RA Class Week 3

This week in class, the importance of being flexible and able to change was emphasized as we were asked to cooperate and adjust to changes within the class itself and within our jobs. Being flexible is a valuable skill as it allows one to function in a variety of situations without complications. Flexibility enables one to interact and adjust to situations in order to best meet requirements and fulfill needs. This skill was clearly demonstrated in class when issues about the volunteer experience were brought up. Evaluating the situation and adjusting to the individual needs of the students and the class as the whole my instructor adjusted the assignment in order to enhance the class and improve the experience of the students. This trait is not only respectable, but also highly appreciated. I thank him for possessing this trait, and am glad to have others around me who bear this skill.

In our jobs, we must learn to have this skill, as well. By evaluating our halls, our floors, and our residents, we can better learn what they need and desire and find ways to best suit these expectations. By constantly observing and adjusting, a resident assistant will bestow the best environment they can upon their residents and allow them to flourish in ways that best allow them to. This is important as each hall, each floor, and each resident has unique differences and a variety of individualities that need to be addressed in order to best care for them. As in most cases, there cannot be a “blanket” procedure, meant to encompass all and take care of everything.

In order to understand the importance of this skill even more, we were challenged within groups to imagine the best possible “utopian” floor that would best allow residents to thrive within their new-found college lives. This challenged us to really evaluate and consider what is best for residents in every detail. While it may not be possible to create a perfect floor, this enabled us to consider each resident and to consider the unique differences that need to be considered, such as handicapped and gender unspecific. This project allowed us to be flexible in our decisions of the amount of residents to house, resident assistants to provide, and even elevators to construct. Ultimately, this project enabled us to completely change our floors to best suit not only our residents’ needs, but also our own needs, giving us the power to move the walls, merge the rooms, and enlarge the lobbies. While this may not be possible in real life, it sparked thoughts that challenge community on our floor and inspire methods to best nourish it.

While I feel that I am a flexible person, I feel that I am easy to compromise and negotiate with. A trait I aspire and also despise at times, I believe that I am an easy-going person who is always searching for ways to make everyone happy and to create the best environment and situation for each and every person. Sometimes, I forget about myself, a fact that I need to improve on, as I can be taken advantage of at times. Overall, though, I feel that I am on the correct path in achieving the right balance of flexibility and rigidity. I admire and respect people who have the skill of flexibility and hope that my residents see me as one who possesses this trait, for flexibility is a vital component in creating a close-knit community of residents that see you, not only as a firm ruler, but also as a fair friend and one who is always looking out for their best interests.

<- RA Class Week 2 | RA Class Week 4 ->