university.
Like Monét, Esther Sepulveda joined CSUF PRSSA after attending the Fall 2024 kickoff event. Esther came for the In-N-Out and stayed for the “professionals, the awesome panels that are hosted, the tours we take, and the immense amount of opportunities and internships offered.” Esther now serves as the VP of Sponsorship and Fundraising for PRSSA and has found an inclusive community that fosters “meaningful relationships that turn into actual friendships” with people who share her same goals and motivations. This community has not only benefited Esther professionally but has also provided a strong social foundation for her.
This is just one example of the benefits of finding your community and getting involved on campus. Your community can also be your study group from class, your gym buddies, or the people you cheer with during sporting events. Knowing that there are people around you who support and relate to you makes the transfer experience much smoother.
Utilize your resources.
A variety of resources are available on campus to make the transfer process smooth for every student. The best starting point as a transfer student wanting to get involved is to follow student organizations on social media. Associated Students, Inc., CSUF (ASI) and Student Life and Leadership (SLL) Instagram accounts were lifesavers when it came to being aware of the major campus events happening early in the semester. Another great resource for transfer students is the Transfer, Adult Re-entry, Parenting, and Pregnant (TAPP) Center. TAPP offers advising, personal growth opportunities, and professional development workshops to ensure that students do not get lost in the transfer process and are prepared for their next steps once they leave CSUF. TAPP also employs students on campus, which is another great opportunity to get involved or stay connected.
What Defines Me
I might be a transfer student, but as the fall semester comes to a close, I truly feel like I belong at CSUF as I pursue my degree while being involved with various campus organizations. Through PRSSA, I am finding my own motivation and community, which encourages me to be the best student I can be every day, and I no longer feel defined by my transfer status. There is always more for you to gain when you push beyond your comfort zone and carve out the future for yourself, rather than waiting for it to happen.