Krupp Resident Mentor | Laura and Kids
The Jacobs University community is held together not only by its students, but also by the resident mentors and the resident associates. They make sure that student life runs as smoothly as possible and that peace prevails among the student body. So, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Resident Mentors are playing a pivotal role in holding the community together and making sure every question is answered.
In a (video) interview, our four RMs from the different residential colleges told us how their responsibilities have increased during this time and how they’re coping with the current situation.
How do you think your responsibilities as the RM have increased in these times?
Catherine Paro: First time ever in my professional life that I had to think about how professional and personal life coincide, figure out what it means to have both aspects of your life come together, how are families are affected by this.
Laura Smith: The professional and private is coming together and we are trying to manage this professionally, while also trying to manage it personally. Some of us are in a higher risk group and we have to look after our own mental health. We have to make sure our families are not too much at risk and we have to be supporting people from a distance. It’s hard to say I’m here for you from the other side of the screen and it makes me feel like can’t do my job well enough.
Catherine Paro: We’re all facing the same anxiety and fear of the unknown, like everyone else, and we’re the ones who have to be there for everyone. Not having answers has been difficult.
Robert Rennie: Splitting professional and private is quite difficult. We’re working in the same place we’re living; you see and you hear and you have the influence from the media, and how it effects everyone right outside the window.
Laura Smith: We’re all part of a very big problem, if we all do our part, we’ll be doing everyone a favour.
Mercator Resident Mentor | Adilah and kids
How are you aiming to keep morale high among the students?
Laura: We’re trying to convey the importance of being open with information and trying to answer as many questions. We’re not hiding information in any way; transparency is an important part of keeping morale high.
Rob: We are working with our college office teams who have the same demographic as every student so that we can effectively convey information. They’re working very hard to keep everyone happy.
Adilah: Completely different challenge around this time and the college office is only trying to keep the community alive
What is something you are doing personally, to keep yourself occupied during quarantine?
Catherine: 30 Day Yoga Challenge and I downloaded Disney+ !!
Laura: Kids are a good distraction!
Adilah: With kids around, we’re not bored!
Laura: I have been working out with the kids with the help of a Yoga App and I’m eating like a house right now! If I weren’t doing exercise I’d be the size of a house!
Rob: Trying to stay motivated by going for a quick run or a walk. It’s not my thing, but I’ve been watching some YouTube Yoga videos and I’ve also pulled out my piano learning books!
Nordmetall Resident Mentor | Catherine
Adilah: I actually wish I had more time! I don’t have the time to find new hobbies!
Something you’re looking forward to after all this is over:
Rob: Going out for dinner
Laura: Meeting people again without having to stand 2m away from them
Adilah: One to one interaction
Catherine: It’s been hard without Laura, Adilah and Rob and not seeing all of you almost every day. So I’m looking forward to that!
Rob: That’s the thing. We’re human too! It’s hard for us as well. We’re colleagues but we’re neighbours and friends, and we have same struggle you guys do. We miss hanging out with each other and we’re living through this nightmare too. We also miss the personal touch; we do our jobs because we love social contact, we like to be there for people. It’s tough, not being able to do that.
One message of safety and precaution to students:
C3 Resident Mentor | Rob
Rob: Seriously listen to all the stuff chancellors and the presidents are telling you. It could be us, could be your family, could be you.
Catherine: Pretend like you have it because you could.
Laura: There could be carriers on campus and so, being responsible is very important.
One encouraging message to the students:
Rob: It’ll all be over soon
Everyone: We’re all in this together!!
BY USHASHI BASU (INDIA) | CLASS OF 2020
