Surprise! Your RA (Resident Assistant) doesn't actually want to get you in trouble. In fact, they would much rather not deal with your drunk sarcasm at 1 a.m. on a Monday.

They just want to do their job, which is to keep their residents safe! Whether that's protecting them from themselves, making them aware of the risks and consequences of going out and drinking too much, or calling UVAC when they're passed out from alcohol poisoning.

I asked for some input from my fellow RAs, and here are a few things we want you to know!

1. We call UVAC/UMPD for a reason

Like I said, we aren’t out to get you! Our job is to keep our community (the residence halls) a safe and healthy environment for everyone! Be respectful!

“Don’t be stupid” – Austin, 2 years as an RA.

And if you’re wondering what we mean by, “don’t be stupid”...here’s a funny story. I was once holding a program in the lobby of my building when three drunk guys tried to steal our community microwave. They tried to walk by a room filled with 20 people, and casually walk out the front door with the microwave... Stupid.

2. We are here for you

I mean this in a number of different ways. First, it’s your RA’s job to know about resources/clubs/activities on campus. So if you’re looking for something to do, chat with your RA while they’re on duty. If they can’t answer your questions, they'll know who can answer them.

We are also here for you personally. I know it’s hard to see us as “peers” but that’s what we are! We can be a huge resource for you. We are trained for whatever you need to talk about! So come vent about your roommate, your relationship, your academic struggles, whatever it may be!

“When I’m dealing with a more sensitive situation, a lot of residents use the line, ‘You only care because it’s your job.’ And I really wish they knew (or believed me when I told them) that the opposite is actually true: Most of us got the job because we already cared!” –Rachel, 2 years as an RA.

3. This is a hard job

During the year I was an RA I had so much stuff going on, I’m not sure how I managed it all. I was working 20 hours a week as an RA, 20 hours a week at my part-time job, AND going to school full-time. It was exhausting! And many other people on my staff had even crazier and busier schedules than mine!

So, while we will open our doors at 2 am the night before an exam to let you back into your room, please remember we are students too! Be respectful and don’t take advantage!

“I wish people knew that being an RA is hard, time-consuming, and emotionally straining sometimes, but we do it because we care. We aren’t perfect, and we make mistakes too.” – Adya, 2 years as an RA.

If you didn’t know, RAs go through a difficult and specific interviewing process — that’s right, the work starts even before you even get the job. But it’s how they find the best people possible to keep residents safe.

After this interview process comes to the 1-2 week training process (which we repeat every-single-semester). Where we literally spend every waking moment preparing for students to arrive. We are trained in various safety issues, drugs and alcohol, suicide prevention and ideation, and so much more!

We love our residents and do whatever we can to provide a safe, fun, and healthy environment for them!