Being a Resident Assistant, especially to first-year students, is an amazing opportunity; but it also comes with a lot of responsibility, and you'll have some experiences you'd never thought you'd have. Here's a look at RA life through the eyes of our favorite Office: Dunder Mifflin.
1. Seeing Your Residents in Themed Party Attire
And then they act like it's totally normal for them to be going out at 9pm wearing 80s clothes. "The RA will never know--Just. Be. Casual."
2. When Your Residents are Doing Something Funny, But It's Against Dorm Rules
It's like having a small child: someone has to be the adult and tell them no. But sometimes you just can't hold back the laughter.
3. When Your Staff Thinks It's Gonna Be a Rough Weekend, But It's Incident-Free
Being prepared for the worst and having nothing to handle is better than relaxing and suddenly having a million incidents to deal with. You can't help but congratulate your fellow RAs for an easy weekend.
4. Having an Awesome Turnout for a Program
Nothing is more rewarding than planning a bomb program and having a huge turnout.
5. Trying to Get to Know Them and Be Involved in Their Lives
It's part of the job--you're just trying to establish a relationship with them, damnit!
6. When Your Residents Tell You How Awesome You Are
Once in awhile, they cut you some slack and remind you that you're actually doing okay.
7. Trying to Take a Unit Selfie
You love all your residents--which means you need to get every single one in the snapchat.
8. Going Through Your First Incident
The adrenaline kicks in and you realize your training kicks in too. You don't have to think about what to do--you just do it, and before you know it, the situation is handled and you're sitting down to fill out the Incident Report.
9. Hearing a Resident Admit That You Were Right About Something
They tend to forget that you've been in their places at one time or another. When you give them advice, it's based on real-life experience--you aren't just blowing steam.
10. Realizing Pizza is Enough to Get People to Show Up to Your Program
If there's one thing college students love, it's free food. Want people to come to programs?? Order them pizza and BAM --they'll at least make an appearance.
11. Celebrating Your Residents' Acheivements
They pass a hard test, they get an Exec position in their favorite club, or the internship they were dying for; regardless of what it is, you get to be there to celebrate it with them. And if you're lucky like I've been, they celebrate your victories with you, too.
12. Before You Know It, They've Become Your Little Family
Are they a handful sometimes? Definitely. But suddenly, you can't imagine your school year without your residents.
13. Remembering You Won't Live With Them Again.
You've forgotten that after this, you won't be living with them anymore--so when move-out starts approaching, you have to remind yourself that "No, this isn't forever."
14. You Love Them, And Couldn't Be More Proud Of How They've Grown This Year
Finals Week comes and goes, move-out happens, and as you pack up your stuff and reflect on the year, you can't help but be proud of the young adults your residents have become. You know you'll follow the rest of their college careers on Facebook at the very least--and with every success, you'll feel a little pang of pride. They'll always be your residents.