Creating a Sense of Belonging in Residence Life: Lessons from T. Swift

Belonging is a fundamental human need, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the residence halls. As we all know, creating a sense of belonging is crucial for student retention and success, as it impacts not only their academic performance but also their emotional and social well-being. Who better to help us explore the concept of belonging than Taylor Swift? So, shake it off, because it’s time to dive into how we can make our students feel like they belong with us forever and always. …are you ready for it?

“Welcome to New York”

When students first arrive on campus, they experience a mix of excitement and anxiety about their new environment. Just like Tay Tay said, it’s a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat. Creating a welcoming atmosphere for new students is essential. I know by the time residents get to campus, we are usually tired and ready for a break. Remember though, these first few weeks are critical to give residences the opportunity to enter the beginning of this new chapter with enthusiasm and positivity.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be at the heart of this welcoming process. Like any great love, it keeps you guessing. Like any real love, it’s ever-changing. Residence Life staff should encourage students to embrace their new environment by providing a wide range of opportunities to get engaged.

• Professional Staff: Organize welcome events that promote the diversity and excitement of campus. Be present in your halls, offer campus tours, facilitate interactive sessions where students can learn about the campus, the Residence Life staff, and each other. 
• Resident Assistants (RAs): Host floor meetings and informal gatherings like pizza nights or hang outs to help residents get to know you and each other. Create a welcoming bulletin board with the opportunity for each resident to write in facts about themselves to foster a sense of community from day one. Sometimes it can be a bit of vigilante shit. Find things your residents are already doing or are interested in, and then use that to your advantage. 

“You Belong with Me”

Promoting inclusivity and acceptance is key to ensuring everyone feels they belong. 

• Professional Staff: Plan or attend events across campus. Wear your name tag and introduce yourself to students. If extroverting isn’t your speed, write a welcome newsletter and send it to your community. Remember, it doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Small gestures will go a long way in building connections.
• RAs: Organize small informal activities, like study groups, craft nights, or dinners. Think about ways you can help residents bond over shared interests. Actively reach out to students who seem isolated and invite them to join in on events. If they consistently say no, ask if they have any interests that you could plan an activity around. 

“Shake It Off”

Supporting students through difficult times is also crucial. Providing mental health resources and creating a culture of empathy and understanding ensures that students feel supported and can “shake off” their challenges. I always like to encourage colleagues that it’s one thing to simply refer a student to the resources available to them. It’s another (and usually more effective) thing to refer students to the resources, and be able to speak to the process, options, and opportunities that resources may have. 

• Professional Staff: Provide conflict resolution training for RAs, and bring it up throughout the semester. Reinforce learning from training. Remember, it doesn’t have to be (and shouldn’t be) a one and done thing. Develop or promote workshops on stress management and resilience to help students cope with challenges.
• RAs: Mediating conflict between residents and providing support to those going through tough times is a fundamental component of being an RA. Think about how you can keep yourself comfortable in addressing tough situations. Bring it up to your supervisor if you aren’t feeling confident about your mediation skills. Organize or promote stress-relief activities, such as yoga sessions, mindfulness workshops, or outdoor walks, to help residents shake off their worries.

“All Too Well”

• Professional Staff: Offer workshops and seminars on personal development and goal setting. Provide resources for students to reflect on their growth, such as journaling workshops or vision board sessions. You can also lead by example. Rather than hosting workshops or seminars, share with your team your vision board. Do vision boards as a team during a staff meeting. The possibilities are endless.
• RAs: Host regular check-ins with residents to discuss their personal and academic progress. Celebrate milestones and achievements with small recognition celebrations or shout-outs on community boards. Get into the habit of asking residents what their win of the week has been, and also be sure to ask yourself what your win of the week has been.

“End Game”