How to Have a Good Relationship with Your RA

Your RA doesn’t have to be the “Fun-hater”! Here’s some ways that you can have a perfectly good relationship with your RA without being a brownnoser (but I’m not guaranteeing that these are “get out of jail free” tips, either!)

1. Go to programs

Have you hugged your RA today? (image via Cafepress.com)

RA’s don’t send out emails, make posters, put up flyers and pester residents endlessly about programs for no reason. They will buy food to entice residents to come to programs. If you, as their resident, come to a program, they will be extremely grateful and see you as a caring person who took the time to come and eat some pizza while letting them give you flyers on such-and-such awareness. Usually, you learn something new in an interesting way with free food. What’s not to love?

2. Don’t submit things last minute

Roommate agreements and room inventory forms and one-on-ones…oh my! RA’s are required to collect certain documents from you, and if you turn it in late, that just makes their lives much more difficult. Now they have to take time out their personal schedule and track you down just to get your form. By submitting things before the deadline, you show your RA that you are responsible.

3. Follow policies

This one should be a no-brainer, since you signed a form agreeing to follow policies. This means no alcohol, usually, especially if you’re underage, and certainly no drugs. This also includes quiet hours. RA’s don’t like telling people to quiet down. Your RA doesn’t enjoy documenting you any more than you enjoy getting documented, so prevent the situation from ever happening by just not violating policy.

Image via dormdelicious.com

4. Respect your RA

If there’s one thing that RA’s hate dealing with, it’s disrespectful people. RA’s on Duty have to stay in the building and do rounds, which are bad enough as it is. If you backtalk, sass or insult them, they will mark you as trouble, which can backfire on you later in many different ways. If your RA calls a meeting, attend it. Your RA will respect you if you respect them back.

5. Talk to them

An RA is a person, and more importantly, they’re a student just like you. They are hired to build community on your floor and to enforce policies, but they are human. Take some time to say hello to them at the desk or when they’re in their room. They really do care about you. When they can put a face and a personality to your name, they will enjoy your company much more.

Ultimately, your RA is a responsible student who cares about making your residential experience as great as it can be, and they chose to do what they do. By respecting them, the building policies, and making sure to build a healthy relationship with your RA, your year will go smoothly.