hello vonnie
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One Nice Bug Per Day
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
Not today Justin
DEAR READER
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noise dept.
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@lifeofasixthra
Intersectionality described in 4 minutes.
Utterly brilliant. Just…goosebumps…
Damn. I don’t even have the words.
LGBT and Black oppression y’all….
This will take 4 minutes of your life and make you a better person
and then there are those of us who are both black and queer.
and then we fight for our right to speak for both sides.
I think I will stop here for now. I will eventually update this more as I have more time.
I hope you found my post useful and enjoyed reading what I wrote.
If you want to apply to become an RA, I suggest you at least try! No harm can come from trying for something. I know that if I did not apply, I wouldn't have had these amazing experiences and I really wouldn't know where I would be right now.
Anyways the application is here:
http://sixth.ucsd.edu/residential-life/residential-advisors/application.html
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, and I'll gladly answer you. If you tell me you want me to post more about my experiences or more specifics, then I'll gladly upload more as it will give me more motivation to continue this blog.
But for now, I must go, as Winter quarter has started and I need to get back into the groove.
Welcome week and Move in
Move in day. The chaos of it all.
Not much more I can say about it. It just was utter chaos. haha. It was nice being alone on campus, and I was afraid how my residents would think of me when they first met me, but things turned out pretty well.
I have about 10-15 1st years in my building and they are all pretty awesome. Not gonna go much into detail anymore but I will link a video to this post. It is the Unolympics Video which Sixth College once again won!!! All thanks to the hard work of our 1st years and awesome choreography of a certain group of RAs.
RA Training
After we got back on campus, we officially start All campus training. 'Most' of the other college finally arrived at the Revelle Apartments and every morning after breakfast at Plaza, we all head over to the Great Hall for presentations and stuff.
Different groups on campus come in, talk about what they do and stuff. More training stuff. If you apply to become an RA this year, you also will have to go through it. At one point, everyone goes outside and we do a step in step out exercise about identity and privilege stuff.
Another part of the training involved making a program with the group you are assigned to(everyone is assigned to a group, each group has 1 person from each college, besides Warren because they did something unconventional and did not want to work with the other colleges). We discussed some scenarios with our facilitator and also created a potential mock program. And that was All Campus training.
The rest of training involved sitting in a room in Price center each day, getting some more presentations from different groups on campus. It is useful information, but hard to retain everything. But that basically is training, it isn't that bad but after three straight weeks of it, you get burnt out and then students start moving in.
Sixth College Retreat
Shortly after arriving back to Campus, we were off on a road trip up to Big Bear, for the Sixth College RA Retreat. It basically was a camping trip, but inside cabins. It was a nice area and is one of the most powerful and memorable experiences of my life.
I think we stayed there for three days and two nights. The first day, we arrived in the afternoon and did small exercises like choosing words that describe you, and building a structure as a group. Typical stuff to learn about each other. Afterwards, we played a game of Mafia with 27 people, which was a very long game.... Afterwards I talked to the people in the same cabin as me and played a short game of monopoly on a iPad.
Next morning, we did team building exercises. Small games to learn to work together. Our group got split into two groups, the Macaroni and the Cheese. I was part of the Macaroni group, which is insignificant to mention, but I just did. Our instructor was not very 'helpful' and I felt our experience could of been better, but that is in the past. We did some rope knot untying exercise and crossing the lava river exercise thing. Not that fun and I am pretty sure everyone in my group agreed. Anyways, at the end, we all were given these bracelets to show our support for each other which was nice. And then we had to work together as a team to scale this '15?' foot tall wall, and that was the activities for the day.
(Forgot to mention that we also were told to make a timeline of significant moments which have had an impact in our lives)
In the evening, we all shared our timelines, this was one of the most POWERFUL moments of the retreat and most people opened up about their experiences. I am not going into detail for this because it is confidential. I will however summarize my stories, which I do believe are the reasons they think I am such a strong person. I have had to deal with in my past, which included a verbally abusive family, surviving a severe car crash during my first year in college, and my chronic depression. Yea... I've been through some shit. But that basically was the end of the night
Next day, we actually did some actual learning of inclusiveness and diversity and stuff. We talked about privileges we had and how it affects our views. The person I had for a partner came from the exact opposite situation and I did, which helped open both our eyes, so it was a nice thing to see. Near the end of the final day, we were all told to sit in a circle facing outward. Then we had people stand up, and they had to tap the shoulder of the person who they thought the phrase which was said described. My shoulder was tapped many and multiple times, and I cried. This was the second most powerful time for my and how I felt these people actually cared about me and they are now my Family.
There was a bond created between all of us just in these few short days. A few days ago, we barely knew each other, but I feel like I can trust these people and I know they will have my back if I ever need anything. This is one of the reasons I am so glad I applied to become an RA. Even though the experience had just started at this time, it forever changed my life.
After Summer, "Before" Training
Over the Summer, we are assigned Summer reading to educate ourselves on some social issues and inclusiveness. Pretty basic stuff and the readings were pretty interesting... to an extent. Homework is homework.
Anyways, For Sixth College, our training starts pretty early. I believe we started on August 25, 2012, which is almost a month before actual school starts. All the other colleges don't start until one week later, and I believe Warren college, it was two weeks? or just before All-campus training. Even though it was earlier, it was nice to get to know my fellow co-workers and get to spend some bonding time together.
This past year, all of the RA/HA's had to spend about two/three weeks in the Revelle Fleet Apartments. It really didn't make any sense, because All-campus training was all the way in ERC's Great Hall which is the opposite side of campus. But it was nice getting to live with the other RA's in a closer environment.
The first thing we did as a group was go to the Zoo together. So two giant vans were rented out and all 25 RA's and the Resdean all set out to the San Diego Zoo on a beautiful Sunday. At the zoo, we split up into groups because 25 people in a large group just wouldn't do. It was a good experience and good way to start off the journey to the job together. Two days later, we were off to the Sixth College RA retreat.
Willing of the Halls
The last post was just my safeguard to make sure I cover the questions I needed to cover, but let's get back to my personal experience.
Not much happened after accepting the position. However, there was one night where all the new hires and current RA's meet up for something called the Willing of the Halls.
This is when the current RA's prepare presents and legacy items to the new hires who would succeed them. It would a cool experience I guess, but there wasn't much history to my current building so I can't say much about it.
But I got some pink/black owl mug and some air freshener reed thing. Not the greatest gift, but it's okay. Hopefully I can prepare better for my successor and make some awesome present for them as well as start a legacy item.
Questions and Answers
1) What you have learned as an RA so far; 2) With what do you still struggle in the RA position and how do you plan to improve in these areas?; 3) What makes you stand out as an applicant for the returner position?; and, 4) How will you assist new hires and apply lessons learned from this experience if you are hired as returning RA?
1) As an RA, I have learned to become a more inclusive person. I know that this is such a trite thing to say, but I believe it is true. We undergo so much training before school starts on diversity and how to be more inclusive. We have inclusive language training, we get placed in scenarios and must show how to deal with it, and even though I haven't been a RA for that long, I feel like a different person. I guess it just opens my eyes when I am put in a scenario where 'injustice' occurs. I now correct my friends or tell them that i am uncomfortable when they say a racist joke. It no longer sits well with me when something like that happens.
2) If you know me, I am not one of the most vocal people. I tend to be more reserved and quiet. This might be because from the personal experience in my past, I could not deal with arguing and yelling, so I just laid low and kept my voice to myself. Ever since getting this job, I knew that I cannot do that anymore, because I have to interact and help the residents in need. So I guess I need to work on bringing my voice more into decisions. I plan to improve myself more for the rest of this year, and my first step would be to volunteer to become a point person for the Lunar New Year event coming up in Sixth college. I will take more responsibility and make sure everything goes smoothly, which in turn will help me bring my voice.
3) I stand out as a potential returner because I come from a background most people do not regularly hear about. I believe my stories are very different from most applicants and it will help broaden their horizon. Most people do not hear about verbal abuse, or lower income situations, but most of all, someone who suffers from chronic depression. My depression has been a huge factor in my life, but if I don't mention that I am depressed, most people would not believe it since I seem like such a strong person. It will show that depression can affect everyone and that the signs aren't always so easy to see.
4) The RA position is such a rewarding experience and I would love to help new hires become integrated into this family. I know that I wouldn't have enjoyed my time on this team without the RA returners this year, such as Danielle. Hopefully I can become a resource for the new hires and become someone who they can go to if they have question about the job or just someone to talk to. Currently, I am still growing as a person and a RA, so I cannot accurately answer this question. I still am not fully knowledgeable, but hopefully this will change as time goes on.
Questions
So This was a project set up for an application to become a returning RA, so before I continue with the journey the next post will be used to answer some of the questions which were given.
1) What you have learned as an RA so far; 2) With what do you still struggle in the RA position and how do you plan to improve in these areas?; 3) What makes you stand out as an applicant for the returner position?; and, 4) How will you assist new hires and apply lessons learned from this experience if you are hired as returning RA?
The Letter and Decision
Sometime in March, I received the fate letter of decision. As usual, I was nervous opening something that can change my life. So I was in my room, opening the letter and the decision was....
"We are offering you an alternate spot. If a spot opens up, there is chance you will become an Residential Assistant"
It went something like that. I do not remember word for word. But yes, I was not given a definite position, which was a bummer at first, but I wasn't that sad. If you don't have high expectations, you won't fall as hard.
But approximately a month later, I received an email from one of the Assistant Resdeans, which said that a spot had opened up and I was offered the position. I was ecstatic. I really was not expecting a spot to open, so I quickly accepted the position.
And this is how I was offered the position of Residential Assistant at Sixth College in UCSD. It is not the most glamourous of stories, but it is mine.
Individual Interview
A few weeks after the group interview, I received an email saying I reached the next stage, the individual interview. I was nervous but excited because I didn't believe I would make it through. Anyways, the day of the interview, I dressed up all nice, like you are suppose to for any interview. The interview was in front of the Res dean and the two assistant Res deans. They asked standard questions to get to know me. The details are kind of blurry, but questions ranged from, how I would fit into the team to diversity.
So I got through the interview. I felt relief that it was finally over and the only stage left was the acceptance or rejection.
The Group Interview
The next part was group interviews. After submitting my application, I was informed to apply for one of the group interviews, so you go into the ResLife office and sign up for one of two dates. I signed up for the one on Saturday Morning.
When arriving, there are many chairs set up in a circle and people just randomly sit down where they wanted. The Resident Dean and Assistant ResDeans introduced themselves and told us our first activity. It was to take a paper bag, draw/write things that describe you and in the end, do an ONE minute(people went over and there was a buzzer) introduction of yourself. I don’t remember what words I described myself as but the one thing I remember is drawing a turtle.
After decorating, people went in a circle introducing themselves. Personally, I was shaking like I was in a blizzard, super nervous. When it was my turn, I stood up, hands still shaking and introduced myself. I mentioned the turtle, and if I remember correctly, I said “I drew a turtle because I have a hard exterior, but once you get to know me, I am pretty soft.” When I sat back down, my friend sitting next to me said “You were shaking so much!” I never was good with crowds and presenting in front of large groups was something I wanted to improve on. Hence, apply for this position.
In the next part of the interview, we were separated into groups of 4-5 and were given scenarios of possible situations one might have to deal with on the job such as bullying, roommate problem, hate speech, and such. Afterwords, the entire group reconvenes and discusses. Pretty typical stuff. I am not very talkative, so I never spoke up, which might have been a downfall because it seemed like I would not be able to ‘handle’ the job as I was quiet.
The final part of the interview, we were given a list of different scenarios and were to rank how ‘bad’ each one was. ALL of the scenarios were horrible, so it was a matter of how one’s morals affect ones judgement. I think the point of this exercise isn’t about being right, but how one can back up one’s argument as well as come to a consensus as a group. My group had small disputes here and there, but in the end, we all agreed, which was a good thing. (This part of the interview was the most fun personally, and it just happens that two people in my group are now my fellow RA’s =])
And this concluded the group interviews for me. I learned that the group interview themselves are not used to show how amazing one person is, but how well one can work in a group situation. So while you might think that you are not fit because you are different in an aspect, they might want YOU because you are different.
Sixth College does not go for the cookie cutter ‘perfect’ RA who excels in every aspect. They hire people who they think would be beneficial to the Sixth family. I never thought that I would have been offered the individual interview, but I was, and I am glad.
Application Process
So I have decided that I wanted to apply to become a Residential Assistant. It was now for the next step, Applications. The applications to apply to become an RA were all online. It consisted of basic contact information, several short answer questions, and two personal recommendations, one from an academic personnel(an RA, professor, advisor) and one from someone personal(friend, family, boss, etc). The good thing about the application is that all the colleges(besides Muir) used the same application, so you just check one box and you can apply for all of them. (This has changed to now exclude Warren college as well, Muir and Warren have separate applications).
So I asked my apartmentmate RA Austin for a recommendation and my boss while I was working at the Sunshine Market for recommendations and they gladly wrote them . I applied for two 'colleges', Sixth College and the Village, which I received Group Interviews for both. You choose which interview day you want to attend and well, attend it. haha. Simple as that.
Anyways, you turn in your application online before the deadline, and if the application is complete, you most likely will get into the next phase, which is the Group Interview.
On a side note:
The application page for this year is at :
http://sixth.ucsd.edu/residential-life/residential-advisors/application.html
just follow the link and follow the instructions. Good luck if you are applying.
Sparks of Interest.
So let's begin this journey with how I first became interested in the position. I am originally a Muir student at UCSD. During my first year, I felt out of place in my community because I did not mess well with the environment I was placed in. The way the living situation was set up just did not mesh well with me. This is the reason I tend to visit my friend Christine, all the way across campus in Sixth College.
Christine just happened to live with in RA, and through this, I was able to familiarize myself with the position through stories and knowing the responsibilities one must do. And because of this, I met Austin, another RA, who asked me to live in his apartment for my second year at UCSD. I accepted.
I am not really sure, but one day Austin asked me to apply to become an RA. In my mind, I thought I would be the last person who would be a 'good' RA, but I decided to apply because there is no harm in trying. And even though random, this is the reason I applied for the position of an RA.
Welcome
Hello, my name is Jacky Chan and I am currently a first time RA for UCSD's Sixth college. For our returner's RA application, we were told to address our RA journey so far through social media, and this is why I am here. I will try to recap the memories of the past quarter and future events to the best of my ability.
Feel free to ask any questions you have and I'll answer to the best of my ability.
