~ Blog Posts Written By RAs for RAs ~
Adapting to university life is a challenge every incoming freshman faces. Exciting times as a new adult, with a new sense of independence can be seen as a positive, however they come with newfound responsibilities which often leave someone lonely. An RA’s job is therefore even more important. Being able to identify the tell-tale signs of homesickness and struggles with adjusting to college life is essential, from looking back on your own experiences and applying them to help others, and being a welcoming guide rather than just a stone-cold policy enforcer.
Recognizing a Resident in Need
Every college student—RA’s included, remember the feeling of being homesick and nervous about being in a new environment. Personally, I remember the particularly awful nauseating feeling of being lost as my Google Maps kept rerouting me trying to find my first classes (trust me, there was a lot of silent screaming). Therefore, keep that in mind as your new residents move in. Remember how it feels to be in their shoes, and remember what would have made your life easier—looking to be that positive influence.
Leave your door open as residents move in. Welcome them to the hall and make yourself known as more of a friendly face they can come to for help and advice.
Involving Yourself in Involving Themselves
Any upper classman will tell you that one of the most important things to do when arriving to college is to get involved. Whether it be a sports team, an arts organization, or starting a charcuterie club for instance, doing anything to meet new people is critical for relieving that feeling of homesickness and anxiety.
Keeping this in mind, provide resources such as upcoming involvement fairs to your residents. Additionally, make personal recommendations to help encourage your residents, rather than vague mass emails and posters. Additionally, when planning social events for your residents, make an effort to personally invite residents you might see to be more socially isolated to further encourage them to get involved.
Understanding the Role of Cultural Adjustment
Cultural differences can be impactful in a resident adjusting to life at school. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds might face unique challenges that contribute to homesickness or difficulty integrating into the campus community. This can be due international students facing a language barrier, different social norms making interpersonal interactions difficult, etc.
To better support and understand residents who might be facing these challenges, try to connect them with residents coming from similar situations, in addition to looking for different cultural organizations around campus.
Strategies for RAs to Assist Isolated Residents
Being an RA, you are in a unique position where you want to be supportive and present for your residents, but don’t want to dip into the territory of appearing overbearing. If you notice a resident might not be engaging as much, try to pay extra attention when speaking with them or doing a one-on-one.
For example, ask open-ended questions to allow them to share how they are feeling. This allows them to express how they feel without feeling pressured to do so. Examples include:
- “How are you feeling about adjusting to campus?”
- “What have you found challenging about college life?”
- “What do you miss most about home?”
While having these interactions, pay close attention to subtle cues like body language. If your resident appears to be standoff-ish, or uncomfortable, try to give them some extra space and remind them that you’re there for them if they ever wish to talk.
In Conclusion
Navigating college life, especially after such a drastic transition from living at home, is a challenge for any incoming freshman. As an RA, you will have a unique opportunity to make an impact on these residents and their first year at school, not only by being an active presence, but also by calling upon your own experiences and how you responded to them.
