Too good to be true.

Just because something sounds good, doesn't necessarily mean that it is. I decided to not take the RA job... it was hard for me to admit to myself that my heart wasn't really interested, but I finally reassured myself after 24 hours of contemplating. Being an RA sounds like a great job on paper, but the reality of it is just a load of bullshit. I have many RA friends and I have read the job description several times. But when I declined it last summer, I thought that was the end of it. Every time I ask the dorm RAs what it's like, all they respond with is, if you're doing it for the money, DON'T DO IT. I watched them all of last year and the stresses they go through and the slave-like tendencies the job has. How they have to bring walkie-talkies to class and if unanswered, you may face suspension. One of my RA friends was in Bio with me. We were doing a dissection and her phone rang, but she didn't answer because her hands were dirty. She got suspended and ended up getting fired because of class conflicts. This was last spring. It's funny because the director on the phone claimed that they will work around my class schedule, yet he contradicted himself when his tone of voice changed when I said I had class during the weekly mandatory meetings.

Although I felt like this was a great opportunity, there were just too many negatives. Managing three floors at the dorms. Dealing with potential suicides (there were two last year). Writing people up for noise (bound to happen everyday). Doing programs that no one will attend (let's get real, I never attended any as a dorm resident). Sure there was "free" housing and meals, but the 24 hour shifts, walkie-talkies, and three floors of freshman and sophomore madness that it really didn't seem like worth that large sum of money. And even then, the director (very) briefly mentioned that I "may not" get a full refund for spring semester housing. That right there was a red flag in itself. NOT ONLY THAT, I would have to move out of my current house the same day that I fly back. I hate moving, so fuck it. Plus I hate the idea of enforcing ridiculous rules that I, myself, break continuously. (sleepovers!)

So... although it deeply pains me to reject the opportunity to grow on people skills and leadership, slaving away and inevitably missing class just didn't seem worth it. However, I am still strongly considering finding a job for the semester. Just one that is better suited to my school schedule. :)