Today I just held what is probably going to be the last floor meeting with my residents. The messages I had were simple and regarding moving out and exam time. But that is not the message I got from them.
My group of residents this year was supposed to be about 30 first year girls. That grew by about another 30 guys when I realized my floor partner - as decent as he was - never let his guys know about ANYTHING on campus. Informing these guys landed on my shoulders. During this last meeting with everyone gathered in my lounge one particular resident snapped a photo of me speaking. This is when I realized just how much I was actually going to miss them.
In the position of being an RA you have your buttons pushed and your stress levels maxed out. On top of worrying about the well being of a group of first year students, you have typically a full course load, you need to make sure your building isn't burnt to the ground, and your own relationships to maintain not to mention taking care of yourself. There are some days where you hate your students (well usually just a certain few) and there are others where you just can't wait to see them and hear about what they are up to.
Sometimes when you see one of them having a bad day all you need to do is smile, give them a hug and leave them a secret card with words of encouragement. But the best is when you are having a bad day and even if only one of them notices you get the most adorable notes and warm smiles.
All this made me realize what I really want to pursue in life. What I want to do when I leave my itty bitty box. I want to move into an itty bitty apartment somewhere in the depths of a residence building on any Canadian campus. The residence life field is something that just pulls you in and won't spit you out until it sees fit....if ever. But I am totally okay with that. I think the amount of decorations and ideas and coping mechanisms I have stocked up on over the past two years will see me through a few more.
The relationships built in a residence community are ones that will hopefully last a while and provide memories that will last even longer. It is hard to imagine that leaving my current community will mean the end of making memories here. It only excites me to find a new community. That is the magic of residence and working in residence life, you are working in a community where you are able to build relationships and grow with your co-workers. What friendships have you made at your place of employment? I am sure there are many valuable relationships built in other workplaces but there are few built in a place where you live, eat, sleep and work with your co-workers and countless residents seeking guidance. This is what I now challenge you, take that step to build a community amongst your co-workers. Set up a theme party or staff barbecue, or if you can bake cookies for everyone (food works like a charm). If you don't want to do that, leave some nice secret notes for everyone; make an effort to make everyone smile, included the few you are not necessarily best buds with. Trust me, smiles around you make everything better.
Lessons Learned
- Don't knock res life until you really know what its like
- Make the effort to reach out to others
- Don't forget to smile!!!
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