In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, we we are joined byย Marcus Zacariasย (UC Berkeley) to solve the puzzle of low attendance and low energy. The secret? It doesnโt require a massive budget or hours of planning. We dive deep into the art ofย micro-programmingย andย intentional conversations. Discover how RAs and student staff members can maintain community momentum even during the busiest times of the year by focusing on low-effort, high-reward interactions that meet residents exactly where they are.
Conversation Starters For Your Intentional Interactions
Part of the role of RAs and student staff members is to get to know and support residents. A key strategy in doing this is to have intentional conversations. Rather than just ask about the weather or focus on surface-level chats, each interaction is an opportunity to connect with and help residents. This is what... Continue Reading →
1 Tip For New RAs: Knock KnockโฆTell Me All About You
This April marked 25 years since I graduated from my undergraduate institution, The Florida State University (forever and always, Go Noles!). This is important to note because I served as a RA there. I have lived and learned a lot since then so my advice is both rooted in wisdom and practical knowledge from doing this work... Continue Reading →
“Third-Thinging” Difficult Conversations: A Tool for RAs and Student Staff
As an RA or student staff member, youโre no stranger to difficult conversations. Maybe itโs mediating a roommate conflict, talking to a resident about noise complaints, or addressing a policy violation. No matter how much training you get, these conversations can still feel awkward or uncomfortable. Thatโs where a technique calledย "third-thinging"ย comes in. It can make... Continue Reading →
Resident Connections: Going Beyond a Simple Chat
~ Blog Posts Written By RAs for RAs ~ Anyone who has worked in residential life, from student staff to professional staff of all levels, have most likely come across training and strategies regarding students and how to build connections with them, but how effective are they really? Here, the fundamental aspects of a resident... Continue Reading →



