According to resident assistant Braden Kriegel, a junior occupational therapy major, some of the best college lessons aren’t learned in the classroom. They are the experiences gained in other activities, such as The University of Findlay’s Residence Life Program.
Res-Life, as it is affectionately called by students involved with the program, stresses student involvement in campus activities as well as building relationships with the people around you. The Res-Life staff also offers a great opportunity for students to make new friends and learn valuable skills that can be applied to any career.
“Res-Life has opened my eyes to a whole new world. It’s shown me a new way of looking at things,” Kriegel said. “At the same time, it’s created a lot of opportunities to make some good friends. Being in Res-Life teaches you a lot about interacting with others. It has helped me to gain a new perspective on different cultures and ways of life as well as improved my problem solving and confrontation skills that I will need the rest of my life.”
The program includes a resident assistant on each resident floor or housing area and a resident director for each facility. The Res-Life staff is responsible for planning programs for residents, relaying important information and sometimes solving conflict or lending a listening ear.
Though Res-Life demands a significant time commitment, Braden also finds time for other campus activities, including the Student Oiler Club, the Student Occupational Therapy Association, a job on campus, intramurals and volunteering at St. Rita’s Medical Center. Of all his experiences, Braden feels that Res-Life is an important opportunity to add to his credentials.
“Residence Life is a completely unique experience that I don’t think could be compared to many other things. The best part of it is a combination of the people you get to know and the new experiences you gain. Most of the staff is a pretty close-knit group,” he said. “The things I go through while on staff will ultimately prepare me for the future.”
Braden admits that being involved with Residence Life will force you to stretch your boundaries and step out of your comfort zone, but he says the pros outweigh the cons.
“I like to have the opportunity to make a difference and Res-Life gives me that opportunity. It’s hard to resist a good challenge and that’s what being a member of Res-Life can be – a challenge with awesome rewards,” he added.
