Kiss'Shonna Curtis

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Helping others

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A huge part of my role as a residential adviser was to help residents with a variety of things. During my time as a residential adviser. I have helped residents through relational issues, mental health crises, and facility problems. Though I am not equipped to help with every single problem that residents may encounter, I am expected to serve as a resource to find the places and people where residents can find the right answers and solutions. For example, if a resident is going through a mental health crisis, I am expected to listen and express empathy, and connect them with mental health resources on campus that are better equipped and trained to coach them through their problem. I am one piece of the larger helping network.

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Supervision

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Residential advisers are supervised by the residential directors. Every other week a RA has a one on one with their supervisor. During these one on one meetings, this is a time for the Ras to talk about what is happening in the community, ask questions about the role, talk through challenging situations and also be provided feedback on their performance. At the end of autumn quarter, we meet with our supervisors and receive formal evaluations. These evaluations can be really nerve wracking, but I have learned that a huge part of supervision in this role is receiving and providing feedback. I will receive feedback, but I also try to give feedback to my supervisors to create an open line of communication and establish a relationship where giving and receiving feedback is a norm and isn’t so uncomfortable or difficult.

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Listening

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During RA training, we talked and practiced extensively on how to actively listen. Though we are not expected to be therapists or counselors, it is crucial for residential advisors to have the skill of listening. Many of my residents will come to me for academic or relational advice, and If I am to serve as a resource for them, I need to know exactly what they are asking me for. Sometimes, it isn’t for advice or help at all. One of my residents expressed that she doesn’t have people in her life that enjoy having deep philosophical conversations, and she really appreciates me just listening to her and letting her talk.

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Conflict negotiation

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Another major part of the RA role is conflict negotiation. As residential advisers, we are often cslled upon by residents when they are having conflicts with their roommates that is hindering the quality of their housing experience. This can be difficult at times, because as someone that has to support each resident equally, you have to be sure not to choose sides. One time, a new resident moved into an apartment and didn’t have the same cleaning standards as the others in the apartment which angered the roommates that were living there prior. Though I had established a solid relationship with the residents who had lived there longer, I had to be sure to let them know that I was also there to support the new resident and wanted them to try and make the new resident feel at home.

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Power dynamics

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When I first received the job as an RA, I was nervous about living in an apartment with roommates who would also be my residents. I felt like there would be an uncomfortable power dynamic that would put a strain on our relationship and would prohibit me from establishing an authentic relationship with my roommates. However, I learned that the best way to navigate it was to be upfront about my role and responsibilities and also my hopes on how I wanted our relational dynamic to be like. This worked extremely well for me and I never had an issue with my roommates over power dynamics. We were able to maintain comfortable boundaries. But also establish an authentic friendship amongst each other.

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Looking Ahead

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​As I reflect on my Residential Advisor experiences, I am grateful to have had an experience that has helped me in becoming the communicator that I am today. I feel as if I am better equipped in connecting with a multitude of people with various personalities. I know that my experience being a residential advisor will help me once I enter another helping profession as a psychologist. As a psychologist I will employ some of the same competencies that I developed during my time as an RA.

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