What a Year...
How do I even put this position into words? This was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I have had. Being a resident assistant for first-year undergraduate students can be quite demanding, but the relationships and enjoyment you get out of it is well worth the long hours and lack of sleep you put in. As a RA, I found myself in bizarre, difficult, stressful, critical, and sometimes comical situations; all of them completely unexpected and out of the blue. I figured out how to think on my toes, be confident in myself and my decisions, and not to stress about things I can't control. I learned not only how important simply being available for someone is, but also how important it is to take time for yourself, time to make sure that you can be mentally and emotionally available for others. I was able to be a part of an incredible support system with my staff members and my hall too. I got to be there to help my residents when they needed me, and they were unknowingly there for me. I got to be the interior designer to create fun new door decorations every month and hallway decorations and the grandma to remind people of regulations at times (obviously not the fun part). Most rewarding of all, though, I got to watch my residents become friends throughout the year, I got to see the impact they had on the campus as they grew, and I got to be there go-to-person when they didn't know who else to talk to or didn't feel comfortable talking to anyone else. Being a RA isn't just about being a RA. It's knowing when to step back and knowing when to step in. It's being someone's support when they need it and being supported by others. It's creating a fun, welcoming environment and a safe one. It's unlike anything else, and I wouldn't change it for the world.