Dear freshman year RA,

You were my first experience with a RA. You had the power to make or break my first dorm life experience, and I want to thank you for making it awesome. When I transitioned to sophomore year, I found my RA lacking all the cool stuff you used to do. So, freshman year RA, here’s a thank you letter for all those things.

Thank you for actually caring. I never noticed how much you were involved in my life and followed up on me, until you were gone. You were actually around on the floor, and involved in my life. You helped me make a lot of important decisions, and your advice was always appreciated.

Thank you for making my living environment enjoyable. Sophomore year is definitely different than freshman year was. The environment on our floor is very much controlled by the RA running it. You excelled in that area. Your door was always open, and you were always inviting. Even when you were being treated unfairly by residents on our floor, you always kept that signature smile and happy attitude. You always made sure the floor was decorated, and we always got the best and most creative door decs.

Thank you for occasionally turning the other cheek. Like that one time I accidentally left something out on my desk. Seriously, thanks.

Thank you for all those special moments. I never thought of you as my RA, but more as my friend. I’ll always remember that time you showed up at my door holding a portable hammock, and insisted we put it up in my room. Five minutes later, you had it hung up across my room, by the towel rod in the closet, and we were testing it out. Or, the time you called me in your room to make sure your string lights were perfectly placed on the wall. Multiple times. Thank you for all those little silly things that I never appreciated.

But, most of all, thank you for being you. There is no better RA out there. I am glad to be able to call you a friend, and am so glad I got lucky enough to be placed on your floor. You’re such a sweet person, and I know you’ve impacted the lives of other students before me in a positive way.

I’ll never be able to repay you for making my living experience so easy for me. I was extremely homesick freshman year, and I had a hard time working through that. You never knew that, yet you helped me through it, just by being you. You’re an inspiration to those around you, and you’re loved by so many people. Thank you for making a difference in my freshman year.

Love,

Your old resident.