After taking the Gallup Strengths Finder 2.0 self-assessment, I was informed that my top five strengths respectively are input, positivity, developer, empathy and adaptability. In contrast to an individual’s talents, strengths represent an individual’s consistent, near perfect qualities. After reading the descriptions for each of my top five strengths, I can clearly identify as to how each of them describes me as a person and as a student.

Firstly, the self-assessment informed me of my input strengths. Oddly enough, the description of input as the tendency for a person to inquisitively collect things such as information or tangible objects describes me perfectly. I have always had a strong curiosity in wanting to know a great deal about countless different things; I love to learn. I can identify my input strengths in my everyday life for I enjoy collecting things, even if they will not be of use to me in the future. I also like to keep an open mind to new thoughts and opinions. Relating to my academics, even if I struggle to grasp a new concept, I still feel a desire to study and understand it.

As glass-half-full kind of person, I confirmed of my positive qualities from the self-assessment for positivity was my second strongest strength. I can thoroughly relate to the description provided about positivity stating that positive people remain optimistic and generously praise the doing of others. From my point of view, I see myself as having these characteristics for I handle failure well. If a situation does end well or end as planned, I try to find the best in what happened: I do not like to focus on the negative aspects of an occasion. By maintaining a hopeful and lighthearted outlook on life, I am able to move forward easily. My positive characteristics shine through in my academics for I am able to celebrate achievements and complete tasks with enthusiasm.

For my third strength, I was assigned developer. Tying in with the positivity strength of being able to see the best in everything, a developer is described as an individual who can notice potential in others and push them to reach that potential. I see myself as more of a subconscious developer because I do not think I am upfront or direct in the way that I wish to help other grow. On a personal note, I dream of everyone being able to become their best self. Exhibiting features of a developer, I often find myself drawn to others who I believe I can help motivate to grow. Connecting back to the classroom, when I think that I fully comprehend a certain concept, I feel obligated and excited to teach and help others understand it as well.

Empathy was provided by the self-assessment as my fourth strength. The strength of empathy associates itself with an individual’s capability of being able to sense another person’s feelings. As someone who feels deeply about a lot of things, I agree that I am an empathetic person. It is easy and intuitive for me to understand how another person feels based on circumstantial context. By placing myself in another person’s shoes, I am able to share his or her perspective. I can help others express verbally what they might feel and foresee what they could need. I guess that in relationship to my life as a student, I am able to connect with other students by exchanging thoughts and feelings on different assignments and classes.

Lastly, adaptability was appointed as my fifth strength. This final strength of adaptability affirms my enjoyment of living in the moment rather than focusing too intensely on what happened in the past or what will happen in the future. In being adaptable, I have a mindset that reacts well to unexpected changes or sudden requests. I can acclimate well to change for being flexible is not difficult for me. In joint with my education, I can adjust from different teaching styles and different subject matters with ease. I enjoy going with the flow and accomplishing tasks as they come my way.

After discovering my top five strengths, I more specifically recognize and comprehend my tendencies and personal characteristics. My future goals have become more certain in confirming what I can do well. I think that if I focus on my strengths and use them to their full extent, I will be able to achieve my future personal and professional ambitions. On a personal level, my strengths will help me build deeper relationships with people in my life. My unique set of strengths will push me to achieve all short and long term goals that I create for myself.