Going to college is scary. We all come in at the same time with one thing in common: no more parents. We might make a few friends during rush week or on move-in day, but all of our moms and dads end up driving away eventually. Now here we are -- no parents, no chores, and no silly rules. Then, shortly after arriving, the announcement comes for a “mandatory dorm meeting.” The dorm resident assistants bring everyone together to lay down the law. No overnight visitors. No alcohol in the dorm. Two dorm checks a month to make sure it’s clean. The meeting seems like it would never end, but it does, and we are sent on our way. All of a sudden, our idea of college has changed. It's like we are back at home with all the rules and chores and everything else.
Time goes on, though, and the RAs become less like substitute parents and more like actual human beings just trying to go to college. If you've ever spent time to get to know them or talked to them for just a few minutes, here are five things you should thank them for next time you see them.
1. Thank them for making you clean your dorm.
Lord only knows what could be growing in your room if it wasn’t for the bi-weekly dorm checks. It might be the only two days out of the month that your dorm is clean, but it still counts, right?
2. Thank them for always saying “hi” to you in public.
It’s always nice to see someone you know while walking to class or in the dining hall. A friendly face is always nice before that class you’re dreading or after a bad day.
3. Thank them for never getting mad when you lock yourself out.
We all have those mornings or moments when we’re rushing out the door trying to be somewhere on time. In the chaos, some of us (myself especially) forget the one thing we need to not only get into our building but into our dorm. Thank goodness the RAs have a master key to all of the dorms, or I would be sleeping on the bench outside.
4. Thank them for always checking up on you.
Whether they stalk you on social media or notice that you’re having a bad day, your RA has always been the one person to ask how you’re doing. Thank them for knocking on your door to get you out of your dorm and inviting you to get food.
5. Thank them for being your parent away from home.
While your RA may not be old enough to be your mom, they sometimes do have that motherly instinct. Always so nice and helpful. Answering your questions and giving out genuine compliments. Laughing at your jokes and just being a good friend.They might not feel like they’re taking care of you, but you know they’re always there.
Here’s to all the Resident Assistants around campus. You may feel as if you have no part of our lives here on campus, other than enforcing a few rules here and there, but some of us really do appreciate you. We might get mad when you fine us for a dirty room or tell us we have to be quiet late at night, but we respect you for what you’re doing. You know what it's like to be away from home and trying to manage life on your own, so it's nice to have someone to help us out when we're stuck. It takes a special person to be put in charge of a floor full of college kids while taking care of themselves.
So, next time you see your RA in the hall or pass them on the way to class, be nice and ask how they’re doing. They might act like they have this whole college thing figured out, but we all know what it's like to lose control of life and need that extra push of motivation to get through a long week.
