How much tooling around on the internet have you done lately? Alot? How much is related to your job???Well there are about 30,000 RA's, DSM's and ARC's out there at any given moment. They all have stories...just like you....that involve puke, poop, stealing and the usual list of ridiculous bevaiors.
It's time to connect with your peers, so for Monday I would like you to visit this site: http://www.reslife.net/html/so-now.html
Choose a post to read and summerize it for everyone. Don't forget to tell us why you picked it and how you'll use that information in your job.
Happy reading!
11 comments:
I chose to read "If walls could talk...and sometimes they do!" on Reslife. I was only a few sentences in when I realized that I was reading MY OWN LIFE! When you become an RA, your life has dramatically changed. You are now living in a glass box where everything you do is watched, judged and sometimes even mocked. As "the RA" everything you do; action you take, things you say, shows you watch on TV, posters you hang on your wall, interests you have are now being analyzed.
The article on Reslife included a resident, Cathy and the RA of the co-ed floor. Cathy was known for being a somewhat quiet resident but always friendly. Cathy asked the RA if they could talk privately about an issue. The RA welcomed Cathy into his/her room and was ready to hear anything that Cathy wanted to discuss. After only a few moments and a long pause, Cathy excused herself and said that the issue was no longer important. The RA was a little confused and told Cathy that she could still come back anytime.
The matter of the situation was that Cathy was facing body-images issues and peer acceptance. Cathy was already very petite but somehow still believed she could lose more weight. Cathy didn't get the attention and affection she desired and always believed that other girls were way more prettier than she was. Cathy was ready to talk to the RA about these issues and possibly get advice or resources of where she could go for some extra guidance. However, once Cathy got into the RA's room, she no longer wanted to have the conversation simply because of the posters that were hung on the wall. The posters were of half-naked supermodels and there were playboy symbols all over the walls.
I found this situation to be extremely relevant to my everyday life as an RA. I've seen multiple residents have these posters hung on their walls as well as even some RA's on my own staff. I think it's important to remember that even though you do have your own room and are welcome to have items of your interest within it, you need to think of the image it has on you. Even though you may find the models to be extremely attractive, others may not. It also may peg you for being someone you're not---this is not just included males either.
We are now living in the "spotlight" and every little detail of our lives are being watched. Maybe take a step back, or even a step out of your room and decide if what you see is truly the image you want you residents to see or even be known for.
I chose to read the article titled "SHHHH, It's the RA". It was about a situation an RA encountered one night after waking up to go to the bathroom at 2:15 am. The RA heard a loud room and decided to confront the room. The RA knocked and immediately heard " Shh, its the RA...Hide that...pour it out the window or something" and other statements like that. They finally opened the door and the RA saw beer bottles "hidden" throughout the room. The RA asked one of the residents to step out and talk to them. The resident stepped out and closed the door behind them and they spoke only to find out that the people in the room locked them out and escaped from the window. This is a prime example of why it is so important to get backup as to have that extra set of eyes to watch the situation and to avoid getting stuck with "closed doors".
I chose to read 'We can be Heroes, for more than a Day' because I believe that all housing staff member are heroes and I wanted to see what the author had to say. He first discussed the show Heroes and talked about the challenges that they took on. As the page went on he talked about how RAs are heroes and make a difference in many lives. Though things may be hard such as addressing policy violations or discussing homesickness with a resident we all do it for the better of others. Like most heroes we all have dual identity of being part student part leader. Residents see all RA as heroes and I feel sometimes we forget just how important we are to others so being recognized as heroes is perfect. So to all of the staff never forget just how important you are to the others around you.
The article that caught my attention, off of the Reslife website, was the article "Life in a Fishbowl." Being a first year RA, the concept of always being watched is a new feeling, and can be somewhat intimidating. The article discussed how every action you take, is seen by someone. It could be your resident, a friend, a random person who knows your title, or anyone else on or possibly off campus. The article author of the article, told a personal story of living in a small town where everyone knows everyone, and how its basically the fish bowl effect. That segment of the article really caught my eye, because I can relate to that as well; being from a small town. If I caused trouble in my hometown, my parents would know about it before I even made it home. All through training, they drilled into our heads this concept, but I never really related it to living in a small town. The article then when into detail, of how every decision, action, mistake, and words you say, are being judged. The fishbowl effect is something that has been an obstacle for me, but also a growing experience. Its hard to go about ever day life always being watched. People make mistakes, but as an RA, it is a lot harder to make a mistake, and not have it publicized. If I were to walk down the street, and slip a curse word, it would be a much bigger deal than if a resident slipped it, simply because of my tittle. It can be frustrating at times, but it can also be an eye opening opportunity to really think about how you want to be viewed as a person. In the past few weeks, since I really started my job as an RA, I believe I have matured quite a bit from last year. Knowing that I am always being watched, I try to portray myself as a respectable person, that students can look up to. I am more aware of words I use, the way I talk to people, my attitude towards crappy situations, and my overall look on life. Always being watched can be frustrating at times, but in the end, it makes you really think about how you would like others to see you, and how you want to portray yourself.
I chose to read "Financial Success in College". It has been something I know has been on my mind as well as others as of late. The article discusses the definition of being financially successful. It's definition is described as "you are not in debt or worse off than you started". I found this shocking because most I know, including myself, will be in debt after college. The other reason I chose to read this article is because how expensive it can be to be an art major (and as I am now learning with Daisy, apparel majors too!!)
The article goes on then to describe the relationship of Credit Cards and College students. As I have learned lately from my dad "I need to build my credit" and I need to build it fast. "Credit cards can either make you or unmake you; this is because if you use them wisely, once you graduate, it will be easier to get a loan for a new car or a lower security deposit on that new apartment. " The risks of a credit card can be a looming threat when looking into having a personal credit card in college but, if used wisely, you can really take advantage and have a leg up once out of college.
In my job, I will encourage financially stressed students to strive to be debt free post-graduation. I can give them resources such as the Financial Aid office that will help them look into their finances now and what they can do to be financially successfully in the future.
I picked “Advice for Returning Staff Members: How to be a Good Returning RA.” I picked this because only a few of us are returning staff members, and I’ve always wanted to be able to help in any way I can around MC. So it kind of connects to me personally. Lastly I’ll use it in my job to try and help everyone else, or offer suggestions and advice when asked.
The article starts by informing everyone that things continue to change, from day to day, month to month, and year to year. This is a key thing to being a returning staff member; the floor will be different, you [the RA] will be older, the floor dynamic will be new. Although the first year of being a staff member was fantastic and awesome, the new year is here and brings a new staff and new residents.
Learning to help others (more specifically staff members) is a very vital role of returning. Because you [the returner] has already been through this, training and the job, the new staff wont always understand what has to be done, or when something should be done. Its incredibly helpful to the new staff to offer advice and help out when needed.
Another thing to look into is finding another housing role to fill. That could be as simple as asking the HD for other things that could get done, to picking up another job in the housing department. This not only looks good, but also builds credibility and gets the rest of housing to know who you are.
Another vital thing to remember is that you [the returner] are not perfect. You can still mess up, and you need to own those mistakes. With this make sure your helping build experience with your staff. Don’t always take the lead so others can learn, and make sure you have good communication.
Lastly, take time for yourself! You are still a person, and eventually you will need time off. Make sure you TAKE IT. It can truly affect your job performance. With this make sure all of your student responsibilities are being taken care of. Being a person comes first, student in very close second, and RA comes third. Remember your humanity!
I read Hi.. it's me, your Tshirt. This post was written from the view of a Tshirt. But, this is not just any shirt, it's a staff shirt. The shirt goes on to tell all about how excited staff members make Tshirts, and acknowledges all the accomplishments in receiving this staff shirt. Then the shirt talks about how the year goes and how while it fades, the memories stick around into the next year. It's quite the warm and fuzzy piece.
I think that this is important for us to remember things like this. As a returning staff member it made me think back to last year and all that I learned from it. I never really thought about my tshirt telling a story or being like a trophy, and reading this, it makes sense. I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, so reading things like this are good reminders of what I have actually gotten done, and that it has not all been for nothing. In the future, I will keep this page bookmarked, as it will be a good pick me up when I need it later in the semester and year. :D
I choose to "We can be heroes, for more than a day." We do spend 2 weeks at training. We do deal with some minor incidents and we do deal with bigger than the picture incidents. Being a 2nd year RA I know I've made changes in someone's life in a positive way. This goes back to my why I took this role. I want to help people and understand where they are coming from. When I was a child, I grew up on the streets of Minneapolis. What I saw changed my perspective on life. The poverty, gangs, violence. We were in a bad neighborhood. This is why I choose to help and this is why I went into my major. I also know we have each other for support. MC Family! haha :)
Thank you for posting everyone!
I read the article "Facebook Follies," which is about how social media has become such a huge part of the college students' life and how, although it does have the potential for good, it can also bring about a lot of harm.
The obvious reason Facebook can cause harm is by people choosing to post personal information such as a phone number or address for the public, or even just friends to see. People are often trusting of a "friend of a friend" or someone who looks safe and aren't concerned that this person could potentially be dangerous. The main idea is, we as students don't consider the dangers that Facebook could allow for.
The last situation described in the article is about a student who is at an interview for their first job after just finishing their education degree. The student watches as their potential employer lays out a stack of pictures of all the irresponsible things they did in college. This embarrassing and awful situation is actually very realistic given that employers regularly assess the character of the interviewee on Facebook beforehand.
The article left me with the question of, "what can you as an RA do help students take ownership of their image over social media." I know that we, as housing employees, definitely desire to see students succeed, and to help them realize that although college is an awesome time, it is leading to their future, and as adults they need to start to portray their image as such. While posting a picture at a college party seems like the normal thing to do, students need to realize that it displays a level of irresponsibility and can definitely interfere with your future.
I remember being told this in the beginning of college, and after reading this I am reminded of the importance of this concept! I hope I can help my residents come to this understanding as well.
Thanks for posting Abbie!
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