Being an RA is not a job for everyone, but you were hired to do it, way to go! I am a second year RA and in my two years, I have learned a lot about how this job can either be really easy or really time-consuming. So I have come up with a few tips on how to get the most out of this job.
1. Move-in can and will be stressful, but it's also a good time to bond with your staff! Show them how you can be a team player because this is the first time you are actually in the RA role.
2 Start talking to your residents as soon as they get there. It is kind of essential to be one of the first faces they see and have a sense of familiarity with them.
3. If you want a good relationship with your residents, you need to understand what their preconceived notions of an RA are and change those for them.
4. Another tip is to find a good balance between friend and authoritative figure. My first year I was really good friends with my residents, but that made it more difficult for them to take me seriously.
5. Print out as much as you can for your bulletin boards and door decorations!! Especially if you have a ton of residents! This will save you time, but it will also make them look nicer.
*Bonus tip: Pinterest will be your best friend when it comes to ideas. If you don't have an account, create one. Like, now.
6. While we're talking about bulletin boards and door decorations, please, PLEASE, invest in double-sided tape. It is really a game changer and also makes the process a lot faster and easier.
7. Find a good balance between work and school. Being an RA can be time-consuming and it can seem very difficult to find that balance right away, but try to remain organized and see the best way to spend your time.
8. Take the time to find out the kind of programs that your residents would actually want to go to. This can be difficult if you have to follow a specific theme, but at least you'll know you can get your residents to come if you have pizza there.
9. Getting good at conflict management is a must, but sometimes it can be easier to deal with conflict when you know both parties well. This is why it's good to know your residents and how they are as people.
10. Not all of your residents will love you. That was a hard pill for me to swallow. But, you can get your residents to respect you which is almost as great. Remember to be a good person and try to be as helpful as you can.
11. Lean on your coworkers for support! It is great to have a good relationship with someone who is in the same position as you and understands what you're going through. My coworkers are some of my best friends.
12. HAVE FUN. So cliche, I know, but it's so important. You get to help make fun events and get to meet so many new people. Remember to not take it to seriously or be too hard on yourself when something goes wrong.
I hope you will be successful as an RA and I hope these tips help you to do so!
