My freshman year of college I lived in Cougar Village II.  I didn’t really know that many people, so I started hanging out with a group of people down in the lobby.  One day I went down to get a package from the front desk and out of curiosity asked the desk assistants if they worked there or if they were just volunteering.  They said they worked there and told me how to apply for the desk assistant position.  I ended up getting the job and worked there for the rest of my freshman year.  At the time, I had an off-campus job but decided this was way more convenient for me, so I decided to exclusively work for Student Housing and Residential Life. 

Soon after I found out I could potentially become a Resident Advisor in my sophomore year, I applied and was selected.  I am now currently an RA in Cougar Village II and I love it.  My favorite thing about being an RA is seeing my residents grow as people. I had one resident who was very shy at the beginning of the semester and ended up being very involved towards the end with a position on the homecoming board.

Being an RA has also helped me develop leadership skills.  I am currently responsible for 32 residents who look up to me as a mentor and every day brings new challenges.  I definitely think this is a skill that will benefit me after I graduate.

Honestly, I think the biggest benefit of living and working on campus is the sense of community and the social connections you make with others. By living here, you have more of an incentive to join a campus organization and get involved, which makes you feel like you’re a part of the community.

Living on campus also allowed me to take more credit hours than if I was commuting.  I was actually able to take enough classes to add another minor to my degree because it’s just so convenient and everything you need is right here. The convenience alone is enough to make me want to encourage others to live on campus. Academic resources, the diverse Houston food, and even a rock climbing wall at the Rec! There's just nothing better.