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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UBC chapter.

Dear Resident,

I hope that by now we have already had a chance to meet and get to know each other a little bit. You are a part of a community at UBC Vancouver, and it is my sincerest hope that you feel comfortable and welcome here. If this is not the case, I have not been doing my job.

It may appear that my job is to merely enforce residence life standards set by UBC – I come and knock on the door and ask you to turn down your music after quiet hours; I ask you to move farther away from the building when you are smoking (at least 8 metres, please!); no sports indoors. While these are all things that pertain to my job, there is a lot more to my role! More importantly, there are a few ways that you can contribute to making my job easier, and your experience as a resident way better!

  1. Read the posters on your floor. There are a lot, but they promote really great opportunities for engagement with UBC. Posters also let you know about events that are being put on especially for YOU by your advisor! At least stop by these events – it makes your advisor feel a lot better about the work they’ve put in, and there is almost always food and fun for you.
  2. Talk to your RA. If you have an idea or a concern or a skill you want to share, come and chat to me about it! I can create a program, or help you facilitate the planning of a community social. You can even come by to drink tea or study with company. Help me to help you, because I don’t want you to think that you are alone in your community.
  3. Ask about involvement. Being involved with UBC on campus has greatly enhanced my social life, time management skills, and overall wellbeing while at school. As your RA, I make it my goal to be aware of ways that you can explore involvement at UBC.

You are attending what I believe to be an amazing school, and I hope you feel fortunate to be living in residence – it has been one of the greatest periods of my life. My residence advisors were hugely influential for my residence experience at UBC, and I want you to feel the same way once your time with your RA comes to a close. I will do my best – but I need your help.

Sincerely,

Your Residence Advisor

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Katie (she/her) has a Graduate Diploma in Business from Queen's University and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice Minor from the University of British Columbia. She is a former Campus Correspondent of HC at UBC and is passionate about people and their wellbeing, photography, and food.
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