As I start my first official week as an RA, I just had a couple of things on my mind. I realize after going through training that the role of an RA is not always going to be easy. You'll want to bond with your residents, but they may not want to bond with you. Or you'll get along great with them and then have to make some tough calls.

It's kinda nerve-wracking being a first year RA. You want to do everything right and everything perfectly, but it is not always going to be that way. Especially during move in. The introductions are kind of awkward because you're not used to just introducing yourself to strangers, and you want the conversation to go well. But you find that not all residents are receptive to the RA. And that's okay. It's just a little extra awkward on your part. But you just regroup and move on to the next door.

There's also the not knowing. Will my floor get along? Will they show up for events? Will they be talkative or not say anything at all? Will they like the floor themes or absolutely hate it? You kinda wonder everything, and you won't know until it's the end of the semester and by then you're considered an experienced RA. But will you actually feel experienced?

I did not realize all of the hard work my RAs had to do in order to keep their jobs. Looking back, I really have to respect them for the effort they put in. Personally, I didn't go to floor events or get involved in the residence halls my first two years of college. I can only hope my residents are the opposite of me. Because now I see the work that goes into those events and what the involvement can really do for a person.

Regardless of how my year goes, I just hope that my residents have their best one—that they enjoy living on my floor, make good friends, and like on-campus living like I did. Oh, and of course love Penn State.