Life as a Resident Assistant

Applying for an RA position (aka, resident assistant position) was one of the best choices I made in college. I had no clue what the job was about at first, but so many people around me kept telling me I should consider applying because they thought I would be good at it, so I decided to take a shot. Soon after I started working, I grew to love it and understand the importance of this job. 

An RA's life is not easy, but it for sure is gratifying for those who take it seriously. The schedule and functions of an RA can vary a little from dorm to dorm, so I am going to try to be as simple as possible while giving some insight into what our daily lives look like.

On a typical week during the semester, RAs will have to work one night shift from 7 pm-12 am where they have to check in and check out people for Open House (which allows visitors of the opposite sex into the dorms), walk halls a few times to make sure everything is ok in the building, and help with whatever else is necessary during that time. During the week, RAs have on-call times with the RA on-call cell phone during the day. There is at least one RA on call 24/7 for every dorm at Cumberlands. Other than night shifts, RAs are required to work a certain number of weekends per semester, and the quantity varies in each dorm depending on the size of the staff. Additionally, we conduct the check-in and check-out process at the beginning and end of each term, when students are moving into or moving out of their dorms. Sometimes people switch dorms other times too, so, as an RA, you do that whenever it’s needed.

Along those lines, flexibility is key as an RA. Expected the unexpected. Some shifts are pretty quiet, but others aren’t. If you manage your time well, you can balance homework with your RA duties, but just remember that every shift is different.

Each RA is assigned a section of the floor they live on called a zone, and a big part of an RA's job is to connect with residents consistently, especially the ones who live in their zone. “Connecting” could be meeting to talk with them, going out to eat, doing fun activities, promoting zone events to help build community, remembering to wave hello to them on campus, and so forth. A good part of this is that it allows you to know them better and create friendships with them, which helps you better meet their needs since you know them personally. Also, each dorm’s staff has a meeting once a week to go through the meeting minutes, receive new information, and plan events for the dorm. Dorm events should happen at least once a month. They take some work to put together as an RA, but they’re lots of fun!

As I mentioned earlier, an RA job is not easy. We deal with things we never thought we would have to deal with. But being an RA has allowed me to learn so much and to grow as a person. I also met many people and made new friends, which may never have happened without this job. And the memories I’ve made and experiences I’ve had will stay with me forever.