This year was my first and last year being a Resident Assistant (RA) at Washington College. I absolutely love my residents, but some people just don't understand the struggle. Most people think that the rules are flexible, and that "it's just once, just for little old me!" and that it couldn't hurt to make an exception for one person. What they don't realize is that they're the sixth or seventh person to ask you for an exception. At a certain point, it's just exhausting, am I right? RAs work extremely hard, and are not recognized enough for all that they do. So here are 24 things only RAs would understand.
1. Training week is the longest week of your life
Waking up early and getting to bed late and having to be happy about it? No thank you.
2. Wading through the crowd on move in day
Between the parents, the students, and the other RAs running around like crazy, it's a hell of a day.
3. Nothing is worse than dealing with parents
I know it's hard to let go of your child, but for goodness' sake, I can't get them a better air conditioner.
4. Your first hall meeting, which all the scared freshmen go to
Lay down that law.
5. That one upperclassmen resident who you never see
6. Trying to balance your homework and extracurriculars with Res Life is like juggling bowling balls
7. Comforting a crying resident
Sometimes all you can do is wait it out.
8. Roommate. Conflicts.
Someone always has too many guests, someone always goes to bed too late, and someone always steals someone's food.
9. When you're stuck with rounds on a holiday that includes heavy drinking
To those who were stuck with St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de Mayo: I am so sorry. You must have encountered so many intoxicated people.
10. Having to literally explain to people that you're not available to them 24/7
No, you can't call me at 2am unless you are bleeding profusely. I don't want to hear about your boy problems when I'm trying to sleep.
11. Planning fun programs...
12. ...and having three people show up.
13. When someone wakes you up at 8am on a weekend for a lockout
BRING. YO. KEY.
14. Someone yelling across campus "That's my RA!" and you feel like a celebrity
15. "So what does an RA actually do?"
Lockouts, therapy sessions, fashion advice, campus tours,
16. You're best friends with the housekeeper...
17. ...and the maintenance guy
18. American Horror Story: Finals Week
You have to deal with finals, checking people out, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.
19. Moving out and your hallway looks like an episode of Hoarders
Do people not understand the concept of taking their trash to the dumpster?!
20. Saying goodbye to your residents is either like this...
21. ...or like this
Some of them you love, but some of them you're not going to miss.
