When I first heard that I got a Resident Assistant position at UGA, I was so excited. I had wanted this position for a really long time, and I felt like it was where I was being called to grow, use my strengths, and have a positive impact in the lives of others. Little did I know how the rest of the year would unfold and how my new position would be different than previous years.

Being a Resident Assistant in a freshman dorm in the midst of a global pandemic and these current events has been challenging to say the least, but I have learned and grown so much through my experience so far.

RAs and the professional staff working in Housing do a lot behind the scenes that most people are not aware of. From ensuring the safety of residents and documenting incidents to planning programs and building community, there is a lot of work involved.

One of the main challenges I have faced in my position so far is enforcing COVID policies. Living in a residence hall means abiding by the policies set to protect everyone. RAs are often seen as the "bad guys" in this situation. Even though it is a part of my job to enforce these policies and document policy violations, I truly care about the safety and well-being of my residents. I want them to have an experience on campus with others. I wish to as well. That is why following policy is so important. We are all in this together.

New pandemic policies lead to new ways of doing things. The RA community is constantly looking for ways to support residents and provide them with fun and safe activities both virtually and in-person. We think outside the box, consider all sides, and brainstorm ways to reach out. Even though things are not the same this year, we try our best to create a good experience for residents.

Although there are a lot of things that are different or more challenging than I expected, there are also some things that are even better than I ever expected. One of those things is my relationship with my fellow RAs. Everyone on my team is truly the best, and I have honestly never met a more hardworking, kind, fun, and supportive group of people and friends. I've learned so much from them and I'm excited to make more memories.

I still have a lot to learn and accomplish, but so far my experience as an RA has been a good one. I'm so glad I accepted this position, even in these strange circumstances. I'm so blessed to have such an encouraging community. My hope for this semester is that students can think of others, be careful when making decisions, and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

-M