In 2014, Taylor Swift dropped the album “1989”. I won’t forget this because it was my first year of college. I met a Swiftie in my residence hall, Brianna, and asked her if I could burn a copy of the album. From that moment, my friendship with Brianna was written in permanent ink. This year, a week before “The Life of a Showgirl” album was announced, Brianna got married and I was honored to attend the ceremony. At the reception, we were assigned to tables based on where a friendship bracelet with our name was set, along with a lyric from T. Swift: “So make the friendship bracelets, take this moment and taste it”. It was super memorable, much like your school year as a Resident Advisor is about to be. It got me thinking about how Taylor Swift teaches us about life and how that can be translated into teaching us about being a Resident Advisors.
Here is what I think Taylor Swift can teach you about being an iconic Resident Advisor:
Build Community. “Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you”. While your school may not be in the Big Apple, there are likely students joining you from all over the world in your residence hall. Each new resident moves in with hopes and fears. Just like Taylor welcomes fans into her different eras, Student Leaders create a space where everyone feels seen and included. As residents move into the halls, try to be the first smile, make introductions, and be the bridge between others. Host events that bring people together. For incoming first years, it’s a new soundtrack, help them dance to the beat and get connected across campus.
Adapt. “Because these things will change”-Change
In 2006, Taylor Swift was a cowboy boot wearing country artist who sang about teardrops on her guitar. While today she still plays guitar, Taylor Swift performs across multiple genres and cowboy boots are nowhere to be seen.
As a Student Leader, you have to adapt.You will change and grow as the year goes, as will your residents! Be willing to be flexible in how you lead.
Keep the ringer on high!“You’re on the phone with your…” record scratch…resident who got locked out of their room.
OK, so maybe she didn’t teach us to answer the duty phone, but that is a key part of the RA job. (Though she did show us it’s cool to accept a ring…unfortunately yours won’t be an elongated cushion cut and will likely require you to get out of bed.) It’s not all glamorous group events. Sometimes it’s answering a call at 2:00 AM or helping someone who just needs to talk. Your residents will count on you, and part of the role is being dependable even in the small, sometimes inconvenient, moments.
You don’t need to know everything. Taylor Swift shared on a podcast that she doesn’t know much about football, even though one of the people she cares most about, her fiance Travis Kelce, is a football player. That’s okay. She demonstrates a willingness to learn and finds other ways to connect with him too. She still shows up as one of his biggest supporters, despite not necessarily understanding every bit of what is going on. That’s something you get to do as a Student Leader too. You don’t need to know every detail of what your residents are going through to be there for them. You can be a great student leader without having the same passion areas as them.
Not everyone needs to like you. Not everyone likes Taylor Swift, and not everyone is going to like you either. It can be tough to accept that. Just “shake it off”.
Work hard. Behind every sold-out show, surprise album drop, or record-breaking moment is a whole lot of hustle. Taylor Swift didn’t become an icon overnight. Being a great student leader doesn’t happen in an instant either. It takes effort, late nights, problem-solving, vulnerability, and heart. When you look back on your “era” as a Student Leader, you’ll realize how much you’ve impacted others.
Remember that you get to be a part of the residents’ story During move-in this year, the day Taylor Swift got engaged, my Resident Advisor staff broke the news to me regarding the engagement. I immediately messaged my friend Brianna and shared the news that Ms. Swift was a soon to be Mrs…just like Brianna recently became. She immediately posted on instagram saying “it’s only right that the girl I let burn a copy of 1989 in my freshman dorm was the one to notify me”. Keep in mind that some of the friendships developing in your hall this year will last for the rest of their lifetime and that you get to be a part of that story! From Fearless to Folklore, Taylor has taught us that embracing change, showing up for others, and staying true to yourself is the ultimate key to success. Put on your sparkly boots, cue the soundtrack, step confidently into your Resident Advisor Era, and enjoy the life of a student leader.
