Being a Resident Assistant (or Advisor) isn’t all fun in games. While training does consist of enough of those, but when the going gets tough and there are suddenly a million things going on, some RA’s do it better. It doesn’t mean they’re better RA’s, but more like, some of us have more experience.
I was once in the position as a new RA, and this year I train in a new RA, my co. Most RA's at UWS are new this year; people come and people go. My new co this year, after I had a second year RA as my co last year, is nice and good at his job. Sometimes he’s a bit hesitant, and I understand because I used to be hesitant as well.
You’ll find some second year and third year RA's hesitant, and it’s not that they’re scared. Sometimes it is not knowing how to handle a situation or sometimes it’s a personality. My blunt, strong, overbearing and usually sarcastic personality allows me to go into situations that are tough. It doesn’t mean that people who don’t have my personality won’t be good at the job. There are certainly things in this job that I don’t do well with.
Last year as a first year RA, I had a second year RA show me my way as my co. We were on the same floor, and if there was a situation, we would both deal with it. If there was weed, I let the other person know because it’s always good to have backup. Also, I was nervous and scared, and on my second duty night, I had an incident. I got a different second year RA to help me.
When we did the mandatory meeting, I did go down the hallway, loudly knock on all the doors and scream, “Mandatory meeting!”
My co gently knocked on doors and said, “Mandatory meeting!”
“Louder,” I yelled down the hallway. “Mandatory meeting!”
Now knocking is only one of the aspects of the job, and it’s one that you only use so often. But aspects like learning everyone’s name or dealing with situations comes with time and practice.
Learning everyone’s names is usually something you’re good at in your normal life. Most times I can remember someone’s name and face after one time seeing them, or I learn their name and face-- and I’ve never talked to them. For an extrovert like me, it’s even easier because I am around, and people have no choice but to come talk to me. I will go up to people and say, “Hi, I’m your RA. What’s your name?”
As for situations, it honestly depends on the RA. I know a certain RA who is in her second year and has never done an incident report. I don’t think she’s ever really had an incident either. Last year, on average, I had at least one incident report per week. (This year, thankfully not.) I got really good at dealing with situations, and some of these situations you aren’t even trained for.
So when we have a weed problem, I know what I am doing, and it’s okay to the first-year RAs that don’t. You’ll learn quickly. You know the policies, but now it is time to act with them. And if you still don’t know what you’re doing, you should ask and get help if a problem arises. No one wants to look a fool, and if you didn’t ask for help and you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re the fool.
There, hopefully, won’t be a lot of incidents. There will be telling people to quiet down or helping roommate problems, but don’t wait for the incidents. They will come to you, and when they do, don’t run from them. Use your gut.
Another thing, first year RA: Remember you are being watched constantly. If you’ve been hired, it’s because people think you’ll do great at your job. You are already seen as a leader. But you are also watched. It doesn’t mean changing your personality, because people will see through that very quickly. Also, if you’re an RA, it’s probably because people like you.
I know this isn’t very specific and I know I doesn’t really you in the future, but I want you to know, you’re not alone and you shouldn’t already know everything. You should know the policies, but if you have questions, ask. It’s really about being confident in your job, because then it becomes much easier.
