How Being an RA has Changed my Life

By Pierce Mederios
@YCpierce

Along with being a part of the Campus PR Squad for York College, I also work for the Residence Life team. I originally wanted to become a resident assistant (RA) because I was looking for a way to get closer to people on campus. My freshman year, I never really left my room and I hardly knew anyone’s name. But, after joining the Res Life staff my sophomore year, I can honestly say that I have grown as a person. So, I'm here to talk a little more about how getting involved in Residence Life has helped me grow.

It is because of being an RA that I have become more outgoing and I have become a more friendly, helpful human being. I have learned so many valuable skills that I know will help me for the rest of my life, and I have learned skills that will help me in any job I have after college.

I never thought that unlocking the same person’s door for them for the third time in the same week would turn out to be such a character builder. One of the biggest things that being an RA has taught me is to have patience. There have been times where I have been asked the same question by multiple people on the same day. It is my job to respond to the last person with a good attitude just as I did the first person because even though it is the third or fourth time I have been asked the same question, it is the first time that particular student has asked it. 

The Residence Life staff makes a huge impact on this campus. I speak from personal experience when I say that the RA's of each building mean more to the students than they know. The RA's of my building (McCloud Hall) my freshman year were the ones who inspired me to become an RA myself. Every single time Cameron Merrill checked my room (and I was awake) he asked me how I was doing, or if everything was going okay, or even just simply what show I was watching or game I was playing. Not only are Cam and I good friends now, but ever since then, I have tried to make the same impact on other students that he had on me. I know what a huge difference he and the other resident assistants made in my enjoyment of college that first year.

For many incoming college students, the RA's are the first people that they get to have a full and meaningful conversation with. The Residence Life team is on campus early to move everyone in, and to help them feel welcome at York College. We arrive on campus during the first week of August, which is about 3 weeks before the first day of classes. This is because we attend training so that we are prepared to run the buildings of York College. Some of our training includes the basics of the job, questions that residents frequently ask, and emergency scenarios. The Residence Life staff prepares its resident assistants for any scenario that may come our way. We take our jobs seriously and we know that it is important for us to do our jobs correctly in order to keep residents safe, and best of all to also ensure that students enjoy their time here at YC! 

I am so grateful for everything that Residence Life has taught me, and I would encourage anyone who wants to improve themselves in any way to apply to become a resident assistant their sophomore year. I am currently in my second year of working for Res Life and I love working for the  team here. I know there are many others who would too!