One of the biggest advantages of living in an on-campus residence hall is having an RA (or an ARA if you’re living in one of our University-owned apartments), a built-in peer advisor, while navigating life on the Forty. You can count on them to smile or wave at you in the hallway, remember your name by week two, and host engaging community events. However, an RA’s role also includes plenty of behind-the-scenes work, including conflict management, connecting residents to helpful resources and navigating emergency situations. Additionally, you’ll find them at your front desks to provide assistance when needed.
It’s the everyday gestures that make RAs even more valuable. They create study breaks during finals season and reach out when a resident needs support. These seemingly small moments build a sense of community that’s hard to replicate. They may inspire you to become an RA (or possibly an ARA) yourself, or they simply make your day-to-day college experience better.
RAs are also students navigating their own experience on the Forty Acres. As residents themselves, they relate to where you are at on your Longhorn journey. When living with us, you have more than just a room. You gain a community, including the support of your RA. Next time you see them, their smile and wave might mean a little bit more.