Dispelling Resident Assistant Myths

December 12th, 2011

By: Katie Colton, RA - Hall 15 

It's that time of the year, time to apply to become an RA! The RA position is one of the top leadership positions on campus, but many students do not quite understand what an RA is. Here are some RA myths followed by what being an RA is actually like:

Myth: RAs are the fun police.Real Life: RAs are here to keep residents safe on campus.  Sometimes that requires doing the dirty work, but there is so much more to it.  RAs are here to create communities on campus and to be a resource for people.  Whether it's having a Thanksgiving dinner for residents, helping someone find a class, or resolving roommate conflicts, being an RA is so much more than breaking up parties.

Myth: Being an RA takes up so much time that you can't be involved with other things.Real Life: RAs do have a commitment to duty and staff meetings.  However, RAs are not on duty every single night- we take turns. Usually an RA is on 3-5 weekdays and 4-5 weekend days each month.  That's 7-10 days a month. Out of 31. Not so bad, right? Then you have programs and staff meetings, which don't take much time and are actually something us RAs look forward to.

Myth: Being an RA will kill your social life.Real Life: Being an RA does exactly the opposite.  Every year, I get to meet 250 new students that move into my hall. Plus there is the 64 other RAs and 10 professional staff members that I get to meet.  And because we're working so closely with so many other departments, I get to establish relationships with everyone from DPS Officers to Health Services to staff members from the Center for Student Involvement and more.  My three best friends at Bryant are people that I would have never met if I wasn't an RA.

There are so many things about being an RA that are great and often misinterpreted by others.  RAs on Bryant's campus especially have a very low turnover rate.  Very few, if any, RAs leave the job after the first year voluntarily because we all love it so much.  The relationships and support system involved are an experience unlike anything else, and it's a really great opportunity to become a better leader and role model.  Applications are available now in the Res Life Office or online!

A Day in the Life of an RA

November 28th, 2011

By: Sara Larrabee, RA - Lower Village

 "KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!" Outside my common room door are a few female residents searching for trash bags and a vacuum. Sometimes it seems as if that is all students need resident assistants for, but becoming an RA is so much more. Role model, studious, fun, caring, compassionate, helpful, responsible, super-overly-involved, driven - these are some of the characteristics that I think of when trying to describe a resident assistant.           

Upon completing the paper application and the group and individual interviews last February, it was a nail-biting couple of weeks before I received the great news that I had been chosen as a Resident Assistant in the Lower Village for my Junior year. This was a position that I had wanted since the middle of my Freshman year when I experienced first-hand how much I looked up to my RA and how much fun she had interacting with the other first-year students and planning programs for all of us.            

The RA position is one that is full of challenges, but reaps so much more in rewards. Each day I am pushed to be a better leader and a more proactive member of the Bryant community while being able to maintain my academics and build solid relationships with my residents (shout out to everyone on the 3rd and 4th floors of Hall 4!!).            

Being an RA is also about being a team player. As an RA I am a member of the 10 person Lower Village Staff but also of the entire Residence Life Family - all 65 of us! We meet as an entire staff every 2 weeks and it is great to see everyone and have time to discuss on-campus happenings/upcoming events and have a small break from the hectic lives we lead as college students.            

 I have developed great friendships with other new RAs and have strengthened other friendships through this position. I know that someone will always have my back whether I'm stressed because of an upcoming exam or if I encounter a tough situation while on duty. RAs create a strong support system that unites this campus and makes it a safe and comfortable place to live. Becoming an RA was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I'm sure will remain a highlight of my four years here on campus.            

We are all students pursuing our dreams and passions and I highly encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about how to become an RA or what an RA does to contact their own RA as we are a great source for all kinds of information! Applications will be available December 1st and can either be filled out from the Residence Life website or picked up in the Residence Life office (bottom of Hall 6). The priority deadline is Dec 19th (day halls close) and all apps are due no later than January 27th, 2012.

A Day In The Life of ResLife

August 19th, 2011

Beginning in the Fall of 2011, the Residence Life blog will post submissions by our Resident Assistants and professional staff about their experiences in their unique roles on campus.