Coffee, Tea or Me: Spilling Tea with the RA
Written by Kong
Today, we have a living fossil that is older than fire, with stories as old as time. To many, he is a face that is on the laminated sheet that you see outside the lounge or inside the lift. To the RAs, he is the answer key to all the TYS questions that we might encounter when we are doing our duties. He is the one who inspire others to step up and to pay his kindness forward in this home away from home. Read on to understand why the Old is truly golden here!
This is Ryan
Tell us more about yourself!
Hi. I’m Ryan (?). I am from Panthera and I study Information Systems. I am on my last year, and am facing my quarter-life crisis.
Well, we are here, not for your emotional baggage. Let’s start with something light! Do you have an urban legend to share with us?
Not sure how true it is but there was a rumour that before the digital locks were installed, someone did it first, by himself. However, this is just hear-say la, not sure who is crazy enough.
What’s the deal with you and the dining hall here?
I am one of the representatives in the Dining Hall Committee and our main job involves giving feedback and setting up dining enhancements! So all the Gong Cha didn’t just appear from thin air; we work with vendors outside and bring them in.
I joined this committee as I love food and the aunties are very nice! I feel that dining is an essential part of life in an RC and it is here that we can make some of the best efforts to improve the quality of life. I’ve been doing this since Year 2 when I joined as an RA and I feel that you get to reach the most people and make the most difference in this committee.
Did I mention, free food? You get invited to exclusive food tasting sessions where you eat till you drop!
So, why did you become an RA?
No reason, actually. I thought it was cool to help out in the college, having talked to my seniors who were Student Fellows (we used to call them that back then!). Back then, I was also part of the house committee, so it seemed like the natural progression. I decided to take a chance and apply, and honestly was quite surprised to get it.
What’s the most ridiculous incident that happened you as a Duty RA?
I think one incident that really stands out was when I was alerted by RV security that there was a drunk resident being sent back by campus security. This was around 3 am on a Thursday morning, so I was thoroughly confused when I picked up the duty phone. It was also my first time dealing with drunk residents, so I was hoping that this drunk person would be calm and relaxed. I probably got more than I bargained for; upon seeing the resident, he was fast asleep and could not be woken up. We had no choice but to put him on a wheelchair and leave him in the tower block lounge overnight as there was simply no way to move him back to his room (which was in an OKR block, and I was certainly not going to fireman lift a drunk man up multiple flights of stairs!).
Another incident that I thought was quite funny was a resident calling at 1am saying that there was a wasp in his room. I had literally nothing to tell him apart from leaving the door open and letting the wasp fly out by itself. I think he ended up hiding in the lounge, and when he came back, the wasp was gone.
So, in your opinion, what makes or breaks a good RA?
I think a good RA must have the heart to serve, the will to learn, and the conviction to make the college a better place. I think just having the first is a good start; the rest will definitely follow. An RA should also try to mingle with residents and find out how they are coping – this is something that is definitely challenging (I struggle with this sometimes), but has to be done. If you are interested in making the college a better place, just apply! You’re the kind of people we need, and you’ll learn many things along the way!
What would be your advice for people who want to be an RA?
Try to help out within your house and in the college where you can, and don’t “wayang” – we can see through this! Don’t be afraid to take up roles and leadership positions, this not only helps with your application, but also develops you as a person.
Being here for 4 years, what are some of the greatest changes you’ve seen and felt in RV?
I think the construction and commissioning of RVRC Blk G (annexe building) and the extension of the RV programme were some of the greatest changes I’ve seen in RVRC.
I don’t think many can remember RVRC before Blk G was built, but it was a nice grassy hill. When I first moved in, they were preparing to build the annex building, and my batch saw it come up from nothing. We moved from having lessons in Sem Rm B and D (this was great as it was really convenient – some of my friends have confessed to not brushing their teeth before they came to class!) to having lessons in the Sem Rooms in Block G. We transitioned from using meal vouchers to having an actual dining hall, and I remember how fellow residents tried to sell the vouchers off for cheap near the end of the semester, which was a steal because we could use them at the Royals’ Bistro! My batch was also the last to go through the 1-year RVRC programme, and I think that moving the programme to a 2-year one has greatly benefitted newer residents. The programme is now much more refined, engaging and entertaining, and newer residents (like you all!) really have so many opportunities to tap on to broaden their horizons.
Last Question! What’s your traffic light colour?
Eh eh eh, cannot play Traffic light liao but I am single, available, and ready to mingle!
Inspired by Ryan? Interested to become an RA? Or simply want to mingle with Ryan? Learn about it more during the Town Hall on 12 Feb, 7pm! Deadline is on Valentine’s Day, 14 Feb! Otherwise, stay safe and healthy!
Till then, #ridgeviewblogs
Photo credits: Yogusvi Tewari and Ryan Sim
Thank you Ryan for keeping us constantly strive to be better versions of ourselves