Residence life and education, residential curriculum and curricular approaches, student housing, and technology.
By Kate Pilcher Returning to the RA role often comes with a quiet, unspoken pressure: you should know this by now. You’ve already navigated your way around campus, duty, rounds, roommate conflicts, crisis protocols, and the sometimes emotionally taxing labor that comes with supporting residents. Due to exposure and experience, returning RAs are frequently seen... Continue Reading →
By Erin Brown To all the returning RAs out there, welcome back and congratulations – you made it through at least a semester of staff meetings, on call nights, bulletin boards, and programming. You worked on building community, developing yourself through 1:1s and programs, and showing up as a leader to your area. You’re getting... Continue Reading →
Winter break provides a much needed time to rest after Fall semester, allowing students to reconnect with their lives away from campus. However, with this period of rest and recharging, it’s easy to lose the good habits that you developed during the semester– such as sleeping on a regular schedule, getting outside everyday, maintaining good... Continue Reading →
It’s always around the holiday times that I find myself pondering the things in my life that I am grateful for. As a student leader in housing or a Resident Assistant, it is important to reflect on the things you are grateful for as well because the job can be demanding and stressful. While I... Continue Reading →
My blog post for Roompact this month is a reflection on my past few weeks, which have frankly been one of the most difficult times of my life. A close family member of mine suddenly passed away with no warning. I was thrown into planning a funeral a couple states away from my home, a... Continue Reading →
When you're in the thick of duty rotations, roommate conflicts, and late-night conversations, it's easy to put yourself last. But you (your energy, your emotions, your connections, your purpose) are not a side note to your student staff role. They're the foundation. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s strategic. It allows you to show... Continue Reading →
Your schedule is packed with duty shifts, programming, and supporting your residents. It's easy to forget to take care of yourself amidst all these responsibilities. But remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Taking time for self-care isn't just beneficial. It's essential. Consider the idea of tearing yourself to a DIY Wellness Retreat. No need for expensive getaways;... Continue Reading →
Lately, it feels like journaling has become super popular again. You might see it all over social media. People using journals to set goals, save memories, or even just collect stickers and random scraps from their day (shoutout to junk journaling fans!). Maybe it's time to try out a new habit. One that could seriously... Continue Reading →
We all know that residence life can be stressful! And self care is CRITICALLY important? But how do you know if your'e practicing good and regular self care? One of the best strategies is through self-reflection and check-ins. Your supervisor can also be a support. Below you will find a self-assessment tool that includes a... Continue Reading →
Adapted from: Wherever You Go, There You Are College life is a whirlwind. Between classes, work, and the ever-present social scene, it's easy to feel overwhelmed as a residential life student staff member. You're not just a student anymore – you're a leader, a confidant, an event planner, an academic advisor, and sometimes, a crisis counselor... Continue Reading →
During my first day as an RA, I had a floor meeting with my residents. I introduced myself, did an ice breaker, shared some resources, and shared policy expectations. I can vividly recall telling my residents, “I am here to support you, so never feel bad if you need to reach out for questions or... Continue Reading →
