If you head up the main stairwell and go two doors down in the Second East dorm hall, you will find a desolate nook of success and organization. This is the habitat of RA and 4-year senior James Martin. For four years, Martin has been a cornerstone of the Northwood community, serving as a resident assistant for the last 4 semesters in the East halls. While that may seem like a tall task, Martin expertly keeps the behavior on the hall in check while also maintaining a top GPA schoolwide and playing a key role on the U19 soccer team.
Photo: Noah Moodey ’26.
Martin keeps a relatively clean and sparse room, but the few details carry significant meaning. The giant red-and-white flag on the wall bears the emblem of his homeland, Hong Kong, which he says helps him feel closer to home and reminds him of why he’s here at Northwood. The three shelves in the corner are neatly organized into 3 sectors: soccer, snacks, and literature. His efficient personality is displayed in the layout of the shelves as he can always grab and go whatever he needs, whether he needs a book for class, his gear for training, or just a snack to tide him over till the next mealtime, it’s all there, ready to go.
Photo: Noah Moodey ’26.
In front of his room is the productive sector; here he keeps his yoga mat rolled out, ready to go for both his stretching and core routines, which he makes sure to do every weeknight. “I just find that doing habits such as these really help keep me grounded and focused; it allows me to better myself each day and maximize my performance on and off the field,” James said.
Studying is a big part of James’s life, and as such, the environment needs to be optimal for it. A big part of the study environment James has created is the room’s lighting and ambiance. He has a set of L.E.Ds running under his bed, which form an under-glow of sorts, and another set of lights running up to the top corners of the room, which provide a nice overall ambiance. This allows him to set various tones and moods in his room, helping him in multiple ways.
Photo: Noah Moodey ’26.
The final aspect of James’ room, which is different than the rest, is the collection of basketball cards that sit on his desk. This has been a long-standing hobby of his, which has come to fruition this year. While most aren’t very valuable, there are a few he holds dear for both their value and sentimental meaning. This is just a small touch, but it adds a lot more character to the room.
So, in conclusion, while it may not seem like a very flashy or extravagant room, Martin has built a habitat that suits his style on and off the field. Many hidden key factors allow James to continue his amazing Northwood career, and he contributes significantly to the success of the environments he creates for himself.