listen...it is a class essay, but I feel there's no better way to introduce my RA blog.
I decided to become a superhero my Sophomore year of college. Well, "superhero" might be a loose term. My sophomore year, I became a Resident Advisor at San Diego State University. I know this might be a topic of disagreement, considering some people only tend to see Resident Advisors as the people who crash parties and write people up. I cannot necessarily tell you that’s incorrect because we do have to sometimes crash parties and we do document situations, but that is such a small part of my role. I like to consider myself a Superhero because I have the super power to make a difference. Superheroes have super powers, so basically get me a Superman shirt with a "RA" on it and it’s very official. I became a RA to help positively influence others’ lives, but it turns out that becoming a RA changed my life.
For context, let's flash back to my senior year of high school. I was in a multicultural English course. It was that unpleasant time of the year. It was the time we finally got college acceptances, or what I mainly saw, college rejections. I couldn't even tell you how many rejections I got that year, but it was not a number I was proud of . Around the same time, Mr. Wilson, my teacher decided to have us read a book called Where You Go Is Not Who’ll You’ll Be. Mr. Wilson was strategic with the choice of book, but I can’t really say I was ready for that lesson. I was the ASB President, Homecoming Queen, past Class President for 3 Years, had a 4.1 GPA, played Varsity Soccer and Volleyball—and I couldn't even get into a single UC. Granted, I only applied for the most competitive ones, but I was embarrassed. In my head, I just couldn’t accept this lesson Mr. Wilson was trying to teach us.
On the other hand, I did happen to get a random acceptance. It was from a school called San Diego State University. Fun fact: I only applied to San Diego State University because my dad said, "apply to another state school, those ones are good priced," and San Diego sounded like an okay place, so I sent out the application to SDSU. After various arguments, I would ultimately go to SDSU in the fall because financially it was the most reasonable decision. I was not excited. Before leaving I made a deal with my father that after two years of going to school at SDSU, I would have the chance to transfer to a school of my choosing. I went in with a very negative attitude. This was quite out of character, and I did not see anything worthwhile at SDSU. Of course, being a 3rd year now, things have changed, and this all goes back to becoming a superhero.
I may have entered with a negative attitude, but I can certainly say I never quite stopped being me. I sighed and complained to my dad, but after becoming involved in just one school organization, suddenly there was already an attachment. I joined Hall Council and I became the President. I will always remember my last program within Hall Council; it was called “Stick to Your Goals”. I had fellow residents fill out a post-it prior to finals week and with the help of the rest of my council we displayed the post-its in the lobby, so throughout the stressful week they could constantly be reminded of why they are working so hard. As I experienced my freshman year, I was making friends, meeting professors, and becoming a feminist. So many positive things were occurring, but I was still making plans to leave. I did constant research on different schools and what it would take to get into them. I obsessed over what sort of credits would transfer and how many letters of recommendation I would need. I still had one more year left, so I figured why not get a job I would have so much fun doing. I became a Resident Advisor. I remember getting the email like it was yesterday. There I was at University of Portland with my best friend Antonella when I saw the notification pop on my phone. I held my breath as I clicked to open it and in big letters the word “Congratulations” was written across the top of the email. I was in tears before I could even finish the email. This role meant so much to me before I even found out it would change my life.
Flash forward to sophomore year, I’m a Resident Advisor and I don’t really know what I’m doing. My thoughts went from “What’s a door dec? Oh. I have to make 76 of these little designs…okay. I have to plan 10 programs while attending school full time? But at least I’ll still get credit even if only two people show up. A 4’11 ½ tall girl is supposed to knock on a door and end a party? They’re going to hate me or just completely ignore what I’m saying, this must be a joke!” but despite these doubts, in no time, I could answer the Duty Flip Phone at 3AM, confidently stating, “RA on duty, this is Katie, how can I help you?” I fell in love with my residents, platonically, but very full of love. I became their mom, their friend, their support system for whatever they needed. I LOVED what I was doing. I threw a birthday party for all 76 of them. Writing each of their names on paper cupcakes, while creating homemade cake and a never-ending supply of classic grilled cheeses. 100 balloons were blown up and homemade decorations covered the common room, there was no such thing as doing too much for my residents. I became their Superhero. The whole time the year went by, the thoughts of applying to another school kept slipping away. I had already created such a strong connection to this campus, how could I possibly leave? What if I would not be able to be a RA at my new campus, what if I would lose this very special opportunity.
Becoming a RA became one of the most important roles I have ever had. I cannot help but bring it up in any way possible. I tell my friends at home about all my fun times as a RA, I mention it in every class self-introduction, and I mention when anyone tells you to explain who you are; in summary, it’s just kind of become a huge part in who I am. Like I said it’s not just busting parties and documenting situations, in fact, that is my least favorite part of the role. I don’t know anyone who thrives off of getting others in trouble, but it’s something I am willing to do if it affects the good of the community. As a RA, I am a community builder. I strive to create a safe place, a supportive place, and a fun place to be. I strive to bring as much enjoyment from my monthly bulletin board, I try to best appeal my programs to my resident’s needs, and I try and sit with my door open as often as possible. I have no doubt that friends back home or even other fellow students at SDSU question why I would spend my years at a big party school, as a RA, but I don’t need to explain why because I know nothing will change my mind.
Through my experience as a RA, I have truly come to learn: it doesn’t matter where you are, it is what you do to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. Mr. Wilson’s strategic book has so much truth to it, a lesson 3 years later I can finally come to appreciate, because where I am does not define who I am. I think in a way, it was fate for me to be a RA at whatever school I would have ended up at, but I am happy it has positively impacted my experience at SDSU. I remember when I first heard of a Sputnik moment, a concept introduced by Judith Rich in her article “Embracing Your Personal ‘Sputnik’ Moment”. I thought it’d have to be some sort of astonishing and miraculous moment. I thought, “there’s no way I’ve experienced one of those,” then suddenly I sat back in my chair, and I had a discovery. I know my life would not be the same if I hadn’t become a RA. Superheroes go out there doing work for others, helping to change the world, but sometimes they can save themselves too.
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