This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at App State chapter.
This school year, I have had the privilege of being a Resident Assistant on campus. While this job has been filled with stressful moments and often times, monotonous tasks, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I could probably write a book about everything I have learned from this job. However, I have narrowed that list down to what I like to call, “Life Lessons According to the RA”.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. I’ll be the first to admit that I am a worrywart and stress about everything under the sun. However, when you deal with about 30 individuals’ personal problems on a daily basis, you realize just how small your own problems are. Be selective when deciding what’s truly worth all the anxiety.
- Have a plan. Spontaneity is great, but it’s also crucial to be organized and systematic if you want to thrive in any given environment, whether it be the classroom or workplace. I live and breathe by my planner and would be lost without it. Knowing what I need to do and when exactly it needs to be done helps me stay on task and manage my time well. That being said….
- Know that nothing goes according to the plan. No matter how detailed my agenda may be, I cannot plan for the 4 a.m. calls to handle a situation or for the small incident that turns into a three-hour ordeal. Any experienced RA will tell you that you learn to roll with the punches. But if you’ve mastered the ability to let the small stuff roll off your back and stay organized, a slight detour won’t throw you off too much. See how it’s all connected?
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- Don’t judge a book by its cover. Cliché, I know, but it’s one of the first, and most important lessons I learned. You’d be amazed what people are going through that they keep private. The individuals with the biggest smiles are often the ones with the most struggles. I’m sure we’ve all seen someone looking disheveled in the cafeteria and without thinking about it, judged them for their appearance. And while that person may have simply overslept or ran out of clean clothes, they could also be facing some unimaginable things at home, with their outfit or hair being the least of their concerns. It’s in human nature to judge, but keep in mind that you only see what’s on the exterior.
- Be kind. Being a young individual in today’s society is tough. Constant ridicule and pressure to fit in can really bring a person down. So a simple compliment or a few kind words has immense power to completely turn someone’s day around. I’ve learned from personal experience that at the end of the day, what people remember is how you treated them and how you made them feel. I once had a resident thank me for being kind to her when she needed it most. Her appreciation warmed my heart and I will never forget that.
- Don’t burn any bridges. Working with others can be challenging and frustrating. It may take everything you’ve got to avoid a heated argument with someone. But whether you are interacting with your own peers or your supervisor, maintaining a good relationship will go a long way. I’m sure we can all think of someone that we would have loved to put in their place or never associate with again. However, the truth of the matter is that we live in a small world. You really never know when you’re going to have to work with someone again or need a favor from someone down the road. Staying in good graces with people will take you far. Whether you have a strictly professional relationship with someone or become good friends is your choice.
I’ve learned so much from this job about myself and have grown tremendously as an individual. If you are ever presented with a similar opportunity to further develop your character, I encourage you to take it! Sure, it may have its ups and downs, but the rewards will greatly outweigh the tribulations.