The year is over with and you survived, so be encouraged. The residents are gone and you’re about to be dismissed after building walk-throughs. Oh, how sweet it is to know that your hard work throughout the school-year has all been worth it now.
The lasting memories shared with residents throughout the year are the best part about this job. Whether you’re a mentor, Learning Assistant, Resident Assistant or Residence Coordinator, the impression left upon residents are memories that will never be forgotten. I promise you, all the missed programs, noise complaints, accident reports and yelling about mapworks is all part of the overall experience. It’s probably the best part about the job, I won’t say that I enjoyed my residents missing events, but that just gave me another chance to go talk with them and be more intentional about developing a relationship. I mean, isn’t that what college is all about anyway? Developing and connecting relationships with people that will last a lifetime and thrive outside of the classroom. What a feeling that is for sure, there is nothing quite like it!
I know it gets rough sometimes for sure, it’s definitely not all “easy peezy lemon squeezy” at all. There have definitely been moments where I wanted to grab someone and let them have a piece of my mind. I don’t know what it is about residents from year to year, but the boldness factor is consistently changing and they are always trying to push the limits on my patience. There’s no time for games with them and I always let them know what’s up. But some of the best moments have come from altercations that lead to breakthroughs with deeper problems.
It’s definitely so interesting to be able to witness all that has happened over the course of the year and look back with amazement. I'm amazed my residents didn’t do anything to me when I know they were conjuring something up with their trifling selves. I'm amazed I didn’t lose it when I definitely wanted to just go bat-shit crazy on them. I'm amazed we made it altogether and can look back on this next year when they’re friends and no longer residents. I'm amazed at how far they've come, how much they've taught me and how thankful I am for this experience.
So congratulations, you did it! Give yourself a pat on the back. Enjoy your summer and prepare for another wild ride in August. It's definitely one of the most difficult things we've ever done, but it makes us stronger, better people, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
