What It's Like To Be A Resident Assistant At Temple University

Becoming an RA is unlike any other on-campus job. You might think it's just planning programs, holding floor meetings, or keeping residents in line, but there's so much more to the job than meets the eye. Here's all you need to know about being an RA on Temple's campus!

Your leadership skills will flourish

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As the leader of your floor, you are responsible for the wellbeing of your community. Whether you're dealing with a roommate conflict or you're holding a floor meeting, leadership skills are required to make sure your job is being done efficiently and correctly. But don't worry, you won't have to have these skills perfected by the first day of move-in. They develop over time! By the end of the year, you'll notice that your leadership skills have grown in tremendous ways!

Time management is key

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Like most jobs, it's important to be on top of all of your duties. Being an RA requires almost as much planning, as it does execution. Between programs, staff meetings, and time spent with residents, it's important to make sure you're organized and prepared for everything happening within the next few weeks- and don't forget it's equally as important to schedule time for yourself, as well!

Your impact is visible and valuable

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Creating a community is no small feat, so being able to watch residents connect and grow together is super rewarding. You may think that putting up a simple bulletin board won't make a huge difference, but you'll be surprised how many residents learn from and pay attention to the little things. Don't underestimate the impact you make on your resident's lives. Even a smile goes a long way!

You'll have a whole team to back you up

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They're there to help you through the stressful times and they're there to cheer you on when you succeed. Being an RA is unlike any other job, so having a team to support you helps you be the best RA you can be. Not to mention, your staff becomes your family!

You'll be exposed to an incredible diversity of residents

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Nothing takes you out of your comfort zone more than being exposed to diversity and the role of an RA does just that! You'll learn about the different ways people grew up, their beliefs, their struggles, and their identities. Understanding different lifestyles is a huge reward of becoming an RA and can sometimes be a humbling experience. You'll learn more about the world than you ever thought you could in a dorm!

You'll grow as an individual

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In the midst of all of the planning, nights of duty, meetings, and the occasional 4AM fire-drill, you might not notice how much you've grown as a person. But at the end of the day, being an RA is a life-changing experience. Leading others towards success and building a community is not an easy task, so sometimes you need to take a minute and pat yourself on the back because you're doing amazing things that have a positive impact on the lives of your residents, as well as your own.