Now a junior, I have lived in the residence halls since my first year on campus. Three years may seem like a long time to be living in the dorms — but not to me.
Living on campus is convenient. You live around so many residents who make it homey and it is also a great opportunity to socialize.
Three years can be a long time, but each year I have made memories and have met people I would have never met if I lived off-campus.
Living in the residence halls is an excellent place for students to live, but is also a spectacular way to get involved. One way of being involved is to become a Resident Assistant (RA).
My RAs in the Tower and the Living Learning Communities have been different each year.
Some have been an important part of my year, while others were lacking. I’m ready to take that next step and be the great RA residents need.
Lindsay Trombly | Argonaut
A few months ago, I decided to take classes and apply to become an RA for next school year — I want to be there for other residents. Every class taught me something new and it made me realize how important RAs are on an everyday basis.
RAs are a friendly face and they are there to talk to for support for residents who are having problems. Mostly, they keep the resident halls safe.
There are many dorms on campus including the Tower, Wallace, The Living Learning Communities and McConnell. Residents can all have different RA experiences in these various dorm options.
Most students in freshman dorms need a support system after leaving home, especially when they don’t know anyone in particular to bond with. Their goal is to create a community where residents feel safe and welcome in their home away from home.
Upperclassmen dorms are a bit different. where RAs are not needed as much by residents, but I think they are just as important. Those RAs need to continue to support residents and grow community. RAs need to make it a point to have events and options for those residents to meet each other and get involved.
Resident assistants often do much more than people assume. They assume it is all about the free housing and a free meal plan. It is not. Becoming an RA means taking responsibility toward helping residents in any way possible.
Ras create floor traditions, have monthly meetings with on-campus partners, interact with residents and survey the resident halls every night to make sure residents are safe.
More than anything, a successful RA is a strong support system for all students. RAs create the community students need.
Residence life would not be community-oriented without RAs who are in charge of these tasks. They truly make the residence halls a home.
Next year I will have a completely different experience in the residence halls.
I have met so many different people I would not normally talk to after going through classes with other residents who want to become RAs, too.
Everyone I encounter in residence life has a smile on their face, greets you in an instant and has a positive outlook on life.
This adventure will teach me a lot about myself but I’m up for the challenge.
Lindsay Trombly can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lindsay_trombly