Being a resident assistant has defied most of my expectations about the role. I have many positive reflections and some negative insights that are worth going over. If you are a resident assistant or are considering becoming one at FSU, this is for you.
Training
Going into training in August, I wish someone would have told me what it was going to be like. I can honestly say it is the worst part of the job. The training for fall is two weeks long. Most of it consists of lectures, which is why it is so frustrating. There is one day when they do real scenarios (called “Behind Closed Doors”), which is the extent of real training. The rest of the two weeks incorporate self-care tips and housing moral philosophy.
Getting through training with a smile on your face is the hardest part about the job. The days were long, but they feed you! After days of having lectures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., we would have more meetings in our individual communities. Most nights, I was not done until 9 p.m. I did not expect this, especially because the agenda said we would be released at 5 p.m. Nonetheless, that time should be taken as an opportunity to get to know your staff. They will be in your life more than you realize and being friends with them makes the job so much better!
Residents
After training, residents start to move in. It is a lot of work for us, but it is an exciting time. All of my residents were not freshmen, so they did not have bright eyes and bushy tails for college and dorm life. They all mostly kept to themselves, which in hindsight, made my job easier. I will say, I was disappointed to not have freshman residents looking for a friend to guide them through a huge transitional period, but I digress.
tasks
There are many administrative tasks required of RAs. A weekly report is due every Monday, as well as monthly community connections, bulletin boards, events, take-to events, weekly staff meetings, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with a supervisor, and duty shifts. Depending on one’s schedule, it can become a lot to take on. There are different types of RAs in that some work more than others. Some go above and beyond, and some do the bare minimum. The experience is what you make out of it. For example, I only ever had to write one incident report for the entire year. Maybe I got lucky, but there are some RAs that look for trouble, which only gives them more work to do. To each their own.
As I have explained, the RA experience was not what I was expecting. However, looking at how much work is required and how much is compensated, it is my humble opinion that the job is totally worth it. I think it depends on your situation. It was a good gig for my financial situation, being that I will have a job no matter what, this job was the most convenient. You get your own room on campus at an amazing price, you get a staff that will most likely become some of your best friends, and you get paid. Although I have many qualms, I have to say, I think being an RA is such a great experience. The pros outweigh the cons, so long as you are okay with living in a dorm!
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