Have you ever heard of the phrase: You get out of an experience what you put into it? The point of the saying is to acknowledge that if you want a certain experience, you have to put in effort. For some, joining the RA role is to help with covering expenses, others join to gain... Continue Reading →
As an RA, Who Am I Working For?
When was the last time you bought something before doing some research on that item? I’m talking about buying a shirt at Target without looking at the price tag before going to the check out lane. Another example can be applying to college: Did you research which university you wanted to attend by looking at... Continue Reading →
As An RA, Why is Customer Service Important?
I think we can all identify times in which we have experienced mediocre customer service. A specific time that sticks out in my mind occurred about ten years ago…isn’t that crazy– that I can still remember this poor experience? I was craving a chocolate shake, I went to a local ice cream shop, and as... Continue Reading →
As An RA, How Do I Set Boundaries?
During my first day as an RA, I had a floor meeting with my residents. I introduced myself, did an ice breaker, shared some resources, and shared policy expectations. I can vividly recall telling my residents, “I am here to support you, so never feel bad if you need to reach out for questions or... Continue Reading →
As An RA, How Do I Conquer Time Management?
Talking about time management can immediately be stress-inducing as a student. You have so much going on in between being a student, a student leader, and experiencing your own personal growth that when your supervisor, professor, guardian, friend, or mentor looks at you and says “are you managing your time properly?”... Sometimes it’s hard not... Continue Reading →
As an RA, What is My Mission Statement?
When you were little, do you remember learning how to ride a bike for the first time? You probably had to start with training wheels, graduate to an adult holding onto the back of your bike, then finally you reached a point where you were able to pedal on your own. Total freedom...until the first... Continue Reading →
As an RA, How Can I Develop My Leadership Skills?
As a student staff member you are stepping into a role that allows you to wear many hats. A frequent saying you may hear is the Golden Rule in the realm of Residence Life: You are a student first, then a student staff member second. This means that you should focus on your academic priorities... Continue Reading →
As An RA, Who Is My Supervisor? Why Do We Have 1:1s?
It’s about that time that you engage in your first one-on-one (1:1) with your supervisor! Maybe you are a few 1:1s in, but nonetheless, a 1:1 meeting is likely to be relatively new to you. 1:1s are also an excellent way to get to know your supervisor and begin building a relationship. If you're unsure... Continue Reading →
As an RA, Why am I Taking on This Role?
Getting back on campus can be a busy time! You have to move into your new space, meet your new team, engage in training, and prepare for your next semester of classes. On top of all of that, you are expected to help build a community with a whole new set of residents. Before all... Continue Reading →
As an RA, What’s So Important about Bulletin Boards and Door Decs?
Let’s talk about move-in day. Imagine moving across the country and arriving at your campus as a new student. You may be nervous. You may not know anyone. You may be anxious about what the year brings, or you may wonder what this new community you're entering into may be like. Will they be accepting?... Continue Reading →
As An RA, Why Is Development Important?
In August of 2020, I sat down in my first master’s class where I was completely SHOCKED to learn that a bunch of scholars kind of knew exactly what I went through as a college student. One scholar spoke to how transitions were hard and challenging, which is why college students need support. College is... Continue Reading →