Monthly Archives: August 2008

heavy potential in an empty residence hall. There is a distinct, dense feeling of expectation. The empty rooms stand vacant, their front doors open in a gesture of welcome, and the interiors dark and gloomy. Occupants and newly purchased lamps are needed to brighten the atmosphere.

We, the new and veteran residence staff, do not sleep much these days. Our lives have been controlled by strict hours of training, and aside from that we scurry around frantic and stressed in preparation for our incoming charges. The hall has to be ready. The appearance has to be warm. The rooms have to be clean and in solid working condition. Move-in is the most stressful weekend of the year. Emotions run high and delicate, a live wire that each staff member has to step gingerly around to avoid electrocution. Protective and nervous parents snap at us. Their babies, their mostly-grown, yet usually emotionally immature children are really young adults. Let me correct that – after hearing us being degraded with impossible demands to meet by their overanxious parents, the young adults squeak out embarrassed, “Oh Mooooom, Daaaaaad, it’s fiiiine, reaaaaally” and give us apologetic, panic-driven smiles. Some of these kids are going to hate us in a few days when they equate us with being nothing more than killjoys.

They rarely acknowledge, remember, or consider the thousands of things we do before their arrival or throughout the course of the year. Some of them are saved, literally, by our efforts – lives transformed by a critical 911 call or trusting us with a private issue, but most of the time, the extent of our impact, if any at all, remains unknown to us.

Yes, there is heavy potential right now. I conduct my rounds swiftly, the building nearly empty, the ball of worry in my chest clenching ever so slightly, only enough to reach mild awareness status and not a full blown attack of nerves. Some of them will hate me soon. Some will appreciate me. Others will be completely indifferent. No matter their responses, I am prepared to help them succeed, and reach for the potential lingering in the echoing hallways, calling from within their pre-assigned rooms.

I can stand the verbal abuse, the minor physical threats, and even the long hours. My job is too important to me now, my purpose so clear and worthwhile that the worst of days are better than any day would be during my college career without it now. This role changed me, shaped me into who I always thought I could be.

I learn more every day. My confidence increases with every greeting, only faltering at the mishaps and occasions of being the brunt of one’s guilt or wrongdoing. One day left until move-in. Only one.