Okay please before I carry on the post, i must assure you my programs are primarily for my residents. I try and tailor them to what their interests are and their needs as much as possible, in fact, I’m even planning on starting a suggestion box this semester to get even more of their opinions to shine through. This being said, yes I want my programs to be fun for my residents. If I didn’t, there’s no way I’d get the proper attendance, but to some people who might be intimidated needing to execute 10 programs a semester, I want you to know, there’s something in it for you.
First off, consider what you’d like to do for a program. There are some life lessons we are meant to teach that might stand out to you or speak to your heart—really run with those. I personally am so excited for a Mirrorless Monday program I have in the works to help highlight body positivity for residents. A program I did last year, and this year I seek to hold it on a more grand scale, hoping to be able to remind even more people that what they see in the mirror does not define them and they are absolutely beautiful. This is something that matters to me, so I will have a program for it. I also know it is especially important for my dancer residents who have specific expectations for how a body should look. It’s important to consider your interests as well because how you act about a program is the way others will feel about it. If there is a lack of excitement or even desire to be holding a program, why would residents want to go? My favorite quote is: ”No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” so my piece of advice would be to let your passion shine through in your programs and residents will hopefully follow and come learn something. Even something like economic spending can become fun if you make it into something you enjoy. Yup, you’ve heard of the Ca$h Cab, well in a residence hall we can’t have a cab so we make it a lil different, I called it the “Ca$h Elevator.”
Let’s also consider what you can gain from having these programs. I can confess I have learned so much more about sex and alcohol and so many other life lessons just from having programs on these topics or attend other co-workers programs. It has been extremely eye opening. Who knew there were female condoms? Well apparently not me. I found out my first year into being an RA. Sometimes you google facts and gain information that way. Sometimes residents bring up new information and you’re impressed that you didn’t know it beforehand. Other times, you gain other skills than just knowledge. Public speaking is certainly something that improves. I’d say I’ve always been pretty comfortable with crowds, considering my past as ASB President, I like talking in front of people. Hosting tons of programs continues to improve confidence in speaking in front of (potentially unknown) people. I saw how much this impacted me during my internship at my university’s Women’s Resource Center, where we were responsible for hosting a program. I was so relaxed and prepared without really needing practice, while other interns were nervous about it. Knowledge and helpful skills for later? heck yeah! It’s Important to consider these things, it’s not just checking a box, like good job you have done a program for a month and that was your expectation. Consider it a time for growth, a opportunity to influence residents and share a positive experience and lesson with them.
I hope my point is starting to shine through, now I know this has been a lot of educational program talk, but let’s talk SOCIALS. Okay socials are the fun programs with quite little requirements. This is your time to have fun with residents and really put together something they can enjoy and be social with one another. My main encouragement is to think OUTSIDE THE BOX. There’s a lot of programs that are repeatedly done, truly some are classics, so allow yourself a movie night and a floor dinner, but don’t settle with the rest of your programs. My favorite program ever was a surprise birthday party I threw for my residents, we had cake, decorations, and an immense amount of balloons. We also had grilled cheeses because of their debate “are grilled cheeses a snack or meal” and a piñata because what’s a party without one? It was so much fun! And the residents really appreciated it. It let them be recognized for birthdays and also allowed them a final time to hang out before moving out. I’ll be doing this again this year, but now, EVEN BETTER. I try and stay as unique to my programs or find a twist to make it my own. Let your programs be fun and educational with enough residents present to also make it count. Also keep in mind, personally I don’t see numbers as a way to show what is the best program. It’s in the experience and what you do for the residents, if you could encourage 2 residents to practice safe sex, you are still doing an amazing job just try and find new ways to reach the others!
if you’re to take anything from this: make sure your program has a cool name. Maybe this is a given, but I think it makes a difference with what residents want to attend. Plus who doesn’t enjoy a good pun ;) programs are more than just a requirement—don’t meet expectations, exceed them by really striving to leave a program legacy.
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