I have had the privilege of being a Resident Advisor (RA) for the past two years. Being an RA has been one of the best and most challenging experiences of my life. I have been able to meet new people and build connections that I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. I was able to be with residents during their highs and their lows and see them in their rawest forms. Being an RA isn't just a job you have to make some cash, it is a responsibility, privilege, and blessing given to you. I am not going to lie; some days will be hard. You will have moments that you will want to quit, moments where you wonder why they hired you, and moments where you feel like the worst RA that has ever lived. Trust me; we have all been there. Let me be the first to tell you that you can do this. You'll make mistakes, we all do, but you will also make a difference in some, if not all, of your residents' lives. When your resident texts you to tell you they passed a test they thought they were going to fail, or when they say they got out of their comfort zone today, or when they send you words of encouragement, every struggle you have faced that week will be worth it. You will feel like one proud mama!
My advice to you is simple: pour into your residents. Pray for them in person and in private. Text them randomly during the week to see how they are. Spend time getting to know everything about them. Support them when they need someone, even if they say they don't.
Also, the littlest things make the most impact. For example, making final exam care packages. Every semester I made care packages for my 24 residents for $20 or less. The smiles on their faces and texts of gratitude, although not needed or expected, was a fantastic feeling. If your resident texts you at 11 at night asking for you to see if their shower ceiling is leaking while you have a towel on your head and a facemask on, go. If your resident texts you and asks you to rub aloe on their burnt body because they didn't wear sunscreen, go. Don't sigh, roll your eyes, seem bothered, or say "this isn't part of my job," because it is. (And yes, this all happened to me while I was an RA). Be present, be supportive, and overall, be the best that you can be.
