Have you ever wondered what life as a resident assistant (RA) looks like? Are you considering becoming an RA? If so, here’s my honest take on my experience as a first-year RA and everything you need to know about the job, from the application process all the way up until meeting your residents!Â
Application Process
The first real test comes when applying for the job. Within the application window — which runs this year from Oct. 30 to Dec. 11 — you’ll need to upload a resume and provide email addresses for two professional references to fsu.erezlife.com. Additionally, anyone to be considered for the position must attend one of the following information sessions below:Â
- Monday, Oct. 30 (5:30 p.m. at Dodd Hall 103)Â
- Friday, Nov. 3 (2:30 p.m. at HCB 103)Â
- Sunday, Nov. 12 (4:30 p.m. at Bellamy 0021)Â
- Thursday, Nov. 16 (6:30 p.m. at HCB 215)Â
- Tuesday, Nov. 28 (7:30 p.m. at Shores 0006)Â
- Sunday, Dec. 3 (4 p.m. via Zoom)Â
After these three components are completed, expect an email from FSU Housing that either invites you to the next step in the process or urges you to reapply next year. For those who receive the good news and are one step closer to becoming an RA, you’ll have to show up to a three-hour-long Leadership Training. At this training, you’ll learn what’s expected of you if you get the job. You’ll meet some current RAs who’ll answer any questions you may have while mingling with other students vying for the same position.Â
At the very end of the Leadership Training, the final step of the application process — the dreaded interview — will be described in depth. The interview is a 20-minute-long discussion conducted by a head staff member and a current RA. You’ll have the opportunity to schedule it after the Leadership Training when you receive an email from Housing that has the sign-up link and sample questions of what may be asked. Show up for the interview in what you’re most comfortable in, and make sure to be a few minutes early!Â
Training
Once you receive that congratulatory email in February saying that you’ve been hired, you’ll begin learning more about training, which is easily the most exhausting part of this entire process. Training for the fall semester takes place two weeks before the start of classes. A typical day begins at 9 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. and consists of learning the ins and outs of emergency management, how to have difficult conversations with residents, and familiarizing yourself with all the different responsibilities bestowed to RAs.Â
If you ask any resident assistant what their least favorite part of training was, they will almost always respond with what is known (and kept closely under wraps) as BCDs. BCDs, or Behind Closed Doors, span two days and occur towards the end of training. You’ll be put into a group of approximately six new RAs from your complex and brought over to a residence hall by your group’s assigned guide. Upon entering the hall, you’re read a scenario from your guide, and one person from the group must volunteer to participate. The person who gets chosen is thrown into a room with returning RAs who act out a situation, while the new RA is graded on how they handle it by someone who works for Housing. You’re required to partake in at least two BCDs, but once you make it over that hurdle, it’s smooth sailing.Â
Move-In
After your long days of training, you’ll unwind by getting ready for move-in, which is my favorite part! You’ll make your way back to your dorm room where you’ll spend the rest of your night making door decs, bulletin boards, and decorations that match your floor theme for the walls. Although time-consuming, it’s so rewarding when you hear parents and residents talk about how homey the place feels when they’re unpacking.Â
On top of putting the finishing touches on decorations, you’ll be required to take a few move-in shifts. The shifts are four hours long and consist of either working at the front desk, checking out move-in bins in the parking garage, running an engagement table, or being the designated floater who oversees the entire process. While it may be tedious, this is one of the most exciting parts because it’s when you’re meeting all your residents for the very first time.Â
Pros of Being an RA
There are way too many positives of being an RA to be described in length. However, here are my top three.Â
1. The Residents
The most rewarding part of being an RA is the connections I’ve formed with my residents. For me, it was important to immediately establish that they could come to me with any of their concerns. This is especially crucial because, being a resident assistant in a freshman dorm, most of my residents are dealing with the stress of being away from home for the first time while juggling their classes and trying to find their way around campus. I love each and every one of my residents and wish nothing but the best for them!Â
2. The Staff
I feel so lucky to be a part of such an incredible staff this year. All the returning RAs from my complex have been extremely helpful with aiding the newcomers adjust to the job, while the new RAs have been great to talk with about our nerves and excitement about everything. They’ve all made training and our weekly two-hour staff meetings fun. I’m so fortunate to work so closely with each of them daily!Â
3. The Benefits
The benefits that RAs receive are great. As a resident assistant, I receive half-off housing and get my own private room and bathroom. On top of that, RAs make $9.15 an hour and get $350 worth of dining dollars a semester. The extra dining dollars are lifesavers because they fund my Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino addiction, which helps me stay awake for all the late nights I work!Â
Cons of Being an RA
While the positives outweigh the negatives, there are some aspects that make this job demanding. The following three factors are what I believe to be the hardest part of being a resident assistant.Â
1. The Challenging Situations
No one situation is like the other, making it often difficult to mitigate the problem. Even when there seems to be a simple solution, RAs must consider the other people involved and their emotions. What may be the best for me isn’t always what’s best for them.
The job is also not for the faint of heart. When you build strong relationships with people living in your complex, it’s terrible to see them at their most vulnerable.Â
2. The Stress
Nothing beats the stress I have when I’m on duty. While most nights at the front desk are laid-back, being on-call from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. will never not be stressful. It’s the worst feeling when I receive a call in the middle of the night regarding an incident that’s taking place in the building. Also, always be prepared to drop whatever you’re doing at any given moment to answer your residents’ questions or help them with their needs.Â
3. the Workload
The amount of time that I’ve put into this job far exceeds what I originally thought it would. Between making monthly bulletin boards, doing roommate and suitemate agreements, conducting wellness checks, and crafting unique events for my residents, I dedicate several hours a week to this job. While it may become overwhelming at times, it’s always the best feeling when you’re able to make a difference for your residents.Â
I cannot stress enough how life-changing this job has been for me. The experiences I’ve had and the relationships I’ve formed are truly special, and I wouldn’t change any of them for the world. If you’re on the fence about applying, my advice is to just go for it. You won’t regret it!Â
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