Cultural Enrichment: My time at the Camp Roanoke RA Confrence

Earlier in November, the Richard Bland Collge office of Residence Life Team decided to take 6 RA's to an overnight conference at Roanoke College. This was an all expense paid trip for me also including free meals and a beautiful hotel to stay in. The whole purpose of the conference is to allow other RA's to connect with the other RA's at colleges statewide (VA).

At the conference, 3 schools really stood out to me and they were: Norfolk State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Old Dominion University. From the time these 3 colleges walked in I knew that I would potentially be the school I decide to transfer too. They all were so nice and really treated me like family. However on the day od the conference I decided that I would be attending...... ODU. The RA's at the college really treated me like they knew me for years and they also made me feel very welcomed and I am glad that I met the ODU residence life student staff.

At the conference, I tried a lot of new things. From eating new foods and snacks to shooting funny videos with RBC RA team. The RA Conference reality allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. I would have never imagined me stepping out of my zone and talking to literally every school in the state of VA. It was a really a great day. I even started my first bonfire by myself despite a couple burns and bruises along the journey. Life is all about trying new things and meeting people to me and the conference really allowed to accomplish both of those things. I am excited about attending the conference again in the fall of next year with ODU this time lol.

Personal Enrichment: Semester Ending RA Event

Smooth out your college life RA Event

As you, all might already know I am a resident assistant for Freedom Hall. One of our job tasks is to plan events every month. My theme for the month of December along with other Resident Assistants in my building is the simple fact that we should all just have a "smooth" and "chill" week during exams and that we didn't have to be nearly as stressed out as other students are. We wanted to promote programs that help students really relax so that they don't enter into finals week stressed out.

This was a fun event basically we brought a lot of different assorted fruits and lined them up buffet style on a table and allowed residents to pick two fruits and we would make them a corresponding smoothie. After everyone's smoothie was made we engaged in an intellectual conversation about how different fruits stimulate cognitive development. It was an awesome event hosted by me and I was glad that residents enjoyed the program.

Overall this program was very successful. I had people come out that hardly ever leave the room to come make a smoothie and talk with me. This is truly what programs are about. I enjoyed the fact that I created something that was very beneficial to other students. Here are some pictures of students at the event. About 40 students attended this event.

Financial Literacy

I entered into college in the fall of 2015. With $1,000 in my bank account. I was very careful with money, I tired to use my meal plan to it's capacity and I also tried to refrain from careless spending. Today 1 year later I still have 500.00 of this money left. I plan to double this over the summer by working 2 jobs and saving as I go I plan to save 100 dollars each month over the summer which will be 500.00 and do the process over again. Entering into college with $1,000 can truly last you for a while if you are not stupid with your money.

Delegate Aird's "Journey To Leadership"

I had the opportunity to interview Delegate Aird, who is the Representative of the 63rd district for the house of delegates. We talked all about leadership and she gave me some tools to further my community involvement.

What's First?

"There was a lot of different avenues in regards to where I am currently". She urged me to get involved in a professional internship. She said being exposed to a cooperate feel, prepares you for the professional environment. She encouraged me to learn more lessons 

What Skills Do I Need?

Hunger and Drive are the most important skills to be a effective leader. 

What's Next?

She wants to do everything she can do for the people who she represents.

Last words of advice: In anything you do, be effective and ensure results. 

Academic News

I got a 100 on my Bio Final
I got a 95 on Statistics Final

I will most likely have an 4.0 this semester if I nail this exam Friday!  Wish me luck!!  

Reflection on College Life

My College Life The Good Bad and the Ugly

College life for me has overall been great. I sometimes get jealous that the college doesn't really offer much campus things to do that are "lit". I see my friends at other universities engaged in so many things, from meeting Michelle Obama to The Weekend. As far as the good goes in college life, I will say that academically I have been challenged and I have maintained a 3.5 GPA and I am elated regarding that accomplishment. As far as the bad goes, RBC as a whole could use some more organization, it seems like everything is made up or added as you go, nothing seems to be set in stone for the students. Overall on a scale of 1-10, my college experience here at RBC is about a 7, but I know it will get better!