Changes in the Wind

Roughly two years ago I moved to the state of Kansas and in doing so moved to a far windier location than I ever had lived.  Moved into a quintessential house, in a quaint neighborhood and settled in for what I thought was going to be a quiet life.  However, things sort of got shook up for me a bit and I definitely had the wind taken out of my sails.  Despite the change and challenge the wind brought, it ultimately brought opportunity.  It reminded me of things that were important to me.  Things I thought and cared for fifteen and twenty years ago were things I still wanted and still cared for.  Life long relationships were still that, and I still had a desire to experience new things.  I recalled that as a student in high school I wanted to write, I wanted to travel, and I wanted to meet many different people.  Perhaps a little delayed, but now I get to.  And while the wind may still blow (and most certainly here in the state of Kansas), I feel far more at peace and settled than I have in quite some time and like the direction that I am heading.  Thanks to those near and dear to me that helped me get there . . .

Residence Life Learning

Residence Life Learning at Kansas State University

By Melissa A Winter

Coordinator for Leadership Development

This summer our first year students and many of our faculty and staff, were engaged in some active reading about the “Girl on Fire,” a reference given to the main character, Katniss Everdeen of the fictional novel and first in a trilogy series “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins. The campus was abuzz with talk about the book and its sequels and it was fun to see and hear comments from fellow readers. The book follows the life and interactions of Katniss and her struggles with daily living as well as the challenges that she faces as a result of her government and the unique circumstances that she is presented with.

The book presented very interesting discussion points including issues of ethics, war, friendship, loyalty, challenge and adversity just to name a few. It presented issues that in some ways we on an everyday basis are faced with, but may not acknowledge or realize that we are going through at the time.  It also illustrates how many individuals need to learn things from experience, as well as learn from others in order to grow and develop. Additionally we also can often learn from those that we may not think are able to teach us including those that are younger than us or someone that simply comes from a different background or has a different experience.

It reminds me of the message that we give to our students that living in the residence halls is an engaging and insightful experience (although not quite as dangerous as the life that Katniss experienced!). Students as they progress learn not just from faculty and staff, but also from fellow students and sometimes even from a housekeeper that lives in their building or even a dining service worker that they see on a daily basis. Even I as a student affairs staff member who has worked professionally in student affairs for over ten years gets to continue to learn on a daily basis and am excited to work in a fun and engaging profession! And so while sometimes challenges are presented to our students living within our residence halls and apartment communities remember the opportunities that abound because of them. And that while at times things may seem difficult, think about the things that you are actually gaining and not what you may be missing out on.