RA Expectations

What do you think are the most unrealistic expectations placed on Ras by students/residents? Administrators? Why do you think they expect those things, and how will you manage those expectations if chosen to be an RA?

As far as expectations from students go, there are the thoughts that the students could either be best friends with the RA's or the worst enemy. I remember coming into Chatham with the fear that my RA would not like me and in turn, make life difficult for me. Instead, I was friends with her. I fear, however, that if I become an RA that friends would try to take advantage of me through me being an RA and try to get me to bend the rules to make life easier for them. As far as administrators, I don't have much of an idea on how things would go for myself. I think they would like me to balance all of my plates at all time, academics, programming and keeping the residents happy. I hope to be up to this challenge, but it's a big fear of mine.

Men v. Women Leadership Styles

Gender changes the way teaching or leading happens. When it is a group of women alone, as far as I've noticed, there is a sort of informality in the discussion, women tend to relax more often when surrounded by just other women. Contrary to this, when men are involved in the discussion, women feel the need to compete to be equal and/or better than the men. It tends to make a more heated discussion because of the competition between the opposite genders. It's not always this way, but as far as I've witnessed, it is.
As far as variating teaching styles go, there is a difference in how you teach to men and women and how you teach to just women. As previously mentioned, there is a sense of informality and also a sense of comfort than is not there with a co-ed class.

Dorm Life 101

My first experience in a res hall was here at Chatham. It was, to say the least, intimidating. I did a lot of talking out of my ass. I look back now and think that all those people that I spent my time talking to probably think I'm some sort of raving lunatic. In the beginning, I noticed that everyone waved to one another, making eye contact and trying to befriend everyone. A college freshman told me during my senior year of high school that I would meet people and hang out with them, the group might change and there might be additions or people leaving, but suddenly, you'd find yourself with a good group of people to spend your time with. And to be honest with you, I've done just that. I had some rough spots, but now, I'm satisfied with who I'm friends with, where I'm living and what I'm doing.