August is here, and for most of us, that means it is RA training time! If you are a returning RA, hopefully coming back to campus and continuing your role excites you. However, for many returning RAs, the thought of sitting through training for a job you have already done is gruesome. You may be wishing that you could return to your role without enduring the required training sessions. What if there were some ways you could re-envision your preconceived thoughts on RA training to maximize the experience? Potentially, you can see training as an opportunity to help others, grow and learn, and even make it an experience that you look forward to!
Many people want to become RAs so that they can help other students. Being a returning RA at training, there may be possibilities to help other students learn in ways that you may have never thought of before. If helping others is something you enjoy and strive to do, try assisting other RAs by giving them the insider’s scoop on what is it like to be an RA! There is no better time to share your favorite tips and tricks than when new RAs are learning their roles for the first time. Maybe you are really good at knowing how to write incident reports and remembering policies and protocols. Or perhaps, you may love being creative and making door decs, bulletin boards, and flyers. Possibly, community building is your greatest strength, and you are awesome at connecting with residents and planning engaging programs. As a returning RA, you should reflect on your strengths in the role, and think of ways you can help the new RAs learn their new roles. During training, helping others with the strengths you already have will help you to feel more fulfilled and have a stronger sense of purpose.
As you are reflecting on your strengths, training is also a good time to seek out extra help with some weaknesses you may have. It is ok if you need some refreshers about your job, or if you struggle in some areas of the role. Recognize that training is intentionally required for all RAs because nobody is perfect, and there is room for everyone to learn and become stronger in their roles. Before each training session ask yourself these five questions:
- What am I going to take away and learn from this session?
- During this time, how am I going to best focus and give the presenter my full attention?
- How can I apply this information to my residents and community this upcoming year?
- How did I use this skill and training last year, and is there a way I can become more proficient in this skill this year?
- Am I able to help new RAs with their questions if they need help in this area of training?
Reflecting on these questions will help you maximize your time in each training session so that you can get the most out of the experience. These questions will help you gauge your proficiency in different areas of the RA role and recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Also, giving these questions some thought may help you see in which ways you can incorporate what you have learned in the RA role into other areas of your life.
If you have already been through RA training once before, the second or third time you go through it should be seen as a professional development opportunity. Think of which skills you are being trained on, and how you could use these skills in your future. Ponder how the RA role relates to your degree or a future career you will have, how you have personally grown throughout your time working as an RA, and how you can apply the role to your passions and hobbies in life. If you are interested in even more professional development time during training, ask your Hall Director if there are ways you can seek out more leadership opportunities or help out more this upcoming year. This could look like helping prepare a training session, leading a part of a weekly meeting, having new RAs shadow you on duty rounds, or assisting with some additional community support. Think of ways that you can use RA training to make your resume stronger, speak about your skills and experiences in an interview, or practically apply things you have learned to a future endeavor. Because you have already been through training once, you shouldn’t be as overwhelmed with learning about a new position, but can rather use this time to excel and develop.
Hopefully, you are looking forward to being a returning RA and are excited to make the most out of training. You may feel like you are already a great RA, and that training is not the most valuable use of your time. However, with these tips, you can focus on helping new RAs, learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and use training as a valuable time to develop professionally. Most importantly, of course, remember to use RA training as a time to get excited for the year and pumped about the upcoming semester!
Carley Eichhorn (she/her) is currently a Hall Director at the University of Michigan. In 2021, she graduated from Central Michigan University with undergraduate experience as an RA and a tour guide. In 2022, she graduated with her master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, where she served in the Residential Life department as an Assistant Residential Community Educator and a Social Media and Communications Intern. With two degrees in Communications, Carley loves to write and chit-chat, but also has a passion for reading, hiking, playing water polo, and taking naps with her cat, Obi.
