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Christina Maples
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connection before. This extends to future professional development as a benefit for having the
ability to communicate effectively.
Outside of the academic practices are the experiences directly linked to the Residential
Leader position. These experiences lay the foundation for professional development that is
beneficial in the future. Among the many skills learned are the two most key influences that will
have a meaningful real-world application. These two skills are leadership and communication.
In every situation outside of the classroom, as well as in, there is a need for successful
communication. Successful communication also involves leadership roles whenever preparing
for an event or dealing with a crisis. This skills will be frequently used in the real world, either in
their home or in their work place. The ability to use these skills and know how they are all
interconnected is beneficial, and the understanding of how these are interconnected is learned
through the Residential Leader position.
The skills learned in the courses every potential leader has to go through prepared us for
the foundation of key skills that would be created during their time servicing their halls. These
skills carry on into the areas outside of the leadership classes to allow them to apply these skill in
group projects and time management. By applying these new time management skills within
their academics, they are unknowingly mastering skills that are going to be used for the rest of
their life, including in the professional world. In addition to better preparing leaders for their own
real world experiences, they are allowed time to re-assess many of the stereotypes and
misconceptions in order to formulate their own opinions.
I was raised in a very traditional family and was introduced to many stereotypes. During
my position, I was able to further explore these preconceptions and discover my own misplaced
bias. Although I never truly agreed with most of what I grew up hearing, I was surprised to learn
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that I had many of my own misconceptions that were quickly displaced by the greater
understanding that came with getting to know my own residents. With everything this year has
brought, I was allowed to understand that the benefits of being in such a position as well as
analyze the global issues within my own experience.
Although I felt that I was well prepared for everything this position threw at me, there
were a few times where I was unprepared for something that I would not have ever believed I
would have to deal with. In crisis management we were told how to handle medical crisis;
however, we were not told how to handle a mental crisis that did not involve suicide thoughts.
When concerning residents with mental health issues that do not pertain to or exclude
depression, I feel like I was not able to properly assist residents. Many students suffer from
anxiety, and some students suffer from severe panic attacks. People respond differently to things
in such situations, and it was not discussed how to determine what actions are required under
these circumstances. Although the training for this position is extensive and it is difficult to cover
everything that is essential, there are many things that are not addressed during the training for
this position. This has the potential to become a global issue, and every potential leader must
understand there will always be something that happens that they will not be prepared for.
The ability to handle situations you are not prepared for is an important ability to have
and is something that the many leaders will encounter. The many disciplines Residential Leaders
learn are interconnected with their day-to-day lives will be carried on into their future
professional careers. These valuable experiences, both within and outside of the discipline, will
be a defining feature in their lives.
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