So, it’s spring semester and you’re ready to venture out of your room or at least put more in more of an effort to be more social in your residence hall. Great! It’s never too late to join the party. Residence halls are more than just living spaces, they are a wonderful community that you and the rest of your dorm mates build together. Here are 3 things to get you jump started.
Talk to your Resident Assistants
Talk to your Resident Assistant! They were hired to be a resourceful guide for you! Plus, they were once in your shoes. Do not be afraid to ask for help or hesitate to talk to them. If your Resident Assistant is not around, talk to other RAs in the building. All RAs on staff are there to help every student living in the residence halls.
Don’t forget to knock!
We understand your privacy is important but a guaranteed way to increase your opportunities for social interaction is to leave your door open. There are unspoken rules about door etiquette. Think of it as a status update:
- Wide open – Come in! Available to talk and hangout.
- Half way open – Available. Knock and open the door slowly at the same time, but ready to talk and hang out.
- Door cracked – Available, but please knock
- Closed – While this is obvious, it is also where the boundaries blur. Close your door often and it could be perceived as shutting everyone off. That doesn’t mean it’s a terrible thing, but if you want to increase your odds of meeting your neighbors, then closing your door often decreases those chances.
Residence Hall Social/Educational Programs
All Resident Assistants are required to plan social and educational programs for the students living in the residence halls. There are two types of events – one building wide and one for their specific wing.
The list of social and educational programs are incredibly diverse, ranging from a simple dinner with your hallmates to learning about sustainability. Sometimes, RAs on staff will team up for a co-wing event. Absolutely take advantage of these as they are a great way to meet people from other parts of your building.
In the end, your experiences in your residence halls is up to you to decide. After all, it is your new home for the next two semesters, so you might as well make it a positive one! A big part of growth is learning and experiencing new things. So, get out of your room, open the door, and live.
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