ResLife from an RA's Perspective

So you’ve been admitted to Barnard. Congratulations! But whether you’re still deliberating or #BarnardorBust, you’re probably plagued by concerns about how your life will look and feel at college. And naturally, you’ll be spending most of your time—sleeping, socializing, relaxing, or baking—in the dorms. As a former first-year turned first-year focus RA, I’m here to give an insider look on different elements of residential life at Barnard and the tips that helped me (and later my residents) survive this transition. 

1. Your Roommate

You’ll receive a brief survey in the summertime to list your basic living preferences—the obvious ones, like when you sleep and if you’re messy or neat—and the subtler distinctions—if you’d feel comfortable living with an emotional support animal and whether you view your room as a social or quiet space. You’re then matched with your roommate (no algorithms!) and able to reach out to them via email or social media before you meet in person to discuss what items each of you will bring (fridge, cleaning supplies, etc.) so you don’t occupy more space than necessary. 

This sounds obvious, but it bears repeating considering how important it is: empathetic but direct communication with your roommate is essential. Some of you will be best friends with your roommate; some of you will be friends, but not your #1s; others will simply share the space. None of these options are wrong or anyone’s fault, but the result of you and your roommate’s unique personalities and circumstances. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable living in the space together. This means being upfront about your preferences and saying what bothers you when it happens. Using “I” statements is advised, and being aware of your tone is important. It’s best to have these conversations at the beginning of the year before patterns develop. Your RA will ask you to fill out a “roommate contract” that will guide these conversations. I recommend taking your time on it and having thoughtful, honest discussions. 

2. The Dorm Itself & The Shared Spaces

The setups of the Barnard dorms are varied and unique (just like Barnard students!) If you’re living in Brooks Hall, you might be living in a quad, which consists of 2 smaller doubles and a common space for the quad area. If you’re living in Sulzberger, you might be living in a traditional double or a slightly larger triple. This will all be made clear when you receive your housing assignment before moving in. The dorms are by no means sprawling, but there is enough room for you and your roommate to have your own personal space. All dorms have a bed, a desk, drawers, a mirror, a trash can, and a wardrobe or closet for hanging items. I found that there is lots of storage space and didn’t have trouble fitting my items. That said, there is no need for two fridges within a single dorm, so it’s good to communicate with your roomie(s) beforehand. 

All dorms are corridor style, which means bathrooms are shared by the entire floor. As each hall is connected in the quad, there are at least 4 bathrooms on every floor. I’d recommend an easy-to-carry shower caddy and a velcro towel (sounds weird, but it’s been a lifesaver) for your shower trips. The idea of bathrooms shared by an entire floor scared me at first—I assumed I’d be endlessly waiting in lines—but none of my fears have been realized yet. You rarely have to wait, and if a bathroom seems especially popular, you only have to walk down the hallway. I picked my favorite shower at the beginning of the year to give myself a sense of routine and regularity.

There is also a lounge on every floor with a stove, microwave, TV, and couches. You can use this space to cook some comfort food or host movie nights with friends, and your RA’s programs will likely take place here.

3. Your RA and The Floor Community

Many of my close friends today were made on my first-year floor (Sulz-Reid 3 forever!). These are the people you’re bumping into the most regularly—my roommate Emily met our close friend Sophie because they listened to the same music in the shower. During NSOP, a lot of people leave their doors open, inviting people to come in and chat. This is a great way to find some familiar faces and see if you have any common interests, even though it might be awkward at first. 

Your RA will also help establish a sense of community on your floor. I recommend attending the programs they host first semester—not only because they’re a great time, but because they’re a low-pressure, casual way to get to know new people. Other than programming, your RA is a great resource (for logistical information and personal experiences) and peer-mentor. While they do not have the answers to every question, they can usually put you in contact with someone who does. And trust me when I say your RA is eager to get to know you all! You can get to know them during programming, office hours, or email them to set up a time to grab lunch or get coffee. 

There’s much more to be said about residential life, and a lot will be learned from personal experience. That said, your RA and other Barnard students are here to help in the transition. 

- Audrey Pettit