Current Students Tell All

Our first hand experience as current students at the Dub! #futureseahawks #transfertoteal www.uncw.edu/admissions

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Losing a pet…

I remember being five years old and stopping by in the middle of the road in Puerto Rico to check out the doggies people were selling. I didn’t think my parents were actually going to buy one, but a few moments later, a cute little Miniature Pinscher quickly became ours, and we decided to name him Twinkle. My sister and I thought that was too girly, so we changed his name to Twinkey (don’t judge we were only 5 and 6 years old haha). A few weeks later, my mom was picking my sister and I up from day care, and as we opened up the car door, we saw a cute, little plush toy. We suddenly realized the head was moving, and found out it was actually another pup! My mom’s boss gifted her an adorable little Poodle, who we later named Oreo. As the years passed by, he became fully blind, but we still loved him unconditionally. They were my sister and I’s best friends. We grew up with them. They moved everywhere with us, from Puerto Rico, to Florida, to North Carolina. Like I mentioned earlier, I was only five when they first came into my life, and fifteen years later, I still had them. They were the biggest blessing to our family.

This past summer, my parents, sister, and I decided to take a trip back to Puerto Rico to see our family since it had been so long. Both Oreo and Twinkey were sick, but we were sure to care for them until they were healthy again before leaving them at their doggy hotel. The day before our trip, we decided to take them on a ride around town. When they were younger, they used to love riding in the car, so we figured since we were going to be out for so long that we should give them a special day before we left. While we were on our trip, we received daily calls from the vet at the hotel caring for them to let us know how they were doing. A few days before our trip was over, my parents received the most devastating news. None of us saw it coming. They were both gone. My heart shattered into a trillion little pieces. They were my whole world. Who was I going to run to when I went home for the weekends and play outside with for hours? Who was I going to get sweet, soft hugs from when I was feeling down? They were my best friends, and now they’re gone. I never saw this day coming, and I was in no way prepared for it. I miss them more than anything, but I know they are now resting peacefully over the rainbow bridge waiting for me. I can’t wait to see them again! I’ll love my sweet Oreo and Twinkey forever and always, and I’m thankful for the best fifteen years I got with them.

-Brigiett

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Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s almost turkey day! When you are starting to lose motivation, a break is all you need! I cannot wait to go home and see my family. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, mostly because of the food! I can say I love to eat, I love the turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry, mac and cheese, apple pie, and so much more! I am from an Italian family so my Thanksgivings are always like a five course meal. My grandma cooks everything and by the end I’m stuffed and never feel like moving, yet you always find a way to eat dessert. Something that I have found so cool about UNCW is that we have an annual Thanksgiving celebration - Wagsgiving! It’s a big feast for the students, faculty and staff here on campus. It has been a tradition here to set up a feast the Thursday before Thanksgiving when students are still on campus. 

UNCW is more than just a college campus, it’s a community where they strive to create events that everyone will love. I am excited to go eat all my favorite foods and share time with my friend here on campus before I get to go home and do it all over again! I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving; I know I will!

-Morgan

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Feel the Teal!!!

Who doesn’t love a great deal?! Especially when it’s at your college bookstore! Since deciding to attend school here at UNCW, I have discovered the Barnes and Noble College Bookstore app for smartphones. After you follow a few quick and easy steps entering your college/university information, you’re set to go! This app allows you to shop your bookstore online, order textbooks, and also gives you sweet promotion codes and updates! You can use the promotional codes online or in-store. I have also received updates when in-store clearance becomes half priced for a day, when sweatpants and sweatshirts are discounted, and even when there is $1 coffee at our Dub City Brew coffee shop! This app also provides neat information on beating procrastination, developing good study habits, and more!

P.S. This could be useful for holiday shopping :-) 

-Courtney

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Trask Trek/ Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness is one of UNCW’s many traditions. It is the day that our basketball teams can begin practicing for the season. It is like a big pep-rally for our school.

Trask Trek is something that UNCW’s Residence Hall Association came up with to help promote more participation from students. Since I am on Area Council, I was a part of planning a mini pep-rally for my area; Seahawk Crossing. It took a lot of work and I made tons of posters to encourage people to come. I was told that last year only eight people from Crossing came to Trask Trek, which was very discouraging. We all knew that we had to at least beat eight people. We already ordered twelve pizzas and over 200 glow sticks. I went door to door in all four Crossing buildings telling people about our event and that they should come hang out and eat pizza. We had almost thirty people come!! We were so happy for such an amazing turnout!!

The best part of the whole night was the new friend that I made. One of the people that I recruited from their room came down for our event (even though it was raining). At first, she was sitting by herself; I couldn’t really do anything about it at the time because I was too busy running our event and making sure everything went smoothly. Once we starting walking to the other areas the girl, Sarah, moved up to the front with me and the other people from my area council. At first she was really quiet, so I tried to engage her into our conversations. When we finally made it to Trask Coliseum, we all sat together. We all got along great and had a really fun time. We made it our mission to all get a t-shirt to remember such a fun night. I ended that night will lots of fun memories, a t-shirt, and a new friend.

-Carly

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The start to the rest of our lives

Transferring to a new school can be both exciting as well as unnerving. Meeting new people, getting involved in new activities as well as maintaining a GPA are all factors we consider when enrolling in college.  I would like to share an experience I have had this semester, it being my first semester at UNCW that has reassured me I am in the right place.

While I am a transfer student, I have previously received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.  I certainly appreciate the field of public health, but have come to realize I have a stronger passion for fitness and exercise, leading me to enroll at UNCW for another degree in Exercise Science.

At my previous university I came across professors I admired and trusted but it wasn’t until I began here that I would meet a professor that cared as much about my future as I do.  

Conveniently this professor teaches a core class for my major so he understands the paths his students want to take.  The first class I had with him he didn’t bother to tell us about the course. Instead he spent 45 minutes explaining all the avenues and opportunities that can be explored as an exercise science major.  I immediately thought to myself that my classmates and I aren’t just students to him, but we are the future.  This professor shows continuous passion and enthusiasm for what he is teaching and never lacks encouragement towards his students.  

In the 15 years I have been in school, I have never been so excited to go to class like I am with this one.  I do believe I am in the right place.  Had I not chosen to go back to school I never would have met a professor as impactful as this one.  I have also become very good friends with my classmates.  We enjoy studying as well as performing vigorous labs together, all with the exceptional support of our professor.  

-Skylar

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Hope Spot Hatteras

Hey Guys!

I know you all have been dying for an update on UNCW’s Plastic Ocean Project’s effort, so here it is: WE DID IT! Hatteras is officially recognized as a Hope Spot! This is a great accomplishment for POP and the entire community. Huge thank you to Mission Blue and all of their efforts to help save our oceans. For more information check out their website: https://www.mission-blue.org/2016/09/hope-spot-hatteras-lessons-learned/

Keep up the good work Ocean Warriors!

-Sam

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Valuable Experiences in Education

Watson College of Education. It is what I consider the jewel of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. However, it is not just the beauty of the Education Building that I love. Watson College of Education provides phenomenal programs that prepare pre-service teachers for their careers. The opportunity for field experiences in the classroom is my favorite aspect of the programs provided through Watson. Since entering the Watson College of Education, I have been in at least one classroom each semester. This experience, within the middle schools I have been placed in, has been the best of my life. I know without a doubt that teaching middle school is what I was born to do because with each day I go out into the schools, my love for teaching grows even stronger. Watson has pushed me so much further than I ever thought possible and it has made a world of difference in the way I interact with students

This semester I have been placed in two middle schools in the New Hanover County School system. The amount of interaction I have to make with students this semester has gone from small group tutoring to teaching an entire class. Knowing that I had to stand in front of twenty-five students and teach them was absolutely nerve wracking! However, as soon as I walked through the doors of each classroom I felt at ease and it has been such an amazing experience to see how students react to my instruction. While each placement is for a different subject, I have begun to see how much of a difference good instruction can make.

 The teachers I have been placed with have been extremely helpful and have made this experience even more positive. The input that they have provided along with the instruction I have received from my classes has given me the strategies and confidence I need to be able to successfully teach my future students. All in all, field experiences are a valuable aspect of the experiences provided through Watson College of Education. If you are interested in pursuing a degree in education, I highly recommend making the absolute most of your field experiences!

-Bailey

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On-Campus Employment

Hey everyone, it’s Ashton! I just wanted to give you a little more information on a hot topic around our campus, on-campus jobs! Most people, when they are coming into a new school, are looking for all the things they consider necessities. You look for the best gas station, grocery store, hair salon, etc. For some people, they include a job in those necessities. You can look for off-campus or on-campus jobs, but I’m a bit partial to the on-campus route. I currently work 3 on-campus jobs at UNCW. I am a UNI 201: Transfer Seminar Peer Mentor, a Lab Assistant for the World Languages Resource Center, and a Facilities Student Worker for the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). I also worked as a Summer Conference Assistant for Housing and Residence Life (HRL) this past summer. How did I find all these wonderful jobs you ask? Well, there are many different routes you can use to find on-campus employment.  

The first way would be through a website UNCW has called SeaWork. SeaWork is a job database that has on-campus and off-campus jobs where you can search using keywords and specific criteria to find what you are looking for. I found my Lab Assistant job through this website. I have it set up where SeaWork sends me an email every time new jobs fitting my search criteria are posted, so I received an email when that job came open. I went to SeaWork, read the job description, and read how to apply right on one page. You can also find non SeaWork job postings throughout the UNCW website. For example, my summer job with Housing and Residence Life was through the Housing & Residence Life (HRL) website. They have a specific tab for their student employment opportunities and I found that page and applied for my job through that. This HRL job led me to my current job with the College of Health and Human Services which brings me to my next point.

You can get on-campus jobs simply through networking. My boss at my summer job was a graduate assistant who reported back to her boss, a professional staff member. That professional staff member left housing and started with CHHS where I was asked to come on as student staff and keep working on campus. Another example of jobs through networking is with Transfer to Teal. I am a returning guide this year and last year I received an email from one of the admissions counselors about applying for the UNI 201 Transfer Seminar Peer Mentor position. I applied and got the job and I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity because I wouldn’t have known about the job without the Office of Admissions staff.

As soon as you get accepted to UNCW and think you want an on-campus job, start looking! We have plenty of student employment opportunities here. Our Student Recreation Center employs the most students out of every office on campus.  Don’t forget about Work Study positions if you are eligible through financial aid and direct those questions to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships!

-Ashton

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Transfer Student Transition Tips

As a transfer student, I know there are struggles along the way. Homework never seems to end or maybe you failed an exam because your study habits were much different at your other school. Whatever your struggle may be, in some form we have been there and you are not alone! This is a new place so of course there will be changes. How did I deal with the transition? Here are a few tips that helped me: 

1. Go out and meet new people. 2. Leave your comfort zone. 3. Take on new hobbies. 4. Explore this marvelous town! There is so much to see and do. 5. Feeling anxious? Grab a friend and head to any of our nearby beaches. 6. Do something you love to do at least once a week. 7. Engage yourself in new learning opportunities.

These are just a few tips that helped me and could hopefully help you! When I started attending UNCW I was so nervous! Everything was so much different here, so I followed these tips and they helped me become a better student. Now, what do I do when I am overwhelmed? I take a run on our beaches and my troubles/worry go away! UNCW is the best decision I ever made and I am honored to be called a Seahawk! So put those wings up and dream to soar! 

-Courtney K.

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No Matter How Small

Hey guys! My last blog was about Hope Spot Hatteras, so I thought I would continue the theme and give everyone an update on our efforts. Over Spring Break, a group of UNCW Plastic Ocean Project members went up to the Outer Banks to promote Hope Spot Hatteras, myself included. We made great progress by talking with the locals, having several people sign our petition, and doing huge clean ups all over the Outer Banks! After I got back from the trip, I wrote a blog post for our website, www.hopespothatteras.org, and I thought I would share it with you guys.

I was taking an evening stroll along the beach in Kitty Hawk, just collecting trash and a few shells along the way and then I see it. It was just sitting on the beach about to be taken by the waves. It was so big and colorful, how could anyone have missed it? What was It?

 A pizza box. 

I was so enraged and couldn’t believe my eyes. Right in front of me was an entire pizza box just left on the beach by ignorant people. What exactly did they think would happen to it? What if I hadn’t been there to pick it up? Marine animals don’t want your cardboard pizza box floating in their home. Didn’t your mother ever teach you to clean up after yourself?

It’s such a simple concept that most people just don’t get.

"The sad fact of it is that the Ocean could be empty and still look the same. It's a very hard thing to convey what's happening, how it will affect you personally. And so as the Ocean is being emptied, and as the Ocean is dying, the surface looks the same, the waves look the same.” -Carl Safina, Mission Blue

We can do something, we can make a change! I spent the last week doing my part in making a change for our oceans. From picking up that pizza box to disposing of tires that had washed up on shore, to filling up the back of the Jeep with trash collected off of the highway in Pea Island, I helped make a difference. No matter how small an action may seem it can make a huge impact on the life of our oceans and marine life.

I had such a blast in the Outer Banks and feel like I really made a difference. If you ever get the chance, go visit and you’ll understand when we say the Outer Banks are truly magnificent.

-Sam

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Learning to be in the Moment

A while back I realized I spend multiple hours each day on my phone, which is entirely too much in my eyes. That includes Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, phone calls, and texting. If I add all that time up each week, that’s a lot of time I could be using to do a number of other things. I could read a book, do schoolwork ahead of time, knit, learn a new language, get another part-time job, or various other pastimes. I have taken a break from Facebook and social media for a while before and I loved it (after I got through the withdrawals), but I somehow managed to talk myself back into giving it another chance.  I understand the benefits of social media and cell phones, but I also see the down side and have decided to take another cleanse to remind myself of all the joys there are outside of my phone screen. I plan to keep my Facebook Messenger app for the people I can’t communicate with by other means and I don’t have a plan for how long this cleanse will last, but I look forward to learning how to be in the moment again.

-Becca 

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Spring Break in Tennessee

This past Spring Break was most definitely the best vacation I have ever had! Living so far from home, I was a little bummed that I wasn’t able to go home and spend spring break with my family. However, the friends that I have made here at UNCW planned an awesome spring break in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We all chipped in to rent a cabin for the five of us and made a list of all the activities that we wanted to do. Only my best friend Jessica had been to Gatlinburg before so this was a new experience for all of us.

One of the best things that we did while we were there was play the Escape Game. If you have never heard of the Escape Game, you should definitely look it up. How the game works, without giving too much away, is you are locked in a room with a group of friends and your objective is to escape from the room, and you are only given one hour to do so. There are different scenarios that you can pick before you are locked in your room. My friends and I played two games and the first round we played was called The Heist. We had to find a missing painting that an art dealer had stolen. I would love to go into the details of the game but that information is confidential, in case you ever want to play. We escaped our room with 30 seconds to spare and it was such a great bonding moment for all of us and made us so much closer as friends. The second Escape Game we played was called Prison Break, and sadly we did not escape this room, but we didn’t care because the experience was so much fun (well actually we cared a little because we were only two clues away from getting out of the room before our time ran out)!

Like I said this was one of the best vacations I have ever had, and I am so happy that I have found such amazing friends here at UNCW that I can go on vacations with. We all can’t wait to go back to Gatlinburg and play the Escape Game again. We even found a similar game here in Wilmington that we are just dying to try and have decided that that is our next adventure.

-Sarah 

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Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

As a future educator, I want to share with you all that Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016 was Read Across America Day. What is that you ask? Well…I will tell you! Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. As a UNCW Student, I want to share with you that this week marks us being halfway done with our semester considering our Spring Break is this week. (Now I know you’re probably thinking that these may seem like two completely random facts that have absolutely no connection whatsoever but just stay with me and hang in there. I’ll explain it later.)

I just have to say that I cannot believe we are halfway through the semester already. I have successfully completed my internship for my Birth-Kindergarten License and now only have two months left of being a UNCW student as I complete the two classes I am taking this semester. That means I have to begin figuring out my future plans and what exactly it is I am doing with my life…at least for the summer anyway. It doesn’t seem real that my time in Wilmington is coming to an end but it will be here before I know it. In three short months I will be living back home and searching for my first teaching job. It feels like a dream but is actually very real. It is definitely a bittersweet feeling and has caused me to spend a good bit of time reflecting lately.

It’s amazing how much happens in just a year. So much can change in such a short amount of time. This time a year ago I had successfully completed my internship for both my Special Education Degree and License. I was also preparing to study abroad in Belize for five and a half weeks before coming back to Wilmington and graduating in May. I believe I was an emotional basket case the entire month after my graduation. Just ten months ago I couldn’t imagine the thought of ever leaving Wilmington but as time has passed each month since my graduation I have slowly but surely felt more ready to leave. Now don’t get me wrong…I absolutely love Wilmington with all of my heart! I always have and always will. I can honestly say that Wilmington has built me into the person I am today just as much as my hometown has. The past three and a half (almost four) years of my life have truly been the hardest years of my life but I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world because I have learned and grown so much in that time. Now please don’t worry. I didn’t say that to scare you. I said that in order to encourage you because it’s during the hard times when you grow the most and really discover what exactly it is you’re made of. I can say without a doubt that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not come to school at UNCW. Wilmington has always felt like home to me before I ever moved here and even though I’ll be leaving in just a few months, I know Wilmington will always have a special piece of my heart for the rest of my life. There’s just something about this place. Thank goodness I have friends who will still be here as well as access to beach houses that some of my family members own. When you think about it….I won’t even really be leaving because I will always have a place to come back to and visit.

A year ago the thought of leaving Wilmington made my heart stop. Now I can say I am ready. I am calm and completely at peace about moving home to be back with my family and friends there. I had my time away to discover who I am and now it’s time for me to get back into the swing of things and begin my teaching career. When I first came to UNCW I thought I would stay and “start my life here” but I’ve recently realized that my life already started a long time ago. As time goes on my life just continues to change and I continue to grow. Life is full of one transition after another and they each help mold and shape us into the people we become. Each of us have a different path. I truly love how we all come from various backgrounds and we each go different directions throughout our lives. Our individual stories are what makes each of us special, and the fun part about that is we are writing our stories every day.

As my time in Wilmington is wrapping up I can’t help but think of Dr. Seuss’ Quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” (HERE’S THE CONNECTION. Thanks for sticking with me.) This is exactly what I plan to do. I know I will miss Wilmington but when I think about my time here I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had with so many amazing people I have had the opportunity to meet. There have been smiles, laughter, as well as tears. Some days have been harder than others but every single one of them has been worth it. One of my favorite quotes is, “Sometimes we become so focused on the destination that we fail to enjoy the journey.” As you navigate this journey we call life I hope that you will enjoy each day you have no matter what. I am going to end this post with a couple of lines from “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. (I wish I could post more. It’s such a good story that accurately describes the new season of life that I am approaching but it’s too long of a book and would need to be another blog entry entirely.) I know it’s encouraging for me as I get closer to beginning a new chapter in my life and I hope that you will be encouraged in the same way regardless of where it is you are at in your life. I never dreamed when I started my journey at UNCW that I would be where I am now. I wish you the best on your journey through life as it takes you to places you never imagined! Always remember: “Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! – Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!”

-Stephanie

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Tau Sigma National Honors Society - Beta Kappa Chapter

Tau Sigma is an honors society specifically for transfer students. It’s main focus is to help foster academic success and kindle relationships within the transfer student population. It has given me many opportunities for leadership and volunteering that I wouldn’t have gotten before. I volunteered a lot with Good Shepard, which is a non-profit in Wilmington that helps those in the surrounding area get back on their feet after hard times. I have met some amazing people through this organization and I plan on volunteering with them as often as I can. Currently I am treasurer of Tau Sigma and it has been a rewarding experience growing the organization with my fellow Executive Board members. This semester we will be inducting the biggest class we have ever had. Over 100 students have accepted the invitation to join Tau Sigma and we couldn’t be more excited! I hope as you make your transition to UNCW that you will strive to earn an invitation to our honors society. It will give you the opportunity to meet new transfer students and make the most of your time at UNCW. In order to receive an invitation you must earn a 3.5 GPA in your first semester at UNCW...that’s it! I know you can do it! I hope that I will see you soon in Tau Sigma! Go Seahawks!

-Sarah 

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Once a Seahawk, Always a Seahawk

I can’t believe that the time has come, and that I am writing my final blog for Transfer to Teal. Being a transfer student I wanted a place I felt comfortable, but at UNCW I found much more than that. I found my home. I am so blessed to call UNCW my home. This university has provided me with so much, and I am thankful I became so involved that I get to leave my mark here. If I could give advice to anyone reading this it’s to become involved. My hopes are that you decided to attend this wonderful university, but regardless of your choice please get involved. During my time here I became a Transfer to Teal Guide and Student Ambassador. I joined Club Field Hockey, Campus Conduct Board, and TealBridge among others. Joining all these organizations taught me so much about myself, but also about my school. I learned about the countless resources on campus. I also have met so many people outside of the UNCW community, which has led to many opportunities for after graduation. I cannot speak highly enough about UNCW and the people that have impacted me. From day one, when I came to tour during an ice storm, I have received nothing but support. The Office of Admissions determined my decision to attend UNCW because of how supportive they were. Once I made the choice to come here, Orientation helped me get the correct schedule I needed to complete my degree requirements. Throughout my time here I had friends, faculty and staff support me in any and every way I needed. It’s crazy to think that my time at UNCW is coming to a close, but I wouldn’t change a thing. To everyone who is reading this, UNCW has changed my life so much and I encourage everyone to attend this wonderful university. I will forever bleed teal.

-Lex 

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My Experience Joining Greek Life

Coming to UNCW, I was not completely sure what I wanted out of my school. I knew that I wanted to be involved on campus, but I never really pictured myself as someone who would be involved in Greek life. At my old school, Greek Life took over the school and made it hard to be involved in anything else, which totally turned me off to the idea of it. However, once I actually got here, I was pleasantly surprised to meet so many awesome women from different sororities who were friends with each other. After considering it for a long time, I decided to give rush a try.

I was still unsure of exactly what I wanted out of rushing or if I would stick with it, but after the first couple of days, I knew that I was becoming a part of something that I loved. I knew that even if I decided to drop, I had met so many great people, and that was worth it to me. Nonetheless, it is an experience I am grateful for and one that I will never forget. In that week and a half of formal rushing, I not only expanded my social skills, but I also met some of my very best friends; girls who mostly ended up being in other sororities, but people I still talk to every single day.

Joining a sorority at UNCW was the best decision I have made here so far. I have made so many new friends and created a support system that I could have never dreamed of having. I love how involved our sisterhood is on campus and how centered we are with philanthropy and helping others. When I joined, all of my worries that I had went away. Everyone was so welcoming and there was no competition between other sororities, everyone was one big friend group! My involvement within my sorority is exactly what I make of it! Through my sorority I have expanded my horizons so much and have found so many new passions that I never knew I had. Plus, I still have plenty of time for my other interests on campus and all of my other friends who aren’t involved in Greek Life.

- Julia

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Becoming a Resident Assistant at UNCW

Communication is a very important skill to have in any career and one which I pride myself on successfully conveying. As a home school student during high school, I considered myself very outgoing with my limited peer-to-peer communication growing up. My experience as a college student has proven that I am naturally an outgoing person and able to easily communicate with those around me. I was tested in my communication skills in my first internship position at North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores where I was responsible for working with teams of people to manage and maintain the animal husbandry requirements. Since this position, my communication skills have grown immensely as I have been involved in several group environments and leadership positions where I have learned to listen and respect everyone's opinions while maintaining my personal beliefs. My communication skills continuously lead those around me to believe that I am a person to confide in. Although this has presented me with several challenging situations, I am glad that I can make a difference and advise those around me with my experiences.

I was recently awarded the position of Resident Assistant, or RA, with campus housing. This position requires me to be responsible for an on-campus residential floor, wing, pod, building, or area. The Resident Assistant serves as a facilitator to encourage a positive and welcoming, healthy and safe, cooperative and considerate living environment. They are also expected to help build a strong, inclusive community by initiating and organizing activities and programs. The RA serves as an information resource for the campus and residence hall to the students. Assisting with the personal and academic concerns of each individual resident is also expected and the management of conflicts that may arise in the residential area is another task of an RA. Therefore, a Resident Assistant is expected to be a person who cares about their residents and continuously strives to make the residence hall a valuable, comfortable, and educational place to live. The responsibilities of the RA are numerous and varied as only a few are described above. I will utilize my communication and leadership skills as well as my personal experiences to become the best RA that I can be. I consider my skill to be able to create and maintain balance with all of the challenges life throws my way while thoroughly enjoying the challenge and being able to positively influence those around me!

-Lee