Adapt to Residence Hall Life with Your Resident Assistant
For most first year college students, move-in marks their first time living in a residence hall, an experience that comes with a specific set of advantages and learning curves. If you’re not used to doing your own laundry or living with a roommate, you might want to check in with those who can help ease this transition: your resident assistants or RA’s. Resident assistants are returning students who live in the residence halls and help ensure that their residents are thriving by planning hall events, running roommate mediations, and serving as liaisons to help students with anything they might need. Below we caught up with two veteran resident assistants—Rebecca Pennington and Julia Rayburg—to gather some insider tips about your introductory res hall experience—
“What are three must-have items I need for my dorm room?”
Rebecca Pennington: A coffee maker—save money and make your own coffee! A Brita filter—hydration is key and will make your life so much easier. 3. A fan—the dorms and apartments are always so hot; a fan is essential to sleep and stay cool.
Julia Rayburg: Bring a comfortable blanket, command strips to safely hang your favorite art or pictures, and your favorite comfort food/object.
“I’ve never lived away from home before. Do you have recommendations for how to navigate responsibilities like grocery shopping and doing laundry alongside my schoolwork?”
RP: I always set a time aside in my schedule for these items. It’s important to take breaks from schoolwork and extracurricular activities. For me, I usually take Sunday morning off. I clean my apartment, do laundry, and then go grocery shopping before doing any schoolwork. It’s better to take care of yourself than wear yourself out doing schoolwork all the time.
JR: Talk to your RA. Since we are all returning students, we may know our way around the area and have great recommendations for grocery stores, shopping in general, and even things to do on and off campus. For laundry, we are very fortunate to have machines in each building, so go ahead and sign-up for whichever available slot is convenient for you; don’t forget to bring detergent plus whatever you may need. Ask your RA about schoolwork/life balance and see if they can share how they manage their time. These are really common and good questions so please do not be afraid to ask. Chances are, someone else has the same question, too.
“What strategies do you recommend for getting along with my roommate(s)?”
RP: Communication is the most important thing when getting along with roommates. If something is bothering you or you have a conflict with your roommate, just talk to them about it first. I often see roommates having issues with one another, but one roommate isn’t even aware of the problem. Talk to them first and be considerate of each other’s space. Living with someone else is a give and take relationship. If there is still an issue after you talk to them, don’t be afraid to reach out to your RA.
JR: Being open and honest with each other is vital since you will be sharing a living space. I personally would rather have a conversation and figure things out than be uncomfortable in my own room because I avoided talking to my roommate. Remember the common interests that brought you together in the first place. And don’t forget, it is totally normal to want to have time for yourself. Do not feel pressured to spend all of your time together. Giving each other some time and space alone in your room is a great way to decompress.
“I feel strange using a communal bathroom. Do you have any tips for making it feel more homey?”
RP: Make sure you get a good shower caddy that holds all your items. Get products that you use at home and enjoy. Find a time that works for you, and you’ll notice the bathroom isn’t heavily used. It’s nice when there are less people trying to get ready at the same time. Do things like your hair and make-up in your room; it is considerate to limit your bathroom time. Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed about showering or getting ready. Do what you need to do, and don’t worry about anyone else.
JR: Using a communal bathroom can be a big change. When I lived in the residence halls, I got a little makeup bag and put things like my toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, and anything else I might need inside. This way you have everything you need with you and you don’t have to worry about leaving anything in the bathroom. Test out the showers available and see which is your favorite. During my first year on campus in Woodland, one of the showers had really great water pressure and was a little bigger, so I always used that one. Once you get used to sharing the bathroom with your neighbors and find what you like, you will quickly get used to it. And don’t forget your shower shoes!
“Do you have any tips for meeting people and making friends during my first semester?”
RP: Get involved on campus—join a club or a study group. Make yourself present! It’s hard to make friends if you lock yourself in your room all day. Go study outside or in the library. You will learn that you often make friends that do the same activities or are in the same classes as you. Don’t be afraid to be the first person to reach out. Everyone is trying to make friends, sometimes just a small conversation can start a long-lasting friendship. Don’t limit yourself. Find different groups of friends. Your first year is the best time to meet new people and immerse yourself in different activities and groups.
JR: Go to the events that you keep getting emails and notifications about. You might find another person who is also looking to meet new people. Get to know your neighbors if you live on campus because chances are, you will see each other a lot. Same with classmates—you will see a lot of the same people in your program so talking to them in class is a great start. Check out the Happenings section of MyChatham to find some campus events that sound fun.
“One last piece of advice?”
RP: Never be afraid to reach out to staff or peers for help. Everyone here is willing and excited to help students. Don’t let yourself get behind in academics or taking care of yourself. It’s not weak to reach out; it shows your dedication and willingness to grow. Take advantage of the city and the area Chatham is in. There are so many great places in Pittsburgh to visit and areas in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Oakland that you can either walk or take the bus too. Find a friend and go try a new café. Take yourself on shopping spree. Don’t limit yourself to staying on campus. Be yourself or become the person you’ve always wanted to be. College is a great time to start fresh or blossom as a person. Make new friends, start doing different things, make mistakes—it’s all okay.
JR: I know we all say it, but seriously, talk to your RA. I love getting to know my residents and genuinely look forward to talking to them when I see them. Remember, we are students too and may have once been in your shoes. We are here and ready to help. Nothing you ask us is a bad question, I really mean that! We have a lot of resources and are in this role because we want to make sure that you are comfortable and getting the most out of your college experience.
Thank you, Rebecca and Julia! Have more burning back-to-school questions? Check out our Pulse@ChathamU Back-to-School site which offers curated information, resources, and stories for everyone in our campus community.