Congrats on your new role! Of course, before you get started, you need to learn and get train for your job. Staff training is an exciting (and often exhausting) time where you’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot of new information, meet and develop relationships with your team members, and begin preparing your community for your residents’ arrival. If you’re a new staff member, here are some tips to help you make the most out of training:
1. Engage Actively in Training Sessions
- Be Present: Pay attention to the sessions, even if they cover topics you already know. There might be new perspectives or specific information related to your institution.
- Ask Questions: If something is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Your fellow staff and supervisors likely have great insights.
- Take Notes: Jot down important details about policies, procedures, and any new ideas. These notes will be handy later when you need to reference something.
2. Build Relationships Early
- Connect with Other Student Staff Members on Your Team: Training is an excellent time to bond with your fellow staff members. Get to know people from different areas and backgrounds. You’ll lean on each other throughout the year.
- Reach Out to Senior Student Staff Members: Experienced RAs and student staff members can offer invaluable advice about dealing with challenges and provide tips for handling specific situations.
3. Understand Your Role
- Clarify Expectations: Ensure you know what your responsibilities are, including community-building, managing crises, enforcing policies, and being a resource to residents.
- Know Your Boundaries: Understand what’s within your scope of responsibility and when to refer situations to professional staff, such as counselors or security.
4. Practice Skills
- Role-Playing: Training often includes role-playing exercises, and these are gold for practicing real-life situations. Pay attention to how different scenarios are handled and learn from them. Remember, you’re learning, you will make mistakes. That’s the whole point of these exercises!
5. Develop Time Management Skills
- Balance Your Workload: Being a student and a staff member is time-consuming. During training, you’ll likely learn time management techniques that will help you stay organized and avoid burnout. Practice these strategies early.
- Set Priorities: Know when your duties as a staff member need to take priority over other commitments, and when you can take a step back. Always keep your supervisor informed so they can help.
6. Develop Leadership Skills
- Be a Role Model: Your actions set the tone for your residents. During training, take note of the leadership qualities you want to develop (patience, communication, problem-solving).
- Be Proactive: Look for opportunities to take initiative during training, whether that’s volunteering for a task or helping out a fellow staff members.
7. Take Care of Yourself
- Self-Care: Don’t forget to care for your mental and physical well-being. Stress management, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep are all crucial.
- Know When to Seek Support: Training can be intense, and being a staff member can be challenging. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out for support from your supervisors or fellow RAs.
9. Stay Open to Feedback
- Request Feedback: Ask for feedback from your supervisors and peers during and after training. This will help you improve and feel more confident in your role.
- Stay Humble and Adaptable: Being an staff member and student leader is a learning process. Accept constructive criticism and be willing to adapt your approach to better serve your community.
Sometimes these tips are easier said than done. Give yourself some grace as you learn about your new role. Rely on your team and your supervisor. Be humble. Be ready to learn. Being an RA or a student staff member is an incredible opportunity and one that will likely impact you the rest of your life.
