Christen CarterSophomore
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Have you ever wondered what keeps the Residence Halls from constantly being in a mass state of chaos? The answer is pretty simple: Resident Assistants. Even though the answer is simple, the job isn't always that easy. However, I figured if I was going to have a job on campus, I might as well have one that allows me to make a difference in someone else's life.
When I found out that I was going to be a 2008-2009 RA, I remember being so excited that I didn't even consider all the things that were eventually going to come along with the job. Sure, I knew what my RA had done during my first year at SMC. She just socialized with us, had duty every now and then, and got people in trouble, right? Wrong. What I saw of her job only scratched the surface. As a RA this year, I've been there for people when they needed an ear to listen, sat in my room for open door hours, had meetings, gone to classes, cut my vacations short for training sessions, changed my bulletin board once a month, created hall programs, and so much more. I've had the best time of my life doing it. It has all been very rewarding and taught me a lot about responsibility, but along the way, I've learned a lot about my true character.
RAs get a reputation for being "snitches" and the "bad guys," but all we're really trying to do is look out for the people we've all become friends with. Every night, there is a RA on duty who does rounds through their assigned building to make sure everything is safe and sound. Enforcing the rules can be intimidating at times, knowing that the next day we may have class with someone we just caught in violation of a SMC policy. There have been plenty of times when I've thought to myself, "This person is going to hate me eventually, but I've got to do the job I've been trained to do." I've given myself quite a few pep talks on different occasions! But, as difficult as that may be at times, most RAs would agree that it's even harder to manage our time.
Between meetings and programs, academics and extracurricular activities, there are some days when you just want to give up and say, "Forget it!" Those are the times, though, when the amazing friends who have become more like family step in to help you out. I've become best friends with some people I probably would have never formed a relationship with. All the RAs here at SMC come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and ethnicities, but we all come together to accomplish one common goal: to be the best resource and example that we can be for the people on our halls and on our campus.
When I found out that I was going to be a 2008-2009 RA, I remember being so excited that I didn't even consider all the things that were eventually going to come along with the job. Sure, I knew what my RA had done during my first year at SMC. She just socialized with us, had duty every now and then, and got people in trouble, right? Wrong. What I saw of her job only scratched the surface. As a RA this year, I've been there for people when they needed an ear to listen, sat in my room for open door hours, had meetings, gone to classes, cut my vacations short for training sessions, changed my bulletin board once a month, created hall programs, and so much more. I've had the best time of my life doing it. It has all been very rewarding and taught me a lot about responsibility, but along the way, I've learned a lot about my true character.
RAs get a reputation for being "snitches" and the "bad guys," but all we're really trying to do is look out for the people we've all become friends with. Every night, there is a RA on duty who does rounds through their assigned building to make sure everything is safe and sound. Enforcing the rules can be intimidating at times, knowing that the next day we may have class with someone we just caught in violation of a SMC policy. There have been plenty of times when I've thought to myself, "This person is going to hate me eventually, but I've got to do the job I've been trained to do." I've given myself quite a few pep talks on different occasions! But, as difficult as that may be at times, most RAs would agree that it's even harder to manage our time.
Between meetings and programs, academics and extracurricular activities, there are some days when you just want to give up and say, "Forget it!" Those are the times, though, when the amazing friends who have become more like family step in to help you out. I've become best friends with some people I probably would have never formed a relationship with. All the RAs here at SMC come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and ethnicities, but we all come together to accomplish one common goal: to be the best resource and example that we can be for the people on our halls and on our campus.
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