Program Possibility: “I’ll Remember You For…”

Submitted by Matt Musgrave, Resident Assistant, University of Northern Iowa

This is a great idea at the end of the year, and it can provide some closure to yourself and your residents. It is called "I'll Remember You for..."

The other day, I was trying to get myself prepared for the end of the year (I wasn't ready to say goodbye to such a great group of guys), when I started thinking about all of my residents. I decided that as a final thing, I would make little notes. I sat down and tried to think of one positive thing about each of my residents that I would remember for a long time. I wrote it down on a piece of paper, and taped it on to their doors (use a bulletin board if you cannot do this at your school). It has definitely helped bring me to terms with the end of the year, because now I know that I won't forget them (which I think was my biggest fear).

A couple of examples:

"I'll remember ANDREW for being someone I could talk to whenever I was in a bad mood.

"I'll remember ROB for teaching me that there are more comics available than what's in the papers."

Not only is this a good way for you to make yourself learn SOMETHING about each of your residents, it's also a good way to let them know how much their actions impacted your life. It helps them understand that you need them as much as they may need you.