Many people think of a dorm hallway simply as someplace they live, but it is so much more. The environment and its residents make up what is called a knowledge community. Different than the family dynamic that they are used to, the community acts as a common knowledge among residents.
Audience
As first year students, the individuals that make up the community are wide-ranging coming from various places and backgrounds. Despite the fact that everyone is different, we all get along and support one another. We are able to do things collectively that we would not be able to do on our own. Whether it is helping each other with homework, choosing teachers for the next quarter, or simply giving life advice we are able to work together and share our knowledge.
Every person within the community has something to contribute, and if they feel they do not fit they are able to leave. When this happens, the community will undergo a change. The beauty of a knowledge community, however, is that it adapts. We learn new things from new members who, in turn, make the hallway a better community.
On move in day, my biggest concern was that my roommate and I would not get along. This was quickly dispelled, however. As we were unpacking, we realized that all of our items were the color blue. We discovered that we shared a favorite color, one that would be spread throughout our dorm room. Because of this little fact, we were able to share knowledge with one another and work cohesively form the start. We are different people, but we use our knowledge within ourselves to get along and live together in harmony.
Leader
The dorm is a completely different environment from the home community that we are all used to. There are still rules, but there is also independence. Our RA, Taylor, is the one that keeps us on track, and makes sure we don’t do anything against these rules. He holds the community together and makes sure that we live cohesively with one another. He acts as a kind, support system in case we need anything, and is key to making residents feel as though they can share knowledge with the hall. He is the one that encourages us to maintain the community.
Outside Sources
It is easy to get upset with those who live in your hallway because you are always together. It also makes it easy, however, to become close. Many of my closest friends at DU live in my hallway. Among these, are 5 girls in my sorority Alpha Phi. We are able to collectively bring our knowledge from being in such a strong organization back to our hallway. We spend the majority of our time together and are able to have the strong bond that comes with being part of two amazing groups. Because we all share this common tie, we are able to greater benefit from the knowledge community.
Changing
The knowledge community is always changing, and adapting. As residents, we take not of this and work in order to get our community back to its best shape. We learn new things everyday, and work together in order to make it through freshmen year while having fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment