Why I Am A Resident Assistant | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why I Am A Resident Assistant

It doesn't feel like a job when you love the people you work with.

69
Why I Am A Resident Assistant
Miranda Brown

Everyone knows who these people are. If you ever lived on a college campus then chances are you had a Resident Assistant or Resident Advisor. Maybe you have even wanted to be a Resident Assistant. I have been an RA for a year now and am beginning my second year on staff. Here are just a few reasons why I enjoy serving as an RA.

1. You are friends with EVERYONE.

You have your friends that you met your freshman year. You then have all your RA friends who you feel like you only see during RA meetings. You also have all the friends who live in your dorm. Some of them might sit with you in the common area when you are on duty. Some of your dorm friends might leave candy outside your door. Some might just pass by you on your way to class and they might tell you that you are rad. Then you have the residents in your dorm who only want to be your friend when they are locked out of their room. It is OK because you love them anyways.

2. You are allowed to drink large quantities of coffee and no one judges you for it.

In general, college students drink major amounts of coffee or any other product that is loaded with caffeine. If you are a Resident Assistant, it becomes even more acceptable by society that you always have a coffee cup in your hand. Let's be honest for a second. Most RAs complain because we have to stay up for designated on-duty times, but even when we are not on duty, we still stay up late and use being a Resident Assistant as the excuse for why we always have coffee in our hands.

3. You help build community in your residence halls.

As an RA, it is your job to set the mood for what you want the year to look like for your residents. If you want them to be involved in things that go on campus, you encourage them to participate while leading by example and participating yourself. You also should encourage your residents to pursue healthy study habits. You also want to be available to your residents and let them know that you can help them with whatever they need.

4. You have some of the best stories to tell so long as you do not break your confidentiality agreement.

Everyone meet Amber. During our first week of class, I fell down and skinned my knee and leg pretty badly. Two days later, she showed up at my door having done the same exact thing. Who would have guessed she would have followed in my footsteps in real life?

5. You make a "framily."

Framily: friends who are like family. That is what being a Resident Assistant has given me. I am constantly surrounded be people who support me and people who I pour into. I can't imagine what my college experience would be like had I not been a Resident Assistant.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

84
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1665
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3014
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments