Part of the college experience, and a liberal arts education, is learning who we are as individuals. Our actions, decisions, and behaviors are guided by our values. But values can be tricky to think about, let alone define. This activity is a chance to help you articulate the things that matter to you and why.
Our actions, decisions, and behaviors are guided by our values. But values can be tricky to think about, let alone define. This activity is a chance to help you articulate the things that matter to you and why.
As you go through questions and prompts below, give yourself time and space to respond authentically and sincerely. These are hard topics, but important things to consider as we work towards establishing our own identities and making the most of our college experience. It may help to write these out on a piece of paper to put yourself in a different frame of mind as you reflect on who you are and how you can have a great time at Duke.
- When I consider all I have done during the past year, what makes me the proudest or gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment?
- What was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to overcome, personally or professionally, and what did I learn about myself in that process?
- When I imagine my future self, who am I? With whom do I live, where do I live, how do I spend my time? What is my life like?
As we shift to discuss specific values, it is important to recognize that values can be both present and aspirational, that is to say you may not value something right now, but you really want to (or think you should). Below you will find a randomized list of values. As you read through the list note whether it is something you value now or something you want to value. There is also a “common” column where you can note values you may or may not hold, but they do not elicit a strong reaction from you.
Once you have finished dividing the list, read through your “present” and “aspirational” values and select your top ten, and then ultimately your top five.
Value Reflection Activity Chart
Identify the top five words you marked as very important and write them below. Next to each, define the word and what it means to you. This is important, what does it mean to you.
Read over your five words and your definitions and ask yourself the following questions.
- When I consider them holistically, what kind of person do they describe?
- In what ways am I similar or different than the future-version of myself I described earlier?
- When I consider my answers to the questions on the first page, where do I see consistency and inconsistency in my responses and my identified and defined values?
- In what ways did I struggle with differentiating between present and aspirational values?
- What are three ways I can ensure my behaviors are better aligned with my values?
