Setting the stage: Resident Advisors are either adored, tolerated, or hated for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, college dorm buildings require a figurehead or disciplinarian in order to prevent anarchy from overpowering the building. Great Resident Advisors can win the affection of their residents, and comfortably take the role of mentor, being able to successfully walk the fine line between friendly figure and disciplinarian. Others may not have the same success, facing a great deal of adversity from distrusting residents, strong willed opposition, or even a lack of self-confidence from the RA themselves. No matter what environment your college RA has established, it is important that you, as the resident, realize these 10 statements from your RA are largely true.

The List

1. Your College RA cares about you as an individual

The misconception certainly exists that RA's view their residents as a pack of sheep, with them as the shepherd. That simply is not the case. However, it may be easy to believe that as Resident Advisors typically have resident assignments of anywhere between 15 to 40 people. While your RA may not always hear you, see you, or talk to you, they want to be informed as to how you are doing and how you're feeling. Being a part of a resident's life is not mandatory, it is rewarding and can be just as impactful to the RA as it is to the resident.

2. We did not just do it for the free room...

Trust me, receiving a room to yourself that is paid for (as well as the potential to have a free meal plan depending on the school) is certainly a perk, but resident advisors face a great deal of obstacles and difficulties because of the role in which they are placed. While living in your own 10 by 20 block of space is nice, it is never really our own. Residents flock to the RA's room for advice, assistance, or even just for comfort. Those who desire a position simply for the room be warned, you may be getting yourself into more than what you expected. Typically, the Resident Life Office will weed out applicants who express an interest in the award as their main factor for applying. Despite the popular belief, your RA is not doing it for the room, but for YOU!

3. Safety is at the forefront!

Writing incident reports and scolding residents certainly is not our main priority when we are given responsibility for the building. It is a great responsibility knowing that while the building is under an RA's supervision, that they have anywhere from 50 to 300 lives in their hands! Ultimately, if you get written up for doing something that can potentially harm yourself or others, know that it is not out of spite, but simply for your protection as well as your peers. Nobody enjoys those pesky fire alarms either, but please understand that in the event of an actual emergency, your RA may in fact be responsible for your life!

4. We want you to SUCCEED!

Any good RA wants you to succeed because having the opportunity to watch you attain your goals and grow as an individual is far more rewarding than being given your own free room. If your RA seems persistent and naggy, view it as a sign of interest, that your RA wants to do whatever it is to help you reach your goals, so that they can indeed feel that rewarding feeling.

5. RA's do not write the rules

This is just a matter of fact, every RA staff has its own handbook that lays out the expectations and laws for the residents. RA's have to abide by these rules, and sometimes even more strict rules. Being the disciplinarian is more of a hassle than a reward, so blaming the RA for doing their job will certainly not leave them with a very warm and fuzzy feeling come the end of their supervisory shift. Just understand that while the rules may seem annoying and unfair, that your RA is not discriminating or being a narc, but expecting you to follow the rules that everyone else is expected to follow.

6. We are students as well

Coming to your RA's room for advice is always welcomed and in fact encouraged, but waking them up at 3:00 in the morning is, well, not. RA's can be any major on campus, from Criminal Justice, to Communications, to TV and Film, to Sport and Exercise Science, to Physician Assistant and Nursing. As you can tell, these majors are not exactly considered, "easy", and prove to require several hours of commitment and effort. While your RA is your mentor and supervisor, they are expected to place academics first, with the job coming after.

7. They're human?

Yes, RA's are indeed human, all of which having been freshmen in college with very little knowledge of rules or expectations as to how to act in a college setting. We make mistakes, we are students, and we have consciences. We have our own friends, obligations, and hobbies to keep ourselves happy. If an RA makes a decision that you may view as wrong or slips up by breaking a rule, realize that they are only trying to balance their academics, happiness, and their incredibly difficult job. We all make mistakes, and RA's are no exception.

8. It's stressful living in a fishbowl

RA's are clear figureheads and leaders on campus, and to assume that they are not often watched is nothing but silly. Everyone is constantly looking to their RA to witness how they manage college, as well as seeing if their RA's make mistakes. People want to know what they can get away with, as well as testing the leadership capabilities of an RA. RA's are natural leaders that people unknowingly imitate, so living your life as though everyone is always watching is remarkably stressful. If we seem unforgiving, uptight or inhuman at times, please understand that we are marked individuals that everyone is watching. We act as the best versions of ourselves to encourage growth from those around us.

9. It's our home too

When we ask you to turn down your music, lower your voices, or even pick up your trash from around the building, understand that we call that same environment home. We are not simply your supervisors, but also your fellow residents. We only ask you to do those things out of respect, because we certainly take the time to show you that same courtesy.

10. For us, your growth is our reward

While this point may seem remarkably cheesy, realize that we do not receive enough compensation to make up for all of the drama and difficult situations we have been placed in. Because this reward in itself is not enough, we view our impact on the residents themselves as extremely fulfilling and heart warming. In freshman settings especially, watching a group of former high school students become acclimated to college and start their adult lives brings us happiness, as we know that we have encouraged and helped shape that growth within our residents. Residents are not names on a clipboard, or room numbers, they are unique people that demand attention and deserve the opportunity to grow into the best version of themselves that they can be.

Resident Advisors help you, as DeSales University's patron Saint attests, "Be who you are and be that well".