As my first semester as a resident assistant (RA) comes to an end, I start to think about how being an RA has changed my life for the better.
I remember back in August coming back to college for RA training and thinking that this position wouldn't be so hard, but it wasn't a piece of cake. By the time semester started, the position started to get a little bit stressful, harder, and a little bit scary. I would say that being an RA is probably the toughest and most stressful thing I've ever done in life, but it has also been the most amazing thing I have ever done.
At the beginning of the semester, I was having a tough time with my depression and if it wasn't for the RA position, I don't know where I would be right now. I am eternally thankful for this position because it gave me new friends and the best residents.
Coming into the RA position, I didn't think about making new friends or friendships within the Residence Life staff. I can genuinely say that I am lucky because I have made some lifelong friends within the Residence Life staff. If it hadn't been for these friends, I don't think I would be where I am today. All the friends and bonds I have made changed my life because of the impact that have made on my personal growth.
I've had some ups and downs with my residents like any other RA does, but the 30-something boys I have on my floor are probably some of the funniest, outspoken, outgoing, and caring group of boys I've ever met in my life. They have helped me grow so much as an individual and taught me so much more about myself than anyone ever has. My residents have taught that life is about having fun and not being afraid to make mistakes. And they have given me some of my best memories of college from giving me a baby doll and calling me dad all the way to rearranging my room. It is memories like those that will stay with for the rest of my life. I love them for giving me memories like that. I love them because they have become my family.
Also, my staff are the best. I love my staff because they have helped me get through some tough times. And I would never think I would have staff so caring, so accepting, and so funny. I have such a good time with them whenever we are all together. They have made being an RA a 100 times better and have taught so many things about myself like how I am capable of more than I know and worth so much more than I think. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them and looking forward to working with them next semester.
Overall the RA position has changed my life because of the interactions I've had with people and that building community is love, care, acceptance, and embracing change. And that is what being an RA has done for me. It has allowed me to gain new friends and interact with different people who have taught me something new about myself every day.
