Part 1: My first semester as a Resident Advisor
- Carlo Pezzana
- Dec 19, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: May 26, 2021
Over my college years at Lynn University, I have never considered the role of a Resident Advisor something I would have liked doing. However, when over the last winter break I started thinking about getting an apartment for the year later, one of my best friends told me I could have applied for the role, and also made me reflect why. I have always enjoyed being on campus and randomly start conversations with all the people I was running into when walking around the university. But the main reason why I changed my mind about the role is that I love people, and being an RA is a suitable role for individuals who enjoy getting to know new students and build new friendships. I find it energizing to learn about other cultures and different backgrounds by talking to individuals. I also wanted to share my experience at Lynn and my passions with my residents. I wanted to transmit that sense of belonging that I have for the university to my residents.
I applied indeed, and since I was studying abroad in Barcelona, I proceeded by applying online (it was still pretty unusual at that time before the pandemic). The process was successful, and in August, after the previous months dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, I came back to South Florida to begin my new adventure in Lynn Housing and Residence Life.
The training on Zoom was pretty tough initially: I was upset I could not engage and get to know the other RAs as I always liked how the RAs are so close to each other because they spend a lot of time together due to work. Once the year started, though, I have been able to get to know better the Housing Staff and learn how to be on duty rounds and perform administrative activities required. I also had a lot of fun planning the two programs/events I was in charge to organize to engage with my residents and the Lynn community. The Just Dance Night, the famous dancing game, was super fun, and students enjoyed it!
Anyway, the best part of my first semester as an RA was to meet my residents. The freshmen of the Lacrosse Team were unexpectedly given to me since I always thought I would have got the European soccer athletes due to my nationality. Getting to know the freshmen has been definitely super fun. As an Italian, it has been cool to learn about the lifestyles and backgrounds of American students; it helped open my mind. My main goal as an RA was to build a community with my residents talking to each other and hanging out together to create a healthy environment in the hall. Thanks to them, I felt that feeling of a community on my side of the floor (also called the penthouse since it is the top one), and I communicated well with many of my residents. Coming back from work in the afternoon and joke around with them in the hallway was something pleasant I will miss over the winter break. There also have been issues, of course, but those helped us to connect better and grow as individuals. It is not an easy year due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, especially for first-year students, but it has been great to take away the positive aspects.
Being an RA helped me acquire new skills and grow overall. I have learned how to act as a role model, a moderator in case conflicts between residents arise, and how to be organized. Moreover, I became closer with a few residents and with some RAs with whom I sometimes hang out.
Goals for my next semester include planning two fun and successful events, getting to know better my residents and other RAs, and hopefully, if there will be a season, go out on the field and support the lacrosse team during games!
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