College can be pretty overwhelming as you meet new people, encounter scary professors, and make friends. At these times its helpful to remember the people who have helped you become you.
Throughout your life people have influenced you, sometimes not always positively, but nevertheless they have had an impact on you and who you are as a person. Be they coaches, teachers, parents, spiritual figures, or friends, there are others who have helped shape you.
Take a few minutes to think through who these people might be for you and make a list. Next to each person, write down an anecdote or message that this person taught you and how they did so. Once you have completed your list, respond to the following questions:
- What are the common themes among the people I listed?
- Are there any people I find particularly inspiring, why or why not?
- What do I have in common with the people on my list?
- As I look over my list of the people who have influenced me and what they taught me, who in turn have I influenced and what have I taught them?
- Why is it important to acknowledge the people who have influenced me?
- How can I be more intentional about finding similar people here at Duke?
