What To Do At Your RA Interview

What To Do At Your RA Interview?

Are you thinking of becoming an RA? Do you believe in Student Leadership, helping others, decorating a hallway, or showcasing great programs that everyone will enjoy? You should apply to be an RA!

“How do I apply? Where can I get the application?”

https://getinvolved.millersville.edu/submitter/form/start/142540

This link above, will take you to the page where you will put in your Millersville email and password, like you would use signing in to any portal the university uses. Also it helps to know the deadline for the application to become an RA is Monday, February 5th, 2018.

“What if I don’t know what to say?”

Student Leaders come in all shapes, sizes, mindsets, backgrounds, etc. You want to have an open-mind about what kind of leader you will be—you want to be someone that will get others involved! Don’t say anything that would jeopardize your chances of leading others into success.

“There’s an interview, what should I wear?!?” 

You can breathe a little easier because help is on the way! Your style of dress is only a small component of your potential to become a greater leader. Your interview attire should be well-thought out—enough where the interviewer knows you are serious about the position. The most important component is your attitude about the interview. Your passion and purpose go a long way and will surely show when you venture into the life of an RA.

“Wait! I didn’t know there were two interviews!!”

Saturday, February 10th, 2018 is the Group Interview where you will be among fellow student leaders who just like you, want to make a difference! This process will challenge both your analytical skills and your ability to work with others to reach a common goal. You will also attend individual interviews during the last two weeks of February.

That being said to prepare for both the group and individual interviews, these tricks and tips can be a great asset to what you will need to make a different in Housing and Residential Programs:

  1. Be on time for the interview—The earlier the better. Give yourself time to shake the nerves and talk with peers and even do mock interviews.
  2. Be yourself—It goes without saying, originality sets you apart from others, but that confidence that you have in yourself will surely stand out.
  3. The Group interview is not competition— Working with others is a huge integral part of the RA lifestyle. Your cooperation is key and understanding how others work is first step of many you will take for the transferable skills gained as an RA.
  4. Look around the room—Take a look at those fresh faces. Make conversation and make new friends! The people you see in the room may be the people you see on your staff as a new RA.
  5. Get to know the Housing and Residential GA’s, RA’s, and RAD’s—Learning from experience is the best tool anyone can have for getting prepared. Learning the insides and outs of a new job before it starts can be highly beneficial.
  6. Prepare some questions for the interview after its over—You want to make sure the interviewer has an interviewee that is interested and actively listening; asking questions is great way to inspire conversation and commitment to the job.
  7. Don’t just take the job for its benefits—Being an RA is more than just a room that’s paid for. As an RA, you have the opportunity to initiate leadership that is transactional, emulative, and beneficial to where you can take it with you to a job in the future.
  8. Be judgement free—As an RA you will encounter a lot of different viewpoints, people, personalities, and work attitudes. Understand that being understanding is a trait every RA should learn to carry with them.
  9. Smile—Have fun with the interview, make the most of it, your first impression is your best impression!
  10. Don’t take it personal—All interviews are a chance to learn about yourself, whether you become an RA or not. It is best to understand opportunities are always around the corner.

As a last reminder, here are the info sessions where you can get all the info you need and more about RA life through Housing and Residential Programs:

Wednesday, January 24th                                Thursday, January 25th

7pm – 8 pm                                                                 12:15pm – 1:15pm

South Village Great Room                                South Village Great Room

Monday, January 29th                                         Tuesday, January 30th

6:30pm – 7:30pm                                                     2:30pm – 3:30pm

South Village Great Room                                 South Village Great Room

Take these tips and tricks with you to the RA interview and beyond and be ready and willing to make a difference!

Winter Break Housing Registration Due by Monday, December 11, 2017 – All Winter Break Housing in Bard / Lehigh Halls

Winter

 

Millersville University Residence Hall Winter Break
2017-2018 Bulletin

 

The Winter Break will start at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2017.  The residence halls will be closed during the Winter Break. Resident Students who are continuing in the residence halls to spring 2018, and who have an approved reason for requesting Winter Break Housing may request break housing for all or portions of the Winter Break by completing the following  Survey Monkey registration no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday December 11, 2017.  This includes requests for both the December and January portions of the Winter Break. ALL WINTER BREAK HOUSING WILL BE ASSIGNED IN LEHIGH AND BARD HALLS.

 

 
Millersville University Housing and Residential Programs Winter Break 2017-2018 Registration


Please review the following instructions and information carefully to avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct for improper maintenance and or check out of your residence hall suite/room.


Winter Break 2017-2018 Housing Information:
  • The residence halls close for Winter Break at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2017, for students participating in graduation-related activities.  All other resident students are requested to vacate the residence halls after their last final exam and/or no later than 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017.  Resident Students approved to reside in Lehigh/Bard Halls for Winter Break must relocate to Lehigh/Bard as assigned by Noon on Saturday, December 16, 2017.
  • Resident students continuing in the residence halls for spring 2018, and who have an approved reason (see below) may request Winter Break Housing in Lehigh and Bard Halls through survey monkey registration at the link listed above.
    • Athlete with mandatory participation requirements
    • Campus activity with mandatory participation requirement (documentation verification required)
    • International Student on F-1 or J-1 visa through Global Education
    • Long Distance student (greater than 100-mile distance to home)
    • Winter Session class enrollment (documentations verification required)
    • Working on campus (documentation verification required)
    • Working off-campus (documentation verification required)
    • Other (request will be considered and denied or approved by Housing on a case-by-case basis)
  • All Winter Break Housing will be assigned in Lehigh and Bard Halls.  Assignments will be made according to survey monkey registration by the Housing and Residential Programs Office.  Roommate assignment requests are not offered.  All resident students must move to Lehigh or Bard Halls as assigned for break housing.  Card access to all other residence halls will end at closing for Winter Break.
  • Meal plans are not active during Winter Break.  See Dining Services website for hours of operation. Cash, Flex, Marauder Gold, or credit card may be used during hours of operation.
  • Health Services will have limited hours of operation during Winter Break.  Use local hospitals or urgent care centers as needed.
  • Students are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break.
  • Visitation is not allowed during Winter Break.
  • All University Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday, December 22, 2017, 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 8:00 a.m.

The Information Desk will close as follows:

  • 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2017, until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2017.
  • 6:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 30, 2017, until 8:00 a.m.  Tuesday, January 2, 2018
  • University Police Non-Emergency Line (717) 871-4357 will be answered by Lancaster County-Wide Communications when the Information Desk is closed.
Winter Break Closing Preparation Procedures:
Prior to the start of the break, all resident students MUST:
  • Dispose of all trash by removing it to the dumpster in the parking lots outside your residence hall.
  • Clean the room/suite including sweeping the floor and wiping down furniture.
  • Clean your bathroom and report any issues with constant run toilets, sinks, showers to the residence hall staff.
  • Clear, clean, defrost and unplug your refrigerator
  • Turn off the lights
  • Set the thermostat to 68 degrees
  • Close and lock the window
  • Lower the blinds halfway but leave them open
  • Lock your bedroom door and your suite door
  • Move all items from your residence hall floor, especially computer equipment and any items that can be damaged by flooding.
  • If you have a Learning Services approved animal in your room, you must take the animal with you.  You may not leave animals in the residence hall during the break.

Lower Your Stress and Anxiety During Exam Season

stress

College can be stressful.  Balancing your academics with work, friends, family, clubs and organizations, athletics, or whatever you’re involved in can be a lot to handle.  And with finals quickly approaching the stress may be mounting.  Feeling stress or anxiety is actually pretty common for college students.  According to a survey conducted in 2011 by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students at 41.6%, closely followed by depression at 36.4% and relationship problems at 35.8%.  If you are interested in reading the overall report from the survey just click here.

While stress and anxiety may be a growing issue on college campuses there are always ways to reduce them.  Self-care is a huge part of that.  Here are some self-care tips to help you de-stress and lower your anxiety.  Some of these may seem basic or obvious, but some of these things are the first thing to go when we get stressed.

present

  1. Do nice things for yourself.

Treat yourself.  This doesn’t necessarily mean buy yourself a present, although you could do that.  In college, funds can be pretty tight.  So find others things to treat yourself with.  Take an extra-long hot shower or bath, not because you’re dirty but because it can be relaxing.  Build in an hour of me time in your schedule where you put aside school and work, maybe watch something on Netflix.  If you want to buy yourself a present get that set of headphones you’ve been admiring, maybe get your favorite candy.  It’s nice to be nice yourself.

  1. Keep to a schedule.

Keeping to a regular schedule can cut down on stress and anxiety quite a bit.  You know your class schedule and how that interacts with your work schedule if you have a job.  Write that out.  Now add in a specific time block every day to study and get homework done.  Make sure you schedule times to eat and relax.  If you’re involved in any extracurriculars add them in too.  Sometimes there will be fluctuations, things can happen unexpectedly.  But keeping the same general schedule every week will get you into a routine that will become second nature.

Paint

  1. Do something fun!

What is your favorite thing to do?  When is the last time you did it?  Personally, my favorite thing to do it paint, and I can’t remember the last time I did it.  Try to do this thing regularly.  Having fun is important to leading a low-stress life.

  1. Get enough sleep.

I’m sure you’ve heard this quite a lot.  But it really is important.  If you get a full night’s sleep you will be more alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic! (Anybody else get that song stuck in their head as a kid?)  You will be more attentive throughout the day, which means getting done what you need to get done more efficiently and quickly.

food

  1. Don’t skip any meals.

You need to make sure your body has the proper fuel to run.  This means eating regularly.  If you skip a meal you may not be able to function properly while studying, going, to class, take a test, doing homework, going to your job, etc.  So make sure you eat!

  1. Say no!

Don’t be afraid to say no to things.  You don’t have to cover every co-worker’s shift whenever they ask.  You don’t have to spearhead every project for all the clubs you’re in.  It is okay to put yourself first.  Essentially don’t overload yourself.  Making that schedule could really help with this.

friends

  1. Spend time with friends and family.

Make time to be with your friends and family.  Sometimes you just need to take a break with those people who love you most.  I often find I feel much more relaxed after a night of hanging out with the fam and my bestie.

These are just some of my favorite ways to de-stress and lower anxiety.  Looking for more?  Why not check out this boss article from Huff Post?  20 Scientifically Back Ways to De-Stress Right Now

If you are in need of any health or counseling services they are available right here at Millersville University.  Click here for counseling.  Click here for health services.

 

Photos courtesy of Canva.

Kristi Shorter is an Intern for Millersville University’s Housing and Residential Programs.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

2017 Annual On-Campus Resident Satisfaction Survey – Emailed Invitation to Participate

skyfactor

The Department of Housing & Residential Programs will be conducting its annual Skyfactor / EBI MAP-Works survey through Thursday, December 14, 2017 to obtain feedback regarding resident students’ satisfaction with the on-campus living experience. We would greatly appreciate if you would take the time to fill out this survey. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, but if you are unable to complete the survey in one sitting, you will be able to return to the survey using the link given to you in the email invitation.

Your responses will be kept anonymous and will assist us in evaluating and planning for future programs and services. Your responses are important! Students are the best source of information to help shape the educational and co-curricular experience at Millersville University.

Students who fully complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $100.00 gift certificate for the university store.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey.

Sincerely,
Dr. Scott M. Helfrich, D.Ed. – Director
Housing & Residential Programs

Thanksgiving Break Information

Millersville University Residence Hall Thanksgiving Break 2017 Bulletin
The Thanksgiving Break will start at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.  The residence halls will be available for occupancy during the Thanksgiving Break, but resident students must register the intention to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving Break through the following survey monkey link no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2017.
Millersville University Housing and Residential Programs Thanksgiving Break 2017 Registration
 
The Residence Hall Staff may conduct Health and Safety Inspections in each residence hall suite in preparation for the start of the Thanksgiving Break. Please review the following instructions and information carefully to avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct for improper maintenance of your residence hall suite/room.
 
Thanksgiving Break Housing Information:
·         The residence halls will be operational during Thanksgiving Break for residents who register for break housing.
·         All University Administrative Offices will be closed for Thanksgiving Break Wednesday, November 22, 2017, 4:30 p.m. until Monday, November 27, 2017, 8:00 a.m.  University Police Non-Emergency Line (717) 871-4357 will be answered by Lancaster County-Wide Communications. 
·         Information Desk line closed 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2017, until 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 24, 2017.
·         Meal plans are not active during Thanksgiving Break.  See Dining Services website for hours of operation. Cash, Flex, and Marauder Gold may be used during hours of operation.
·         Health Services will be closed during Thanksgiving Break.  Use local hospitals or urgent care centers as needed.
·         Students are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break.
·         Visitation is not allowed during Thanksgiving Break.
·         The Housekeeping and Facilities Management Staffs may be working in the campus residence halls to perform maintenance tasks during portions of the break that require entrance to resident rooms.  The Housing Staff will post a courtesy sign on your door indicating that the room is occupied.  This sign will ensure that workers will not enter your room without knocking.  Please leave it in place for the duration of the break. 
Thanksgiving Break Preparation Procedures:
Prior to the start of the break, all resident students MUST:
·         Dispose of all trash by removing it to the dumpster in the parking lots outside your residence hall.
·         Clean the room/suite including sweeping the floor and wiping down furniture.
·         Clean your bathroom and report any issues with constant run toilets, sinks, showers to the residence hall staff.
·         Remove stale food from your refrigerator and properly dispose of it through proper trash removal
·         If you are leaving for the break, turn off the lights
·         If you are leaving for the break, set the thermostat to 70 degrees
·         If you are leaving for the break, close and lock the window
·         If you are leaving for the break, lower the blinds halfway but leave them open
·         If you are leaving for the break, lock your bedroom door and your suite door
·         If you are leaving for the break please move all items from your residence hall floor, especially computer equipment and any items that can be damaged by flooding.
·         If you are leaving for the break and you have a Learning Services approved animal in your room, you must take the animal with you.  You may not leave animals in the residence hall in the care of another student or staff member.

Five Tips for Writing in College

At this point in the semester, you may have written a paper or two.  If you haven’t you may be preparing to write a final paper for a class.  (End of the semester is just six weeks away.)  Here are five tips from a past writing major to keep in mind as you work on your papers.

Writing 1

  1. Pace Yourself

It is too often the case that students wait until the night before to start a paper.  They’ll stay up all night, writing right up until the time it’s due.  Don’t do that!  Start at least a couple weeks in advance.  Take your time to formulate your thoughts and find your resources.  If you spend an hour a night writing you’ll find that in a couple weeks you will be done with time to spare.

  1. Outline

Now that you’ve decided to start sooner than the night before one of the first things you should do is outline.  Here are the basics: The intro paragraph, the body, the conclusion.  The intro should be no longer than half a page.  It should have a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paper.  The rest of the intro should quickly outline each point you hope to hit in the body.  The body will follow the order of the points you outlined in the intro.  Finally, the conclusion is not just a summary of your paper.  The conclusion should be the place where you explain your findings.  It is the culmination of your paper’s viewpoint or argument; it should be the resolution to the problem or topic.

Writing 2

  1. Don’t know how to start?

Sometimes writing the intro is the toughest part of the paper.  If this is the case for you then skip it!  Start with the meat of the paper.  Once you get the ball rolling on the body you’ll find it will be easier for you to go back to the beginning and write the intro.

  1. Draft and Edit

Your first draft should never be what you hand in.  Make sure to re-read and re-work.  Do you need an apostrophe here?  Did you use the wrong word there?  Always draft and edit!

  1. Careful Sourcing

Double check your sources.  Are they reputable?  Or are they some random Tumblr blog?  Don’t use Wikipedia as your main source.  And DO NOT plagiarize.  If you are quoting someone else, make it obvious.  If you want to summarize what someone said, make it obvious.  The best way to do this is to follow the in-text citing guidelines of the style of writing you are using.  Whether it is MLA, APA, or something else there will always be a specific way to cite.  Save yourself a headache. Don’t mistakenly plagiarize by not following style rules, and don’t outright plagiarize.

If you need some help with your writing check out the Writing Center in the Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum here at Millersville University.  They opened in their new Library location on September 18th, and have many tutors to help with all your writing needs.

The Writing Center in McNairy Library.  Photo courtesy Millersville University.

Other Graphics and Photos courtesy of Canva.

Kristi Shorter is an Intern for Millersville University’s Housing and Residential Programs.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Things Hollywood Got Wrong: Ten Myths About College

It is important to know when starting college, or looking for a college to go to, that there are some things that TV shows and movies got wrong.  By now you may have noticed some of these things.  Here are ten common college myths.

  1. Everyone is involved in Greek Life in college. Sure, at some schools being a Greek is a big deal and a way of life, it may even be a tradition for a student’s family.  But not every single person joins a fraternity or sorority.  Not all fraternity brothers are obsessed with toga parties (Animal House), and not all sorority sisters are mean or out to get you (Sorority Wars).

Bedroom2. Everyone has a perfectly decorated room. When I think about this, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde automatically comes to mind.  Her room was beautiful!  But I think you’ll find most people don’t go to her lengths to decorate their room.  Also, you will not get away with having a treadmill and your best doggie pal in your room like she did.  You just won’t.

3. People are always taking off to tropical locales over spring break. I think you’ll find that most people just go home and veg out on their parent’s couch.  I did this for the vast majority of my spring breaks in college.  My senior year my friend’s and I went to a relative’s beach house in Jersey, though.  It snowed our second day there.

Party

4. There is a wild party every night of the week and everyone goes. While parties are a given in college, you won’t find some huge rager every night, nor will people be inclined to go out every night.  People do actually stay in and study, or hang out with their friends sober.  And there is nothing wrong with that.

5. Everyone is a mature adult. When I was in high school I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to go to college so I wouldn’t have to deal with my classmate’s immature attitudes.  This wasn’t the case though.  It takes time for people to grow up.  It will take time for YOU to grow up too.  You may not be as mature as you think you are.

6. Everyone is dressed to the nines and looking fine every day. Elle Woods, setting unrealistic expectations again!  You will not be dressed to impress every single day.  Sure there will be those students in your 8am that are well dressed and made up but don’t feel pressure to match them.  Most people wear T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, or sweatpants to class.  Prime example, I wore basketball shorts almost every day my first semester of college, and you better believe if I had an 8am there wasn’t a stitch of makeup on my face!  Some classes are fifty minutes, some are three hours.  Dress comfortably and be ready to learn.

Graduation

7. You must graduate in four years! While this does happen, it is not unheard of to go an extra semester or two (sometimes more).  If you need that extra time don’t be afraid to take it.  It took me five years to graduate, and that’s okay.

8. You have to have your major set in stone from semester one. When you’re eighteen you may not know what you want to do for the rest of your life.  Which means you may switch your major several times before graduation.  You have some wiggle room to figure it out.  Most schools actually want you to have your major picked by the end of your sophomore year.  So come into school undeclared/exploratory studies if you’re unsure what you want to do.

9. Professors are unapproachable, stuffy, mean, unhelpful, etc. Did you ever hear your high school teachers tell you, “Your professors in college won’t care about you as much as we do.”  Well, that is just not true.  Your professors care just as much as your high school teachers about you and your education.  Make it a point to personally introduce yourself in larger classes, go to their office hours to talk or get help, and email them when something comes up and keeps you out of class.  If you build a good working relationship with them you will have someone who is a mentor, a friend, and will write a job/graduate school recommendation for you.

Grade A

10. This one is twofold.  One: Freshmen don’t get A’sTwo: The grades you get in your general education classes, or gen. eds., don’t matter as much as the grades you get in your major-related classes.  Wrong and wrong!  Yes, there is an adjustment that all college freshmen must go through.  Your study habits from high school may not work in college.  The pacing and difficulty level of the courses will be different.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t earn that A!  Now to the second part of this myth.  ALL OF YOUR CLASSES MATTER.  Whether the class you are taking is a gen. ed. or major-related it will count towards your GPA.  You want and need to do well in your gen. eds.  The gen. eds. also serve to diversify your knowledge base, and make you a well-rounded and well-educated individual.

All photos courtesy of Canva.

Kristi Shorter is an Intern for Millersville University’s Housing and Residential Programs.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Five Things to Do In the Residence Halls

Lately, the weather can only be described as weird. Some days are hot. Some are cold. Some are bright and sunny. Some are overcast and rainy. On the less than beautiful weather days, you may find yourself cooped up inside your residence hall. What do you do with your time? Check out the list of possibilities below!

Board Game

1. Board Games

Did you know the halls have board games for students to sign out? Or you can play some of your own. If your roommate is anything like mine was in college they might have brought about twenty different games to school. Gather a group of friends and get to playing! May I suggest my personal favorite, Scattergories?

2. Pool, Foosball, or Ping Pong

The residence halls have pool tables, foosball tables, and ping pong tables scattered throughout the floors. Sign out the equipment from the front desk, gather your neighbors, and maybe put together a competition bracket.

TV

3. TV/Movie Marathon

We all have a Netflix account or know someone who does. Make some popcorn, settle down in your comfy clothes, and binge to your heart’s content. Hang out with your roommate, friends, and neighbors. Make it a regular thing. My freshman year of college it was a weekly event in my wing to sit down and watch the Jersey Shore together. And I’m totally not sorry about it!

4. Music Time

On nights when we were stuck inside and bored out of our minds my roommate and I would get my guitar out and learn to play and sing our favorite songs. Even if you aren’t musically inclined you can still take part in this one. Don’t know how to play an instrument? Go on YouTube and search karaoke. Spend the next few hours doing your best Cher or Drake impression with your buddies! Whether you are teaching yourself to play something new or doing your level best to butcher your favorite karaoke song it should be a good time!

Homework

5. Homework

You had to know I would include this in here. Studying and doing homework is always an option when you’re stuck inside due to weird PA weather! It’s not a bad idea to get that work done when the weather stinks so that when it’s beautiful again you can spend your time outside living life worry-free.

All photos courtesy of Canva.

Kristi Shorter is an Intern for Millersville University’s Housing and Residential Programs.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

717-871-4200 | housing@millersville.edu