It takes a certain kind of person to take on the role of resident assistant. Being caring, but tough. Having time management skills and also flexibility. Having patience when you get asked the same question for the sixth time in one day. Each day holds different and unique challenges, like figuring out where that stench has been coming from for days or why the fire alarm is going off at 3 a.m. But for some crazy reason, you love it anyway.
Your bulletin board paper is too short for the board.
After you spent 15 minuets getting the edges straight.
The only way to get residents to a hall activity is the promise of free food.
Pizza never fails.
Seeing something you wish you hadn't seen and having to "document the situation."
"Incident report" has become a common term in your vocabulary.
The never ever ending cycle that are work orders.
Why are there always so many?
The horror of when the duty phone goes off in the middle of class.
Then trying to explain what the duty phone is. Just don't.
Constantly reminding residents of quiet hours.
Yes you can, and you will.
Finding an animal in the residence hall.
And why do you have this cat in your tiny cinderblock room again?
The feeling you get when you've successfully mediated a roommate conflict.
It's the little victories.
Saying hi to your residents outside of the hall.
"Cool RA" is your middle name.
Sometimes, you find yourself in the strangest situations working in residence life.
You just never know what the day holds.
Finding your resident breaking rules and listening to their reasoning for why.
Yes, continue to ramble as I document the situation.
Having a buddy to help you in all Res Life related tasks.
These people are your sanity. Outsiders don't understand this world you live in.
Then you have those sweet moments with your residents that make you remember why you were crazy enough to be an RA.
