Student view: Finding community and connection as a transfer student at MSU

Ella Jones is a junior at Michigan State University majoring in public relations. She grew up in Davison, Michigan, and attended Davison High School. She now lives in East Lansing full-time to focus on her career and studies.

Transferring to a Big Ten university in the middle of freshman year was both exciting and overwhelming, but I worried about finding my place. Coming from a small community college, I was drawn to the endless opportunities — top-tier academics, a vibrant student life and the energy of game days — but adjusting to a larger campus was an entirely new experience. Navigating lecture halls filled with hundreds of students, exploring different clubs and trying to build connections in an already established community was both challenging and rewarding. While the transition wasn’t the easiest, stepping outside my comfort zone was the key to truly making this place feel like home.

Finding a community

One of the best ways that helped me find my place on campus was exploring clubs and student organizations. This was definitely out of my comfort zone, as I had to push myself to interact with so many new faces. From academic organizations to intramural sports and cultural groups, there were countless ways to meet people who share my interests. Fortunately, Michigan State has a strong transfer program that holds several events to support transfer students. Throughout my three years, I have been part of many organizations that helped me build connections and make campus feel more like home.

Stepping up to the plate

Joining an intramural softball team was one of the best decisions I made as a transfer student, helping me to build lasting friendships and feel more connected to campus life. At first, I was hesitant to join because I only knew one friend, but stepping onto the field quickly broke down those initial barriers. The shared excitement of game days, post-practice hangouts and team spirit created an instant sense of belonging. Through practices and competition, I bonded with teammates over our love for the sport but, more importantly, I found a group of friends who supported me both on and off the field. I now have something to look forward to every spring semester.

What started as a way to stay active turned into a meaningful part of my college experience, proving that, sometimes, the best connections come from taking a leap outside your comfort zone.