When did you feel that first sense of campus community? Did you meet a friend in the library or in the Freudian Sip line, waiting to order your coffee? Perhaps it was in a particular class, or in a random encounter trying to plug in your charger at one of the solar stations on campus.

Whether you’re transferring from community college or beginning your educational journey as an incoming freshman, navigating the new world of CSUN can be a little overwhelming. Sharing your story of overcoming these challenges can ease the transition of other students entering the university. Whatever your story is, California State University, Northridge would love to hear it.

CSUN invites all students to participate in the “Matador Moments: First Year Stories” online event. You can share your story in a variety of ways — in a video clip, short essay, PowerPoint video, or photographs of you participating in community life.

Your Matador memory can make a positive impact on the lives of new students by inspiring incoming Matadors to cultivate CSUN connections. Sharing your story about an experience during your first year that contributed to your success can help new students feel at ease knowing that you were able to do it — and if you did it, they can too.

A Matador Moment can be any type of experience, whether success or challenge.

The best shared experience will win a $100 CSUN MataMoney gift card, and will be celebrated at a ceremony April 24. The top five entries will be featured in a video during 2019 New Student Orientation, welcoming incoming students. Your story will help the difficult, and sometimes awkward, transition to university life.