February 2004 Newsletter Content

February Newsletter Content:

• Recognition Day! - 2004 International Residence Hall Student Staff Recognition Day!
  • Poem: "Just Call Me RA"
  • Thank You For All You Do!
• Feature Article "10 Time Management Tips" - Professor Joe Martin
• Attention Job Seekers and Employers! - Southern Placement Exchange
• Site Updates - Updates
• Inspiration Books & Poster
• This Month's RA Spotlight WINNER!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF SO THEY CAN SUBSCRIBE AS WELL!

Feb 18, 2004: Residence Hall Student Staff Recognition Day!

Just Call Me RA

Walking down the hallways, wanting to be your friend
You can't offer me a drink, but shut the door once again.
I've taken a title that's divided me from the floor.
I live amongst you, hoping you'll knock on my door.

I want to get to know you and be a part of the crowd,
But my identity is reveald when your stereo is too loud.
By enforcing the rules, you think I'm a shrew.
But if the truth be told, it hurts me more than you.

I've taken on a job, and a job must be done.
Sometimes it gets dirty, sometimes it's fun.
Please understand me as I try to understand you.
I'm not mean; just doing what I have to do.

Sometimes I get frustrated and feel it's unfair
But I don't quit because for all of you I care.
So next time you see me, wish me a nice day.
My name is irrelevent, just call me "RA"

~ Author Unknown

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 is the annual "International Residence Hall Student Staff Recognition Day." It is a day dedicated to YOU, the students working on the "front lines" at colleges and universities all over the world, making a daily difference in the lives of your residents.

Whether you are an Resident Assistant, Community Assistant, Programming Assistant, Resident Advisor, Resident Don, or are in any other student staff position in the residence halls, this day is for YOU! You are in what can sometimes be a thankless job, and it is important that you remember the potential you have to make a difference on a daily basis!

Thanks for all of the work that you do.

You may never find out what happens as a result of that one program you planned, the late night conversation you had, the resident you confronted, or the mediation you conducted, but remember that you make a difference every day!

Sincerely,

Dan Oltersdorf
http://www.DanOltersdorf.com

PS. For a list of ways you can recognize your fellow staff members throughout the year, check out this link: /archive/recognitionday/ideas.htm

Feature Article: Time Management Tips

Editor's Note: Student leaders, particularly those working in the residence halls, are some of the most busy people on campus. You are called upon to fit a LOT into the 24 hours of each day. This article by Professor Joe Martin contains a few time management tips to help you along the way. To add on your own tips, check out this topic on the ResidentAssistant.com Discussion Board!

10 Time Management Tips
Professor Joe Martin

This topic has been talked about so much to the point of overkill. Therefore, instead of talking about the importance of time management, I thought the best thing would be to just offer you time saving ideas.

A few years ago, I read a book entitled "365 Ways to Save Time" by Lucy Hedrick. Lucy is a time management consultant (yes, there is such a thing). She's conducted time management seminars for companies like IBM and Xerox, just to name a couple. Hey, if it worked for them, why wouldn't it work for you?

My wife (she was the one who bought the book) and I have personally put Lucy's tips to the test, and we've been thrilled with the results. Yes, they do work; that's why I'm sharing these ideas with you. Of course, I'm not going to list all 365 of her tips (buy the book why don't you), but I will list a few of her tips, along with some advice from others (in future updates).

Understand, all of these ideas may not work for you, but all you need is one that will; right? Here are 10 time cheating tips from Hedrick's "365 Ways to Save Time":

1. Today, choose ONE job that needs doing and get moving on it.
2. Tonight, prepare everything you need to get going tomorrow (i.e., put out the clothes you're going to wear, and put your car keys, backpack, and wallet in one place ready to grab as you leave, etc.)
3. Set every clock in your house (and your watch) 15 minutes fast, and intentionally forget you did it.
4. If you don't like to forget what you have to do, write it down. Then forget about it, and concentrate on more important things than remembering.
5. Resolve today to put away everything you take out. Also, straighten up one little corner of your world before something grows in it.
6. Add some supplies for waiting time to your backpack (i.e., class notes, textbook, etc.)
7. Next time your professor gives you an assignment, ask "What's most important here?" (i.e., find out what his or her top priority is).
8. The next time you're asked to serve on a committee or to volunteer for something, instead of saying "yes" right away, say, "I need 24-hours to think it over."
9. The next time you meet a potential employer at a networking function, and they give you their business card, write on the back where you met this person, what was discussed, and follow up with a call or letter.
10. The next time you find yourself overwhelmed with a lot of things to do, identify only three top priorities each day until you complete them all.

Of course, there's a lot more information on this topic, and RealWorld University will make it available to you. Keep stopping by to read the latest strategies, tips and ideas from the best sources. Remember, the key to wisdom is knowing "where" to look for the answers. At RWU, our job is to find the answers, your job is to apply them. Please come again, and make sure to tell a friend. Live purposefully, God bless! ~ Professor Joe Martin

Dr. Joe Martin is a nationally recognized speaker and author. He is the founder of RealWorld University, one of the largest student success websites on the internet, and the author of several books including "Tricks of the Grade." Based on his book, we recently worked together to develop an eCourse that is guaranteed to help you get at least a B in any course. Check it out at http://www.tricksofthegrade.com. To contact Professor Martin, visit his website at http://www.rwuniversity.com.

Residence Life Jobs!:

Southern Placement Exchange |March 11 - 14, 2004

The 2004 Southern Placement Exchange (SPE) will be held March 11-14 at the Memphis Marriott East in Memphis, TN. This placement exchange, co-sponsored by SACSA, SEAHO, and SWACUHO, is an excellent opportunity for candidates seeking positions in student affairs to interview with a variety of colleges and universities, all in one location. This is also a great opportunity for employers with positions to fill to find candidates. In 2003, approximately 100 colleges and universities posted positions in a variety of areas within student affairs and interviewed approximately 130 candidates during SPE.

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend the 2004 Southern Placement Exchange! For registration details and additional information, visit the SPE website at http://resweb.memphis.edu/southernplacement/.

Site Updates!

Products & Services

Student Issues Calendar

These are some issues students may face during this time of year. As you will note, these are general guidelines and will vary from student to student. This information can be useful to not only be aware of what students may be going through, but also to plan relevant programs.

February 

• Hourly exams and other academic pressures approach. 
• Depending upon the weather, some people will experience cabin fever if the weather forces them to stay inside for a lengthy period of time. With the lack of organized activities to compensate for this, anti-social behavior sometimes occurs, such as excessive property damage. 
• Vocational choice anxieties set in with the onset of job interviews.
• Worry of hunting for a summer job begins. This is especially high for students who were unable to find work during the Holiday break. 
• Relationship anxieties increase as either couples begin to strengthen their ties (engagement) or experiencing weakening relationships. 
• Fall housing planning begins with trying to tentatively decide about living arrangements.

March:

• Mid-semester slouch (academically dangerous)
• Mid-winter sickness (especially with long, cold winters) accompanied by restlessness toward the upcoming spring break.
• Roommate conflicts may resurface due to cabin fever, academic pressure and just living together for an extended period.
• Seniors are anticipating graduation, but worry about jobs
• Existential crisis for seniors - "Do I have to leave school?" "Is my education worth anything?" "Was my major a mistake?" "What am I really qualified to do?"
• Finding money for spring break becomes a challenge
• Increasing thoughts/deliberations about suicide from academic and social expectations
• Trying to find money for spring break becomes a paramount issue
• Continued and increased anxiety over search for summer job
• Students begin worrying about living arrangements for the following year
• Apartment hunting and roommate selection becomes a concern
• Mid-terms bring about increased academic anxiety
• Anxiety following spring break sexual encounters
• Increased alcohol use with pressure of the end of the school year approaching
• Summer job hunting starts up soon after spring break
• Different experiences at spring break can change community dynamics - who can afford to go where, how the trip went, etc..
  

Spotlight Winner

This month's Spotlight Winner is Kellie D!

Kellie is a 3rd year Resident Assistant at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. She is a senior studying Music Education. Her favorite thing about being an RA is being able to put her creativity to use in order to help other students. One additional comment Kellie offered to fellow Resident Assistants is "to always have fun and try your hardest when it comes to being an RA. The job can be tough sometimes, but the benefits it can create for you and your residents are endless."

Kellie submitted a great program called "Trading Stalls," based on the popular "Trading Spaces" television program, where her residents decorated their community bathroom. Congratulations, Kellie!

If you have suggestions for this newsletter, or would be interested in providing content, please email me at [email removed]