<p>These are really interesting comments. I like hearing other people’s opinions of the job because to be honest, being an RA is NOT for everyone. As far as RA’s opinions on their own jobs, some really enjoy it, while some…well it wasn’t really what they expected. You go into the job KNOWING what you’re getting into, so I don’t really feel that there’s any room for complaint, especially when there are scores of people who would love to have this job.</p>
<p>In my first year as an RA, I cleaned up bodily fluids two times the entire year. There were some RAs who had been in the job longer than I had who had never had to experience that. Everyone’s experience is different, overall. As far as programs go? Brackenridge, Roberts, and Prather are smaller dorms with upperclassmen students that are not necessarily interested in attending programming. It’s a quieter dorm. In Jester, there are more people that show up to events and we’ve had up to 40 attend events before, perhaps even more, it really all depends on the event that’s being put on. Oh and the reason why there are so many racial/cultural diversity programs is because Housing and Food gives us a program planner at the beginning of the year with specific targets that we have to hit with programs. Cultural/diversity is one of those targets.Other dorms like Moore-Hill and Kinsolving have tighter knit communities, therefore they have more attendance at their programs and Jester East and West are large so of course they have good attendance.</p>
<p>The waking up at random times? That has not happened to me before but has to some of my co-workers. It’s all chance really. And usually, the RA on call is the one to handle things like that, not every single RA. You’d also be super surprised how much help RAs have provided to other students. To those looking from outside, it may seem as if we’re not doing that much, but you’d be very surprised. A couple of my coworkers from last year helped turn their floors from quiet and antisocial, to where everyone on the floor knew each other and became friends. </p>
<p>Eh, like I said before, the experience is different with every RA and every dorm. I’ve just been one of the fortunate ones who’s had a great experience and hasn’t had the job hinder my life too much. And don’t be turned off by the fact that you have “responsibilities” as an RA. @texchick13 I’m really glad that you seem excited about the job! I’ll be seeing you around :D</p>