RAs plan around the academic calendar. Pick a month to see what residents are usually dealing with, plus program, bulletin board and holiday ideas from the site that fit. The months follow a typical US fall start and may differ at your school.
Dates for Easter, Ramadan, Hanukkah and Lunar New Year move each year. See the holiday programming pages.
August
Move-in and first impressions
Welcome new residents, set expectations and start building community. Roommate agreements and floor meetings come first.
September
Settling in and community building
Homesickness and roommate friction show up. Focus on connection, study habits and safe, simple events.
- Icebreaker games
- Advice: roommate conflict
- 101 Tools for Tolerance (Bulletin board and active program)
- 10 Study Tips to Keep in Mind
- Archie Bunker's Neighborhood
- Black and White: Diversity and Descrimination
- Celebrate Diversity Bulletin Board
- Diversity Bulletin Board
- Diversity Collage
- Neighbor Trivia
- Picnic by the Lake Community Building
- All About Chocolate -- Community Building
October
Midterms, safety and awareness
Midterm stress builds. Halloween, breast cancer awareness and domestic violence awareness are common themes.
November
Gratitude, giving and pre-finals stress
Pre-finals stress, money worries and homesickness. Service and gratitude programs fit well.
December
Finals and the holidays
Finals pressure and holiday blues. Study breaks, stress relief and inclusive holiday programs help.
January
A fresh start
New residents arrive and others worry about second-semester grades. Think welcome-back, goals and wellness.
February
Relationships, recognition and cabin fever
Cabin fever, relationship stress and job-search worry. Black History Month, Valentine's Day and RA Recognition Day (third Wednesday).
March
Spring break and what comes next
Midterms again, spring break safety, and room selection. Women's History Month is a common theme.
April
Awareness and RA selection season
Sexual assault awareness, Earth Day, job and housing decisions, and the push toward finals.
May
Finals and closing
Finals, closing procedures and goodbyes. Thank residents, and help them leave well.
June & July
Summer and getting ready
A good time to plan, prepare training and gather ideas for fall.