What houseplant are you? Identify your plant self and find some care tips to help you thrive in your Student Leader role.
Snake Plant
This student leader needs no extra attention from their supervisor. They will get their work done. Their one on ones are quick because they don’t have questions and they don’t like to chit chat. While they are reliable, their growth through the year is minimal.
Care Tips If you’re this plant, challenge yourself to ask your supervisor for where you could excel. Because you’re doing your job well, they may not be giving you advice right away. Also take time to think about what you enjoy in the job and where you would be willing to spend more effort. Take your supervisor’s advice and your own reflection to watch yourself really start to grow.
Spider plant
This student leader thrives as long as their supervisor is willing to engage them in conversation. They just love to chat. They’re always at the office looking to share a new story. Through the year, you’ll notice them grow stupendously. They also will encourage other students to apply to be student leaders for the next year.
Care Tip You love your job and are always encouraging others to apply for the role! Take this energy and funnel it into something even more meaningful. Actually sit down with people who you think can go into student leadership and explain to them why you see this potential. This extra step will encourage more people to believe in themselves. Watch your community grow around you from your efforts!
Cactus
You wouldn’t expect this person to be a student leader when you first meet them because they aren’t the bubbliest or even the nicest. But once you get to know them, you see they are steady, reliable, and are always ready to defend what’s important.
Care Tip Work on being approachable. You are an amazing and caring person, help others see this right away. Have open dorm hours for residents to come get to know you, greet your residents everywhere, and be willing to bring some vulnerability into your role. Your relationships with residents will start to flourish.
Monstera
Monstera is the student leader who is also an athlete. How do they balance it all so well? The key for them is their strong support, without it, they end up a little all over the place.
Care Tip Because you lean heavily on your support, you need to make sure your support stays strong. Pour into the people around you who are pouring into you. Be willing to accept support from those who are offering it (like your supervisor) and keep looking for people to support you in areas you need the extra help.
Aloe Plant
Aloe is a student leader either studying nursing or pre-med. Everyone on the staff treats them like a medical professional, especially when there’s some sort of crisis.
Care Tip Know your boundaries. Do not guess at medical things. It’s okay to offer your knowledge for small things, but know when you need to get a professional to assess a situation. Setting boundaries will protect you and your residents.
Airplant
This is the student leader who brings in unique perspectives and creative ideas. However, their head is always in the clouds, so they need constant reminders from their supervisor and teammates about what is going on.
Care Tip Be willing to share your ideas with your team. Lean on your teammates to help you flesh out your ideas. You also need to write things down. Even if you think you will remember something, you won’t.
Orchids
They make the best bulletin boards, flyers, and anything that takes an artistic flair. They’re kind enough to help others when they’re at their best. However, when they aren’t in their groove, they aren’t getting any of their things done.
Care Tip You fluctuate from really productive to overwhelmed and unable to get stuff done. During your productive times, work ahead. Plan out your next bulletin board, think up ideas for your next event, get your door decorations ready. If things get overwhelming and busy later, you’ll have made your life a lot easier.
Philodendron Spiritus Sancti
All the Residence Directors and supervisors want this student on their team – they are one of a kind. However, once the year actually begins they are the leader that needs the most attention. They constantly slack, rely on their teammates for help, and just generally don’t get things done.
Care Tip If you are this plant, you know you’re special already and offer a lot as a person. However, if you are falling behind, talk to your supervisor about setting up an improvement plan for yourself. Let your teammates know you’re trying to improve in the job and ask them to hold you accountable. Everyone will appreciate your vulnerability and willingness to try to grow.
Calatheas
They bring the drama. Their personality is LOUD. This student leader will be out front leading activities and bringing the energy. However, they also are the one to start the rumors and the gossip that circles the team.
Care Tip Bring the energy to the team! Use your leadership skills to promote positivity. Before you say something, think about what your motive is and if it could hurt someone. If you feel like you need to gossip, go talk to people outside of your university who won’t know the people anyway.
Pothos
This student leader goes with the flow. They aren’t leading the group, but they are reliable and ready to support their teammates. They are also the best listener. Everyone loves having a Pothos on their team because they know they’ll be there and they’ll be supportive.
Care Tip If you’re a Pothos, challenge yourself to be a leader to your team. Be willing to give advice to your teammates. You also need to remember that you don’t always have to be a listener. When people come asking to talk to you, check in with yourself first to see if you’re in a spot to listen. If you feel that you don’t have the capacity to listen to something hard, don’t be afraid to let your teammates know that. It’s okay to ask to talk later. Being honest will help you be an even better listener in the moments where they really need a friend.
