It Begins

RA Training is over, and Welcome Week is here. The students have been slowly trickling into the building, and tomorrow is the big day when we get hit with 400-500 freshman. The RA’s, the Grads and the Professional Staff are exhausted and drained... and then there is me… with enough energy to power a drumming bunny.

Let me back up a little bit.

On the 14^th of this month, we met the Resident Assistants (RA) that will be working and living in the building. I was really nervous about meeting this group of young men and women. New on staff or returning for their third year working in Read, these are young people that I have to mentor and lead and supervise. I was (and still am, a little bit) terrified of failing them – and we hadn’t even met yet.

And then we met.

I have never fallen in love so fast.

This group is eclectic and ridiculous and smart and funny. They are genuine and caring and excited about this school year. They have been taking the initiative in training. They have been going out of their way to get to know their International residents (which can be pretty hard to do). They have been inclusive with each other, sending mass texts to the team about grabbing grub or heading to the gym. They have been supportive of each other’s ability to learn and make mistakes and grow. 

I couldn’t consider myself more blessed. 

This week is my first week on duty (which means I have the “duty phone.” If there is an emergency in the building, or if an RA is nervous about handling a situation or simply wants backup, I get the call, day or night.) Of course, I end up with the first week that all of the students are in the building, the week that will undoubtedly have the most policy violations. I am nervous about handling alcohol, drugs, noise violations, violence, etc. I’m nervous about it all. But I have a killer staff backing me. And I can’t wait to see them in action. Not only that, but I can’t wait to also have the opportunity to learn and make mistakes and grow. And I know the support will be there for me through it all. And that is priceless.

Lots of love! – Jillian Liota