During my first year as an RA, I've learned a lot of things. Many of these things were learned during training but some of these things were learned through experience. I'm so grateful for everything that I've learned throughout this semester. Here is a list of ten things I learned my first year as an RA.
1. Residents always come first.
There have definitely been times where I've been so drained from my day, have a pile of homework sitting in front of me, and I hear a resident crying in their room. I knocked on the door and we both sat on the ground eating ice cream doing our work. Sure my life might seem busy but I am always there for my residents at the end of the day, no matter what.
2. When in doubt, call a Co-RA!
Right before I busted my first party of the semester, I was so nervous. I knew that I couldn't do it on my own so I called my co. I'm so happy I did because I learned so much from her. My co's had so much valuable information and we definitely utilized each other. There were times where I got sick and a co had to take my duty night or vice versa.
3. Set boundaries with your residents.
I soon learned how important it is to set boundaries with my residents. My residents definitely tried my patience and pushed my buttons. I had to lay down the law and let them know that I mean business. I learned to respect my residents in order to gain their respect back.
4. Take pride in your floor.
I was so proud of my floor this past year! I'm so happy that I took pride in my bulletin boards and door decs, my residents appreciated all of the hard work I put into them each month. I was so proud of all of my residents too! I always feel like a proud soccer mom whenever my residents won sporting events or awards on campus.
5. Your residents will come to you for a lot of things not just a lockout.
There have been times in my first year as an RA when residents have come to my door with a lot of different questions. The most typical is a lockout. The more random ones have been asking for help on homework all the way to some residents asking for a condom. Sometimes residents even came to my door for relationship advice or advice about their life.
6. Get out of your room sometimes!
This was especially hard for me to grasp at first. I thought that I had to be in my room all the time and I soon learned that I didn't have to. My residents liked seeing me outside of my room and actually approached me more about things. I learned that its okay for me to leave my room sometimes. Residents were surprised to see me doing normal college student things like spending time in the library.
7. Think twice about what you post on social media.
Even though I might not necessarily be friends with all of my residents on social media, I know I am always on somebody's radar. I don't have anything to hide from them but I always think twice about how someone might interpret something I post. I've seen RAs get in some trouble from what they post.
8. Get to know your residents.
I am so happy that I took a little time to get to know my residents. I learned what their majors are as well a few facts about them like sports they play or hobbies they have. Taking notes of their friends and learning who they hang out was extremely valuable information at times. It made them feel so much more included on my floor.
9. You are capable of so much more than you think.
There have been times where I've been on duty, had an assignment due the next day, as well as have an 8am the following morning. Just when I thought I could go to bed, the duty phone rings and a resident needed me. I definitely felt like a superhero being able to accomplish all of these things.
10. Don't forget to leave room open in your schedule for yourself.
This job can get very stressful at times especially around midterms and finals. I'm so happy that I remembered to take some time for myself and do something relaxing like watching a movie, going home for the weekend to visit with my family, or hang out with some friends. After all, college is stressful enough. DON'T FORGET TO SLEEP!!
