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Strengths and Academics

Take a look at some strategies below that can help you use your Signature Themes to achieve various goals in your academic life. Locate and examine the strategies that are customized to your Signature Themes. As you do this, you may want to consider the items that are already helping you in you studying and those that may help you achieve at an even greater level of excellence.

The insight following insights and action ideas can help you apply talents to achieve in various aspects of your academic life.

Domain: Relationship Building

People exceptionally talented in the Includer theme accept others. They show awareness of those who feel left out and make an effort to include them.

Study techniques:

  • Study with other people. If an individual is not talking much, ask them to contribute to the conversation
  • Invite new people to study with you and your friends
  • Create a study group that has a mixture of vocal people as well as shy people. Encourage discussion from both sides.

Academic tips:

  • When split into small groups for class projects, encourage each group member to contribute ideas
  • Make an effort to talk to individuals in class who seem more shy
  • Attend webinars or speeches from an individual with a different background. Introduce yourself to other individuals attending the session.

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in a class that is known for having a diverse student population
  • Enroll in classes that highly value class participation and discussion
  • Explore service-learning opportunities that will allow you to work with other people

Domain: Relationship Building

People exceptionally talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how different people can work together productively.

Study techniques:

  • Create a study group with individuals who have differing opinions and views on situations. Not only will you help them find commonalities, but you will also learn about different perspectives.
  • Take notes about how textbooks or authors create uniqueness is how they are writing or telling a story

Academic tips:

  • Read about people. Their uniqueness will keep you interested.
  • Continually observe others around you. How they learn, the types of questions they ask. See how your learning style is different and how it’s the same.

Courses that may excite you:

  • Look for classes that offer lots of discussion and opportunities to learn from peers
  • Look for professors who value diversity and bringing different types of people together
  • Enroll in classes where the main study is people

Domain: Strategic Thinking

People exceptionally talented in the Input theme have a need to collect and archive. They may accumulate information, ideas, artifacts or even relationships.

Study techniques:

  • Give yourself deadlines when researching certain topics that way you will know when to finish, rather than feeling like you have no end to the information you are working to gather
  • Keep track of deadlines through a planner or sticky notes
  • Prioritize your assignments

Academic tips:

  • Save all notes from previous classes as references
  • Start a file for potential articles that you would like to explore and read more about
  • Seek time to explore information that is beyond your courses

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in research-heavy courses
  • You will enjoy professors who are extremely knowledgeable in their topic of study
  • Look at enrolling in discussion-based courses where you can share in the knowledge and passion of your professor

Domain: Strategic Thinking

People exceptionally talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

Study techniques:

  • If a class or assignment is frustrating you, take a step back and process what is happening and what needs to be done. Return to the class or assignment with a fresh view.
  • Study to learn and understand, not just to memorize
  • Take time to plan thoughts out before writing a paper or publicly speaking

Academic tips:

  • Research topics that interest and engage you
  • Contemplate and plan out your academic goals
  • Follow your intellectual curiosity

Courses that may excite you:

  • Classes that require analytical thinking
  • Choose professors that require careful and critical thinking in their course

Domain: Strategic Thinking

People exceptionally talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Study techniques:

  • Join engaging study groups
  • Be in an environment that best suits your learning style
  • Find correlations between classes and lessons

Academic tips:

  • Read outside material related to topics that you are studying. This will allow you to learn different perspectives and form educated opinions
  • Go into every experience with the intention of learning something new. Even if it is a class that you feel you will not be interested in.
  • Always ask yourself "What did I learn from this?"

Courses that may excite you:

  • Choose courses that will continually challenge you and make you question information that you may not know. You will be more engaged.
  • Look for research opportunities with professors

Domain: Influencing

People exceptionally talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

Study techniques:

  • Find environments where you feel most comfortable and feel productive to get things done
  • Reflect on what your learning style is, what you need to gain the most from a classroom experience and your professors, and what excites you when you are learning about new topics
  • Understand how you can manage your weaknesses when studying

Academic tips:

  • Before enrolling for a class, identify how you can utilize your strengths when doing assignments, projects, etc
  • Look into finding a faculty mentor that can help you maximize your learning beyond the classroom experience and your textbooks. This will help you understand how to apply it to real-life experiences and make the most of your learning.

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in classes where a professor teaching style works best with your learning style
  • Explore classes that will allow you to expand old skills and learn new skills. This will also continue to help you explore areas that may bring you interest in your future.
  • Enroll in a class with group projects

Domain: Relationship Building

People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Study techniques:

  • Find active and upbeat study partners
  • Think of fun and motivating ways to remember lessons. You may use rhymes, songs, activities or quotes.
  • Assist others in finding excitement in an assignment or project

Academic tips:

  • Encourage exciting classroom discussion
  • Assist in making learning fun and engaging. Make sure that new techniques for learning are always used. IF you use the same technique over and over, you will get bored and will lose excitement.
  • Help classmates relax and de-stress when needed

Courses that may excite you:

  • Take classes you find exciting and meaningful
  • Research the professor and see if they have a positive teaching approach

Domain: Relationship Building

People exceptionally talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Study techniques:

  • Form study groups with close friends. Invite a new member from the class. Make sure that the study groups is small.
  • Have discussions about class lectures outside of class
  • At the study group, everyone shares the key details of the reading that they thought were most important

Academic tips:

  • Look for friends who have the same academic goals in mind
  • Seek a mentor that has a genuine interest in your growth. Potentially find a mentor who has/had the same field of study as you, was from the same area as you or has another similar connection to you.
  • Make a new friend in each of your classes. Connect with them on social media or exchange phone numbers in case one of you all has questions or if you want to find a way to study together

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in classes where you already have a stable relationship with the professor
  • Choose classes taught by professors that encourage the class to be more of a community. These may be professions that encourage class discussion, that connect you all together outside of the classroom or encourage you all to find connections outside of the course work.
  • Please note for you, it is just as important to build a relationship with the professor as it is to learn the material being taught in the course

Domain: Executing

People exceptionally talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

Study techniques:

  • Schedule specific study times for each of your classes throughout the week
  • Keep track of main ideas or vocabulary when reading an assignment. You can do this by highlighting vocabulary or writing it down on post-its and going back through it after you complete your reading.
  • List out important dates once you receive the syllabus. Make sure that you compile all of these important dates for all of your classes in one place, or it may get overwhelming.

Academic tips:

  • Know the expectations of the class as soon as it begins.
  • Always try to work ahead on assignments, reading, and preparing for exams
  • Ask your professors what being a successful student means to them

Courses that may excite you:

  • Choose a class with a professor who is known for being trusted and consistent with their expectations for their students. This is important because you will not deal well with last-minute assignments for changes to the course.
  • Enroll in an independent study class where you can choose what you learn

Domain: Executing

People exceptionally talented in the Restorative theme are adept at dealing with problems. They are good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it.

Study techniques:

  • Make a list of ways you plan to tackle each new class. Breakdown the list in detail and set deadlines for each task that needs to be completed.
  • Create a support system where each part is contributing equal amounts of effort
  • Think of ways you can improve study habits for yourself and for a friend

Academic tips:

  • Read the syllabus as soon as you get it in order to be ready for problems that may arise in your schedule throughout the semester so you can be prepared for busy times
  • Do not let a low-grade ruin your learning experience. Remember to make a learning situation out of it and also look at the whole syllabus to see how you can utilize future assignments to bring up your grade in the course.
  • Once you get your test grades back, take the time to find the answers of the test questions you did not get right. This will help you understand the questions your professor is asking better and help you process the class better so you can understand how to prepare for future tests and quizzes.

Courses that may excite you:

  • Any course that has case studies or activities where a solution needs to be found.
  • Be in a class where the professor is known for wanting to fix things, either in the university or the community
  • Take a class where you learn how to problem-solve or deal with real-life conflict resolution. This will excite you and make the learning more interesting.

Domain: Influencing

People exceptionally talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to take risks and manage their own lives. They have an inner compass that gives them certainty in their decisions.

Study techniques:

  • Explore the topics you are studying beyond the pages you are reading and have confidence in your study and learning styles
  • Do more than what is asked in the assignment or project. This may include Googling topics that interest you, talking to a professor during office hours, or watching a lecture on topics of interest.
  • Encourage and push your study group to set realistic expectations for projects or exams. Assist them in reaching that goal

Academic tips:

  • Make sure that you are completely in control of your grade by asking professors for rubrics and written expectations. This will help you feel more prepared and in line with everything you need to do to succeed in your class.
  • Always look to be a better student and explore ways of accomplishing that.
  • Have confidence in what you learned and express what you learned with others

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in a class with a professor who utilizes a grading rubric and has clear expectations
  • Be in a class that is challenging and stimulating. If you don’t feel stimulated, you will easily check out of the course and not do your best.
  • Enroll in classes that have a clear path to success with defined expectations, deadlines, projects, and rubrics

Domain: Influencing

People exceptionally talented in the Significance theme want to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or people around them.

Study techniques:

  • Take the step in forming a study group with individuals who are also looking to succeed
  • After every lesson, identify main ideas
  • Establish relationships with other students who have a good academic reputation and figure out ways that you can learn together

Academic tips:

  • Identify how your personal goals connect to your academic life
  • Make a list of your personal and academic goals, find commonalities and how one can assist you with accomplishing the other
  • Identify how your classes play into your future

Courses that may excite you:

  • Enroll in classes that have discussions and a lot of participation
  • Independent studies classes
  • Be in a class where the professor gives helpful feedback. This could be feedback on essays, presentations, careers, or anything.

Domain: Strategic Thinking

People exceptionally talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Study techniques:

  • Reflect and write down possible solutions for problems
  • Make up games that allow for you and your friends to be more engaged when studying
  • Always strive to do a little more than planned.

Academic tips:

  • Be a part of a research class
  • Encourage creative discussion and solutions

Courses that may excite you:

  • Independent studies
  • Classes with heavy discussion

Domain: Influencing

People exceptionally talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.

Study techniques:

  • Study in places where there are a lot of people, like the library or the CUB
  • Create a study group in your new class with individuals you do not know yet
  • Try to meet the professor (or communicate with the professor) before starting the course. This way, you will be able to judge the logistics of the course

Academic tips:

  • Use engaging words in order to bring attention back to the classroom discussion
  • Meet the other individuals in your class. Disarm them and allow for class discussion to become more engaging and richer.
  • Make time to study with individuals who have similar goals in mind.

Courses that may excite you:

  • A course that allows you to meet new people that you would have never interacted with before
  • An experiential learning class that connects you to a passion area
  • A course that is heavy in group work