What upsets me is when kids have this notion of thinking: "Oh man, well I don't have an apartment next year..so I guess I'll just be an RA and live in the dorms for free."  Oh my Fing God...seriously.  You would be surprised how many students just do it because they get free room and board.

Honestly, is that a good reason to do this?  Funnily enough, those people have NO idea what they're getting themselves into.  It looks easy from the other end, but I am informed enough to know the responsibilities of an RA...it is a hell of a commitment.  So I imagine that IF you get the job (usually they can pick out who really wants it vs. who is screwing around), they will pretty much be fucked when they realize how much work it is.  They could never anticipate the amount of work.

I really want this job, I really want to work with my residents and have these experiences.  THe money is something I could care less about.

I just don't understand, I see these kids applying and have never seen them at one residence hall event, EVER.  In fact, i helped put a program together and this particular guy looked in, rolled his eyes, and left.  What a jerk, he now thinks he wants to be an RA.  Oh god...

Does anyone else agree/?

Money is a great motivating factor.

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"When, I wonder, and where will there be relief?"
But he knew the answer: never and nowhere.

It also kind of irked me when people would apply, knowing they'd probably get the position, but also knowing that they'd turn it down...then I'd see some of my great friends not get accepted! Those people who applied, knowing full well they wouldn't take the job ("just to see if I'd make it") took the potential spots for some of my friends. How frustrating.

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So when you're happy (Hurray!), or sad (Aw!),
Or frightened (Eeek!), or mad (Rats!)
An interjection starts a sentence right.

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I've been thinking about applying as an RA, but since it's rather expensive to go here for my father, he's pushing me to be an RA in order to help cut away some of the cost. I sometimes don't feel I can take on the responsibility, but I don't have much a choice.

Money is a great motivating factor.

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I understand that a lot of people cannot afford college and that all the money helps....

But honestly, I swear to God that if I hear one more kid at my school say "Oh I'm only doing it cause my mom is forcing me to, or cause my dad wants to me to" I am going to literally go over to their parent's home and kick them in the balls.

Literally.

Yes, money is tight.  But guess what?  Your mother and father ARE NOT the ones who are going to be dealing with residents and they have NO idea how much work it will be.  You might be a sucky, horrible RA to someone cause your family THOUGHT they knew what was best for you.

Money is motivating, yes.  Family is motivating, yes.  But it only takes you so far.  You will burn out fast.

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Quote: from Lulu Nobody at 12:18 pm on Feb. 5, 2008

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I've been thinking about applying as an RA, but since it's rather expensive to go here for my father, he's pushing me to be an RA in order to help cut away some of the cost. I sometimes don't feel I can take on the responsibility, but I don't have much a choice.  

 Money is a great motivating factor.

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I understand that a lot of people cannot afford college and that all the money helps....

But honestly, I swear to God that if I hear one more kid at my school say "Oh I'm only doing it cause my mom is forcing me to, or cause my dad wants to me to" I am going to literally go over to their parent's home and kick them in the balls.

Literally.

Yes, money is tight.  But guess what?  Your mother and father ARE NOT the ones who are going to be dealing with residents and they have NO idea how much work it will be.  You might be a sucky, horrible RA to someone cause your family THOUGHT they knew what was best for you.

Money is motivating, yes.  Family is motivating, yes.  But it only takes you so far.  You will burn out fast.

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If you reread my post, I said I was thinking about it on my own. When I mentioned it, my dad pushed it for essentially monetary reasons.

Don't lump me in with those people that annoy you.

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"When, I wonder, and where will there be relief?"
But he knew the answer: never and nowhere.

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The way you phrased it, it did seem much more like your father was pushing you rather than you wanted to.

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He is pushing it, but it wasn't his idea originally.

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"When, I wonder, and where will there be relief?"
But he knew the answer: never and nowhere.