Brightly colored posters are folded neatly on the floor as my RA sits cross-legged before me.
“Sorry, my yoga class ran a little late,” she says.
I was just amazed she dragged herself out of bed on a dreary Saturday morning to exercise and was grateful she fit me into her packed schedule. Meet Tian Yang, RA extrordinaire. She keeps the universe of the 13th floor of the West Tower from spinning off its axis and does so with an infectiously positive attitude. Tian is the peacemaker, the general and the mother hen. A sophomore environmental science major, she is an international student from China experiencing her first year as a residant assistant. She can often be spotted fluttering around during obscenely late hours stapling posters to the bulletin board or writing memos on the bathroom mirror. Tian is adorable, but don’t underestimate her petite size because she has a steel resolve. If you don’t sign up for that bucket list or complete that first year survey, she will hunt you down. But it all comes from a place of genuine love and friendship. For more insight on the fearless leader of the 13th floor, read on!
HC Ithaca: Why did you want to become an RA?
Tian Yang: My RA helped me a lot my freshman year. She had a very positive impact and I was inspired to help incoming freshmen have a great experience like I did. I also enjoy helping people and making connections, and being an RA opens a lot of doors”
HC Ithaca: What is your favorite/least favorite part of being an RA?
TY: Making connections is my favorite part, and my least favorite is when I’m busy with schoolwork and have to be on duty or do my bulletin boards (side note – I really do like crafting!). You just have to learn how to balance everything and plan ahead so you’re not totally stressed out.
HC Ithaca: What are your favorite memories so far?
TY: Our floor won the 100% participation for the feedback survey, so we get a pizza party, which is awesome. When residents make positive comments on the bulletin boards and I hear during one-on-ones that people are getting along with their roommates, that stuff makes me really happy.
HC Ithaca: What’s the most challenging aspect of being an RA?
TY: I’m not an extrovert, so public speaking can be really difficult. I was very nervous during my first floor meeting, but fortunately I am overcoming that insecurity and am more comfortable chatting and facilitating conversations.
HC Ithaca: What’s the most rewarding aspect?
TY: I feel like I’m more efficient and much better at multitasking. In one night, I did an essay, my math homework, two bulletin boards, I was on duty, plus I was doing one-on-ones! I am definitely getting better at managing my time!
HC Ithaca: Do you think you’re becoming more of an extrovert now that you are an RA?
TY: I think so! I look up to RAs who are better at expressing themselves and watch how they initiate things and react to certain situations. It really helps. My role model RA is definitely Chelsea Kaye.
HC Ithaca: What does it really take to become an RA?
TY: You have to be able to manage your job and academics, and most importantly, be mentally prepared. A lot of resident assistants warned me how difficult it is to do everything, so you have to set priorities and accept that you can’t do it all, no matter how much you want to!
HC Ithaca: Is it difficult walking this social tightrope when girls are drunk in the bathroom or being disruptive during quiet hours and you have to be the one to tell them to settle down?
TY: I think it’s better if I make it clear to my residents that I really value our relationships, but I’m also here to help you make good choices. The other RAs and I don’t judge you. One bad decision will not end our relationship. But, our job is to make you safe and learn from your mistakes, and I definitely hope I don’t have to report anyone this year!
HC Ithaca: You’re supposed to be a role model, yet you’re only one year older than us. Why do you think girls take you seriously?
TY: I think people are respectful because our job is to benefit the residents, not just to write them up or give them trouble. We’re important resources and I think if residents want help, they know the first thing is to respect the RA. The girls on this floor are very friendly and open themselves up to me. They tell me what they’re happy or unhappy about, and I try to help. There’s a lot of communication, which is awesome. Also, the girls help me out and are engaged in the community. Just yesterday we created committees to administer activities on the floor, so that was exciting.
HC Ithaca: Are there days when you just want to throw your hands in the air and say, “screw it?!” What keeps you motivated?
TY: Oh, it definitely happens. Late at night, I will ask myself, what did I get myself into? But I look at other RAs like Chelsea Kaye who are way more involved and I figure, if they can balance their lives really well, so can I.
HC Ithaca: Do you think some people become RAs just to beef up their resume?
TY: A lot of people do it because there are some great financial perks, including a free room. But there are plenty of students who do it for personal development and to get out of their comfort zone. The college experience is about trying new things and this is certainly on the list!
HC Ithaca: Is there a difference regarding how you dealt with girls in China then and how you deal with girls here? What’s the culture shock like regarding people’s behavior?
TY: When I was in China, we had more rules. I went to boarding school in middle school and the rules were super strict. There was a curfew and we had to clean our rooms every day. You were not allowed to bring a phone. No computer, no technology and not even a hairdryer. There were six girls in a room and since most people are single children, we value our roommates as family members. Here, we have more freedom. At Ithaca, you have to control yourself because no one is constantly monitoring you and you have a lot of independence.
HC Ithaca: What is the single most important quality an RA should have?
TY: Patience.
HC Ithaca: What formal training did you do?
TY: Summer training is 10 intense days of lectures, presentations and getting together with other RAs for discussions and brainstorming.
HC Ithaca: Tian’s ‘words of wisdom’:
TY: Being an RA has helped me tremendously just by dealing with different people and becoming more open. It’s a great experience that helps you prepare for the real world and I strongly encourage people who are interested to apply. I am so grateful to the resident directors and for ResLife for giving me this incredible opportunity.