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