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A-
Ask for help!
You aren’t alone, and you probably aren’t the
expert. Utilize
the resources on your staff, in your hall and on your
campus. Think
of yourself as an "Referral Agent."
Know when to refer and who to refer to!
B-
Balance is very important.
Remember you are a student first, then an RA.
Prioritize the various commitments you have
and continually self evaluate to find out if you are
out of balance.
If you find yourself unbalanced, talk to someone
about it!
C-
Consistency is key!
If you aren’t consistent, it will come back
to haunt you.
Treat everyone fairly and don’t let anything
“slide.”
D-
Don’t take things personally.
When residents violate policy, it is not usually
directed at you as a person!
E-
Evaluate and assess the needs of your residents.
At the beginning of the year, and on an ongoing
basis, do formal and informal assessments to find
out what your residents need!
F-
Fun should always be part of the job!
If you aren’t having fun, you need to take
a step back and look at what you are doing.
If all you do is policy enforcement, you are
missing out!
G-
Get to know your residents, and be sure to
remember their names.
Make picture flashcards if you have to!
H-
Have a servant’s attitude, but don’t let yourself
be tread on or taken advantage of.
I-
Invest your time with care because it is a
valuable commodity.
Use a day timer.
Don’t over-commit, and remember how to say
the magic word, “no.”
J-
Just be yourself!
Let your residents see you as a person, not
just an RA.
K-
Know that you can’t please everybody.
L-
Laugh when things get crazy!
Sometimes it’s all you can do to stay sane.
M-
Maintain a solid front with your staff.
If residents are “dissing” another staff member,
don’t join in, even if you agree with them!
N-
Never share confidential information you know
about a resident!
If you respect your residents, they will respect
you.
O-
Open your door, but know when to lock yourself
in for some “me-time.”
P-
Program, program, program!
Plan programs and activities that help your
residents to grow, socially, academically and personally!
Q-
Quality time with residents is better than
a large quantity of programs.
Programs are essential, but be sure to just
“hang out” with your residents too.
R-
Remember why you became an RA.
Write down what your reasons are for being
an RA, and put them in a place you can refer to on
a regular basis.
S-
Study!
In addition to the fact that academics come
first, you are a role model for your residents.
T-
Take care of yourself.
If you don’t take care of yourself, how will
you be able to take care of your residents?
U-
Understand the variety of developmental levels
your residents are at, as well as the various backgrounds
they have come from, and the variety of views and
beliefs they hold.
Seeking to understand them more completely
will help you relate with them and serve them better.
V-
Value this great opportunity to help others!
W-
Working as a team with your fellow staff
is a key to success.
X-
Examine your own values, beliefs and background,
so you know your own biases.
This understanding of self will help you to
better understand others, which is very important
for working with a diverse group of people.
Y-
You have on of the most important jobs
on campus!
Z-
Z’s!
– Get some rest!
By
Dan Oltersdorf
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