Disclaimer: this was written on August 9, 2016. Sami, Savannah, Michaela, Nick, Sam, and Jake: thank you for making my second year as an RA filled with off-track conversations, tea dates, and painted rocks.

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When I accepted the Resident Assistant position my first year of college, I was nervous about the impact it would have on my college experience. I often heard others speak poorly of RA’s because they acted “too much like mom or dad” or they “were too strict all the time.” Hearing negative comments about the position made me worried that becoming a RA would cause a divide between my fellow classmates and myself.

Little did I know, the divide between my fellow classmates and myself would become the least of my worries when the school year began. When I arrived at college for my sophomore year and training started, I quickly learned that those who would cause that divide no longer needed to be apart of my world. Those who were not willing to support me in my position, my community, and my passion would be replaced. Joining Residence Life introduced me to people who were supportive, believed in the same core values, and shared a similar passion.

All the time I spent worrying about my current friendships made me overlook the possibility of new friendships. Therefore, when I arrived for my first day of training, I was shocked when I realized how many students were involved in Residence Life. The summer before my sophomore year, I overlooked the thirty-one peers that I would be working with. But when training began, I realized I had to take advantage of the opportunity for new friendships to be developed.

Most buildings on campus have four or six RA’s, one for each floor and wing of the building. The building I was in my sophomore year had six RA’s. In the beginning, I was not very close with any of my fellow co-workers. We slowly but surely became friends throughout training as we ate meals together, developed inside jokes, and bonded during building projects.

As the year continued, the Russell staff became closer and closer. We often hung out with each other as we were on duty, did rounds with one another, and ate meals together in the cafeteria. It was always comforting to see my co-workers on campus as we would say hello to each other, quote 22 Jump Street, and talk about who was kicked off the island that day.

The RA’s in Russell became more than just a staff my sophomore year of college, they became my family. We supported each other, while also expressing our critical opinions in times of need. We laughed with each other, while also laughing at each other in times of happiness. We crafted together, while also unwinding from our busy days. It was always nice to know there were five people within the building, on campus, and in life that would always support me.

The Russell 2015-2016 staff will always hold a special place in my heart. They were my first Residence Life staff. They were the first co-workers I felt comfortable enough to call my family. They are the people I have friendships with that will last a lifetime.

As I move in for my second year of Residence Life and training this week, I look forward to the opportunities to develop new friendships. I am not very close with any of my fellow co-workers for the 2016-2017 Russell Staff, but I hope this staff has the same opportunity as last years. Hopefully the Russell RA staff creates the same results this year as last, having a staff that is more than a staff. A Residence Life staff that is my family.