Confessions/Revelations of an R.A., Part I

From R.A. to R.A.

I take the name of this blog entry from Olivia Perry’s old blog from when she was an RA. I just needed to give her props for that.

WARNING: This blog may be rather scattered and non-sequential, so please bear with me.

Over the past two months I transitioned from an R.A. to an R.A. R.A. in the former sense refers to my life as a fairly independent Research Assistant at a rather large university. However, in the latter sense, R.A. means Resident Assistant of Sutherland at Covenant College.

Despite the acronymic consistency in these roles, there is little that the two share in common. Given this, I have been asking myself several questions: Which do I enjoy more? Which is more difficult? Which challenges me more?

I’ve discovered that there is seriously no comparison and subsequently no answer to any of these questions. Being a Research Assistant gives you strict boundaries of what you’re supposed to do: go into the lab, do work, get pissed at the computer program that isn’t working correctly, go to lunch, run subjects, and go home. But being a Resident Assistant does not allow for this consistency. On the other hand, my time as a Research Assistant was much more academically and professionally challenging than right now; it’s nice to be at college and not be concerned with classes ☺

Life is crazy, but it is so, so, so very blessed. I’m a fan.

Since my mind operates in lists and check-marks, this list should give you an idea of how I’m doing:

1. You think you know, but you have no idea. . . really rings clear in my mind right now. Thank you MTV.

2. Did you know?! When your R.A. asks you to have a meal with him/her, 97% of the time it’s probably not because you did something wrong or because of disciplinary reasons. It’s probably because your R.A. genuinely wants to get to know you better. In fact, that’s one of the reasons your R.A. was hired! Because he/she person sees the importance of student development and investing in the lives of others! We’re not “paid friends.” Imagine that.

3. Being an R.A. provides a way for Satan to isolate you. You must be humble and allow yourself to be loved or you will die a slow and painful spiritual and emotional death. Sorry for the macabre description, but it’s very true.

4. I understand why my past R.A.’s did some of the things they did and I respect them more for it now.

5. I don’t think anyone can understand what it’s like to be an R.A. unless you are an R.A. I know I didn’t (see #1).

6. Being an R.A. really makes you realize that you’re not the sh*t and that you can learn from and be blessed by people you’re leading. The humility in leadership I have experienced is so beautiful and is one way Yahweh has loved me recently.

7. I like the creativity and imagination that being an R.A. requires. My mind is being stretched in cool ways.

8. Did you know?! Don’t be afraid to challenge, call out, ask questions to, or pray with your R.A. We all need these varied encouragements. Your R.A. is just as broken and screwed up as you think you are. And if you don’t think you are, look to the Gospel.

9. I have really grown to love and cherish my relationships with my friends not on my hall. I think God is using this experience to encourage me to not take these people for granted anymore. Thank you Alex, Tim, Josh, Jackson, Febre, Bergs, Beth, Austin, Anne, Snuggs, Jon, and anyone else I missed. You all have really shown me the love of Christ in different and truly beautiful ways.

10. It’s really difficult for me to allow myself to be loved, but I think God is growing me in this way. I’m getting better at letting my guard down when appropriate.

To be continued. . .