All Work and No Play

Can't believe I haven't posted anything in 2 weeks. Guess that's what RA training and 2 move in days will do to me. So glad to have finally made it through all the craziness!

Campion Staff!

Being on the other side of RA training has really made me appreciate everyone who ever put on a training for me. I can remember how much I complained about how long training was and how I didn't want to be there. Being at this RA training, I have come to appreciate my own RA training. For one, we started training at 8:30am at the latest for breakfast and often ended around 9pm. Even though there were many breaks throughout the days, all my complaining about a 9-5 training seemed unnecessary now. Being someone who helps with training has taught me a lot about the importance of different aspects of training. RA training was quite the experience for me and I really appreciate my RAs working so hard and getting through it. At one point I was very nervous about getting to know the 21 RAs on my staff, but after the last two and a half weeks together I believe I've been doing a great job.

Our retreat was the perfect time for me to form great relationships with my RAs. Like many retreats, we had many opportunities to share with one another about aspects of our lives. I was able to learn about and learn from my RAs. We had time to talk about their personal lives and I shared things about my undergrad experience with them. We also had many chances to just spend time together doing whatever we wanted. 

After two and a half weeks of training and a mini move in day, our big day had arrived! I was super nervous for move in day and if I had planned everything right. I worked very hard on a schedule for the RAs and where they would work for the day. Organizing my 21 RAs, 42 volunteers, and 3 different sports teams was very scary and I was worried that something would go wrong all day, but everything went smoothly. We moved in about 400 residents and had very minimal issues. It was a successful day!! 

Lobby decorations

Lobby decorations

Me and 2 RAs on move in day!

Now that I have made it through my training, RA training, and move in day I am ready to begin the work of the year. My first week is very full with departmental meetings and 7 one-on-one meetings with RAs. Not to mention school starts on Wednesday! It's about time I go back to school considering I have been off since May, over 4 months!! I am excited to have homework and reading, but I know I won't feel that way by next week. It's time to get to work both in and out of the classroom!!

Things Just Got Real

The last week was full of new experiences! I've met a lot of new people and gone to some new places. It has been fun and tiring at the same time. My life in Seattle has really kicked into gear!

Skyline

Last Sunday, I was able to go to church which is very exciting and important to me. I was glad to have found a church to go to so quickly after moving here. I had an amazing time there and look forward to going back. Tuesday was my prep day for the RA training. I had to finish some things so I could be completely ready when my RAs arrived on Thursday.

RA gifts

Notebook, pen, and popcorn,

In the midst of getting ready for RA training I had to give up 3 days to go to graduate assistantship orientation. At GA orientation, I was finally able to meet other first year students in my program. On the first day, Wednesday, we did some team building in the morning. Can't be in student affairs without starting the day off with team building. We then got a chance to go a lunch for the entire Student Development Division. It was a nice chance to meet many people and see which departments I may be interested in for the future.
Thursday was the first day of RA training and the second day of GA orientation so things got a little busy. I had to spread my time between the two. I had to be at two different sections of RA training to introduce myself to the RAs. GA orientation focused on multicultural competence that day. Basically we did some deep sharing and talked about our identities.
After a long day of deep sharing and talking about my identity, all I wanted to do was sleep but that wasn't possible. I had my first staff time (in hall) from 7 to 9 that evening so there was no time to sleep. All this time I had been thinking about what it would be like to have a staff with 21 RAs, and many of my thoughts were on track. 21 RAs is a lot of energy in one room and makes conversations very long. It also means lots of people to get to know and try to blend together into one staff identity. Thursday was very eye opening in what I need to do to be sure all 21 people are heard and feel comfortable.
Friday was the last day of GA orientation which encompassed learning about Jesuit education and how our jobs work. The first part of the day were things I've learned during my four years at USF, but the second half of the day was very informative and helpful. Again I was able to spend lots of time with other first years which helped me form some beginning relationships. I'm glad to have spent 3 days with people who will be in my classes and who I will depend on during these next two years. I ended the day with staff time with my Campion staff. We learned a little more about each other and just spent some good time together. It was a great ending to my week.

I love this bow!

This past week gave me a glimpse into what the future will be like. I will likely spend my days with a mixture of people from cohort and some of my RAs. I am learning about what it takes to interact with my RAs in a way that lets me supervise them and learn about them. I am also ready to try and build relationships with people in my cohort. As an extrovert, I like to surround myself with a strong community of people and at this time I haven't found that community. So far my journey here has led me to really think about myself and the type of person I am. Everyday I seem to discover something new about myself or think of ways to improve something. For now I am looking forward to getting to know my staff, school starting, and a visit from my friends.