College Life - Through the Eyes of an RA

Being an RA is not a bad thing at all like some people may perceive them to be. It is actually a very enjoyable and fun experience! So let me tell you all about what has been going on lately through the eyes of an actual RA. 

I am an RA (resident assistant) in the sophomore area on campus! RA's are in charge of putting on programs, which are events that help bring the resident community together and of course have lots of fun doing it. Tonight my staff and I got together for our all area program and invited our entire resident community to join us and do something really great for the elderly residents of Erie! We took regular flower plants and painted, colored, and even bedazzled a few of them. As a result, we have created close to 30 vibrant flower pots and are going to fill them with different flower seeds and give them out to the elderly in a nursing home of Erie. 

Here is the Upper Sophomore Staff with our Assistant Director, Michael, and Hall Director, Dean. Dean was trying to be funny as you can tell :) 

Here is the finishing product of all the pots the residents and RA's created tonight! We hope to make the elderly at St. Mary's feel like they are thought of and cared about! 

RA's are not there to make residents' lives miserable and catching them when they are doing things they shouldn't be doing. RA's are leaders of the college who are willing to help other students in times of crisis, in times of need (such as maintenance issues and roommate conflicts), and most of all to bring fun and happiness to the residence hall! It's very tough at times to be in the position of an RA, and sometimes it can be unfair when you are on duty on days, such as Halloween. That means you can't go out and dress up with your friends and have a fun time. You are going to be in your apartment doing rounds around the area when the Assistant Director tells you and to be on call when there are incidents going on. I must say those are the only downfalls of the job, but it is your job and you get VERY good perks for doing it. 

RA's in the freshman area get a free meal plan and free room as well. RA's in the upperclassmen area only get free room, but that's okay because we get an actual kitchen! RA's in the freshmen area do not. So it balances itself out. RA's in all area's also get a stipend of $250 to spend on campus (i.e. food, coffee, etc.). And most of all, the best perk I think we get is the lasting relationships you make with your staff. You become so close and they basically become your second family. I've been lucky enough to have had 2 great staffs both my years as an RA and I love knowing that when I go to staff meetings I'm going to have a fun time being there. 

So my advice to you, if you want to live up the college experience become an RA! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I promise that it will be an experience you will never regret.

If you'd like to learn more about Residence Life and their role on campus, here is the link!

http://www.mercyhurst.edu/student-life/residence-life/