Tag Archives: Res Life

RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant: Lincoln Edwards

Leave a comment

  • Name

Lincoln Edwards

  • Major

Dual Geography and Government

  • Year

Senior

  • Hometown

Upper Darby, PA

  • Hobbies

Listening to music, and going to the gym

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

One of the main reasons I wanted to become a RA was to gain more responsibility. 

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part of being a RA is the personal growth you develop from interacting with residents, staff, supervisors, etc.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite program was probably last year when we put on a hall wide scavenger hunt. That was pretty fun!

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I want them to be able to understand they have an open ear and a person to talk to if they have problems or concerns or if they just need to talk.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

One tip I have would be to take your laundry out of the washer/dryer when its finished. Also, be sure to put water in your easy mac before microwaving it.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

My favorite part about living in the residence hall is the community here. Also, I’m not too far from McComsey.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

I chose to come to Millersville because it was far enough from home that I could be independent, but close enough so I could always go back if I needed to.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

 I would say any class with Dr. Cuthbert and Political Geography.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

Nope. Not at this time.

 

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant : Cross Truesdell

Leave a comment

  • Name

Cross Truesdell

  • Major

Biology

  • Year

Junior

  • Hometown

Danville, PA

  • Hobbies

Working out, fishing, hiking, hunting, and playing basketball

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

One of the main reasons I wanted to become a RA was to have the ability to make the living community in the residence halls better. Being away from home is hard, but as a RA I want to be able to create a home away from home for my residents.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part of the job is being a person that residents can come to with their problems and concerns. I want the residents to be able to see that I can be that supporting factor to them when they have things going on or if they are having problems, I want to be there to help.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite program was one that I held with my RA partner when we had the therapy dogs come to the building.  A lot of the residents came out to learn more information on the dogs and what the dogs can and cannot do when they have their vests on. It was also a plus that the dogs were really cute.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I hope they learn to be more social and respectful to others in the building. I think it is very important to realize that there is more out there in the world than your hometown,  you just have to be social and inclusive with your peers.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I think the best tip or piece of advice is to be more social and more outgoing.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

The best part I think is getting to interact with more people.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

Originally my  mom chose this school for me because it was the best that money can afford, but I really like how there is a small student to teacher ratio.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

I think it would be Neurobiology.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

No, not yet but I  just held an event with RA Rhys about studying and study tips.

  • What is one goal you have set for this semester?

To complete enough of my thesis to present at Made in Millersville.  

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant : Connor Richter

Leave a comment

 

  • Name

Connor Richter

  • Major

Psychology

  • Year

Senior

  • Hometown

Ridley Park in Delaware County

  • Hobbies

Watching my brother, taking walks and playing pool

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

A lot of reasons, but the main reason was to help people. I grew up with a brother with disabilities, so it was a different experience for me  and I wanted to help others who are like my brother.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part is meeting a lot of different people. Whether it is throughout the halls or on campus, I will see residents or other people I know and I think it is a great way to meet new people and get to know everyone.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite are the community builder programs RAs have. One community builder I did was creating the name tags for the doors, I thought it was cool for everyone to make them and be able to meet new people from doing it. Also, the RAs are creating their own Relay for Life team so I think that is great as well.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I  hope they know that they can trust me. Having a safe experience here and promoting being involved is very great in making a safe environment for the residents. This can make the residents happy and I just want them to know that they are safe and have someone to talk to.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I would say it would be to take time for yourself. Schedules are very hectic but it is very important to take time for yourself. Also, asking for IDs as a RA is very important because it creates a safe space and builds respect.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

I think being around a lot of people. I would rather be in a residence hall compared to an apartment.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

My uncle came here so he knew about the school. Also, originally I came in as a Meteorology major and Millersville has a really great program for that. This was also the only school I applied to.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

This takes a lot of thought. I think either Calc 1 or Behavior Modification.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

I don’t , but I want to do an event that is Autism related in the beginning of April.

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant: Rhys Wallace

Leave a comment

 

  • Name

Rhys Wallace

  • Major

Secondary Education – Social Studies

  • Year

Sophomore , but credits-wise Junior.

  • Hometown

Pennsburg , but I grew up in Pottstown.

  • Hobbies

Camping, writing, reading (just not during the semester) and Scouts

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

My mom was a RA and so she encouraged me to do it. But, I also thought it was an interesting way to develop myself and develop useful skills. Also it was kind of my first time working in the real-world because I have only worked at summer camps before.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

There is a lot you don’t realize. The most valuable for me is meeting and working with many different people. Working with many people like my bosses or other RAs who are very different from me creates an interesting work environment, but in the end although we are different we all come together to work and get things done.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

I’ve had a lot of cool programs , but my favorite was having the therapy dogs in West. It was interesting because a lot of people came and learned about how the dogs are trained and how they cannot pet them when they have their vests on.  By the end of the program, there was so much dog hair in the lobby of the building it was pretty funny.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I want them to realize there is a difference between me being their friend and their administrator. By doing my job, I am trying to keep everyone safe and it is only helping them in the long run. I do not want them to get in trouble, but there are just some things they need to realize they can’t do or say.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I would say either think before you speak so you have time to gather your thoughts or wait before you react, because if you don’t you can make messy situations.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

My favorite part is that you can have a community if you choose to make it. If you talk to some of the people in the halls you can make friends and meet genuine people.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

My parents went to Bloomsburg University and I didn’t want to go there. Some of my friends went here and so I looked into it and thought it was a good school. It is small, the people are nice and the education program is great. I think campus is also very pretty and has history, the maintenance people definitely do not get enough credit for maintaining the appearance of campus.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

Speech class with Professor Donovan. He was very well spoken and a very cool guy who knew what he was talking about. I think that he gave his students everything he had to offer.

Lists

Best Study Spots On Campus

Leave a comment

Finals season is approaching and for many of us it is time to start putting our study plans into place. This time can be stressful and nerve-racking , but creating a schedule and sticking to it can help your grade. For me, I like to plan out when I will study for each of my exams. Another helpful tip I use is to make sure I am comfortable and focused  in the area I am studying. There are many different places to study and each of them have their pros and cons. Here is my list of the best places to study on campus.

  1. Study Rooms in the Residence Halls

Pros: These study rooms are very quiet and you also do not need to leave the comfort of your hall to trek to another spot. They also have whiteboards to help you study.

Cons: They are rarely empty because students fill them up real quick when no one is occupying them. 

2. Study Rooms on the 5th Floor in the Library

Pros: These spots are very private and provide a big area to study with friends. They also have TVs in the rooms incase you are working on something that needs to be presented.

Cons: These rooms are very hard to get and they are always taken by students. Also, there are not a lot of them.

 

This is a picture of my favorite study room. The room is very big, has a couch and many windows to look out!

3. Area Behind Starbucks

Pros: This is the perfect spot if you do not need to really focus on something. This area is close to Starbucks, so it is easy to get a pick-me-up while you’re studying. The big tables are also nice to spread your work on.

Cons: Sometimes this spot can get noisy because of its proximity to Starbucks. It also gets very busy around common hour.

4. The 6th Floor of the Library

Pros: This is the quiet floor of the library , so it is a very good place to go if you need to focus. There are also many individual desks.

Cons: Sometimes I feel self-conscious of the noise I am making which makes me uncomfortable. Many people go on this floor, so it is hard to find a seat.

5. Saxby’s

Pros: This is a great spot if you have work that does not require a lot of focus. This is also a good spot to meet with friends to get work done because of the large tables and location. It is also closer to the residence halls than the library or Starbucks.

Cons: It can get very noisy with people coming in to grab dinner or the music they play. During the day it gets very busy, so it is hard to study there.

If you have a favorite study spot, tweet us! Our username is @villehousing . Happy studying!

Cover photo courtesy of Canva. 

Lifestyle / Hall Life

Thanksgiving In the Halls

Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This holiday celebrates thanking your loved ones and friends for everything they do and showing that you appreciate them. For college students, it also is a time to have a break from classes in order to celebrate the holiday. If you want to get a head start on the celebrations and create them here at Millersville, here are some ideas on how to kick off the holiday season with your friends.

  1. Host a “Friends-giving”

Use the kitchens in the residence halls to create a Thanksgiving dinner for you and all your friends!  Getting all your friends to pitch in to buy the supplies and actually cook the meal can be a fun and different way for you and your friends to spend a weeknight or weekend.  

2. Decorate Your Door For the Holiday

Decorating your door for the different holidays can get you into the holiday spirit and spread holiday cheer to the other residents. This can also give students time to be creative and show off their talents. You can see our Pinterest account for some ideas , our username is @villehousing .

3. Watch Your Favorite Thanksgiving Episodes of TV Shows With Your Friends

A bunch of TV shows have great Thanksgiving episodes. Every Thanksgiving, I make sure watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  Also, I started a tradition with my college friends that we watch the Thanksgiving episodes of Friends and Gossip Girl together. This is a great way to relax and spend time with your friends while being festive. Here are the episodes incase you and friends want to watch them!

Thanksgiving episodes of friends

  • Season 1 episode 9
  • Season 2 episode 8
  • Season 3 episode 9
  • Season 4 episode 8
  • Season 5 episode 8
  • Season 6 episode 9
  • Season 7 episode 8
  • Season 8 episode 8
  • Season 9 episode 8
  • Season 10 episode 8

Thanksgiving episodes of Gossip Girl

  • Season 1 episode 9
  • Season 2 episode 11
  • Season 3 episode 11
  • Season 4 episode 10
  • Season 6 episode 8

4. Make a List of What You Are Thankful For

This may seem sappy, but at the end of the day this holiday celebrates all of the things we are thankful for. Taking the time to create a list, will make you realize all the great things and people in your life. You can even take it a step further and thank the people who mean a great deal to you.

5. Create Thanksgiving Themed Crafts With Your Friends

Remember in elementary school when we would make hand turkeys?  Why not do it now? This can be a fun and nostalgic way to celebrate the holiday and have a good time with your friends. Also, these can include other crafts as well, not just the famous hand turkey.

6. Volunteer

Thanksgiving can also be a great time to show your community you are thankful for them by volunteering. Taking the time to volunteer or donate supplies to make Thanksgiving dinner is a great way to give back to the community and make sure others have a great holiday as well.

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Health & Wellness

How To Avoid Catching Colds On a College Campus

Leave a comment

It is getting to the point in the semester when almost everyone is sick or you know someone who is sick. Getting sick is one of the most inconvenient things to happen to a college student because all you want to do is rest and lie down, but you have classes and assignments due all week long. No one wants to deal with a stuffy nose, loud coughing, stomach-aches, fevers or headaches. If you want to try to avoid all of these symptoms make sure to follow these tips.  

 

  1. Get a Good Amount of Sleep Each Night

Getting the right amount of sleep can benefit you in many ways. The recommended amount of sleep for a college students is 7-8 hours a night , but that is easier said than done. Not getting enough sleep on one hand,  can weaken your immune system.

2. Wash Your Hands Regularly

Washing you hands regularly and especially before eating, can kill germs and prevent you from getting sick. It will be especially worth it in the long run  when you do not get sick while everyone else on campus is.

3. Eat Healthy

In college, it is especially hard to eat healthy all the time. Students are often tempted by fried , delicious food the dining hall serves and often times they are not eating all of the nutrients they need. If you incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, it is easier to stay healthy and receive the daily nutrients your body  needs.

4. Wipe Down Surfaces in Your Room Everyday

Most college students do not wipe down their surfaces everyday which leads to germs building up. If you take the time to wipe them down, it can prevent you from catching a cold within your own room.

5. Exercise

Participating in daily exercise is not only good for your body, but it is also strengthens your immune system. It can also help you to breathe better, sleep better and create better circulation for your body.

6. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated can benefit you in many ways. It can make you less tired and create a stronger immune system.

7. Get Vitamin C

If you get your daily intake of Vitamin C , you are way less likely to get sick. Vitamin C is linked to the protection against the immune system. Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C.

8. Get the Flu Shot

This is the easiest way to prevent the flu, but many students do not get it because they think they do not have enough time to, they are afraid of needles or they just do not feel like it. Health Services here at MU offer free flu shots for all students.

Make the time and effort to prioritize yourself and your health during the cold season!

Photos courtesy of Canva.