The Best College Environment, Based On Your Enneagram Type
Photo Credit: Katelyn Vines Photography
Hi, I'm Rebekka—an ENFJ, 2w3, and Upholder who leans Obliger. If you, too are a self-awareness fanatic, we should chat—preferably over vanilla mistos. My recent personality passion (that has been circling around conversations and articles for the better part of 2019) is the Enneagram, an ancient personality assessment that has recently soared to a popular dinner topic—for students, millennials, and baby boomers alike. Stemming from the roots ennea=9 and gram=diagram, this map for self-discovery and personal growth describes 9 basic, fundamental personality types based up on their unique ways or seeing and relating to the world. Personally, my world has been rocked by Ian Morgan Cron’s resurrection of the Ancient Greek personality assessment in his bestseller The Road Back to You. No other platform has revolutionized the way we understand ourselves and others quite like this. As we’re officially halfway through the year, I’m already heralding “The Road Back to You” by Ian Morgan Cron as my most influential (and by the same token, most recommended) book of 2019. For the first time, I more comprehensively understood why I do the things I do and how I process the world the way I do. Cron puts such beautiful vernacular around each personality “type” (the Enneagram asserts there are only nine (9) specific worldviews, though there are variations within each type) that the reader can’t help but be emotionally moved when he or she comes across the specific chapter dedicated to their very own type. According to YourEnneagramCoach.com, (where you can take your every own free assessment to discover your Core Fear, Core Desire, and Core Weakness), by learning the “why” behind the way you and others “think, feel, and behave, you gave more understanding, compassion, mercy, and hopefully an ability to forgive.”
Photo Credit: Your Enneagram Coach
The Enneagram is uniquely designed like an internal GPS to help you more accurately yourself better (and in turn, your thinking processes, and perspectives) in order to love others more intentionally. When we put tangible language around our core fears and desires, we’re able to stay clear of the pitfalls and remain on the best path.
So, what does an ancient personality assessment tool have to do with school choice?
It goes without saying that confidence in your student’s decision and ultimately, his or her school experience will be that much more impactful if it aligns with your student’s personality. In the noise of entrance scores, essays, interviews, and applications, I’ve witnessed families often lose sight of the “right fit” school for their student. Sure, sometimes it’s the elite #1 school on their college list, but more often than not, it’s a school comfortably ranked in the Target School bandwidth of their college list and usually— it’s a non tangible factor that’s the linchpin. From a personal thank you card sent following a campus tour (true story), a unique extracurricular club, a professor’s tailored research field, or even a convenient route to the nearest airport for a quick flight home, by understanding how your student ticks, you will be more confident to weed through the noise and identify the “right fit” college to fit their needs.
“The Perfectionist”
Rational, idealistic, self-controlled, and principled.
Is your student a 1on the Enneagram? Ones are happiest when structure, rules, and explanations are clearly identified and executed. Ones would thrive best in a college environment that offers clearcut objectives in classroom settings, lab/practicum environments, and even in extracurricular opportunities. When it comes to major selection, Ones are self-disciplined enough to thrive in a variety of disciplines—the catch here is to ascertain that the requirements and expectations are clearly laid out. In college, Ones should consider leading in some sort of capacity—RA, SGA, athletic/club team, non-profit club, etc.—where their principled structure and affinity for rationale can thrive.
“The Helper”
Caring, compassionate, helpful, and nurturing.
Oh, the Twos…these souls are probably the easiest to spot, too. Twos are wired to care for those around them so they’re the most filled up when given opportunities to give back to their community and environment. Find Twos on service trips over holiday breaks, getting involved in a volunteering/nonprofit extracurricular organization, or even in a mentorship role in the tutoring center or as a big sister/big brother in a sorority/fraternity. For majors, Twos are driven by their compassionate need to make a difference—typically, you can find Twos in the Pre-Med/Pre-Dent track or the Education/Teaching path, though they have a knack of creating service-oriented outlets in just about any scenario.
“The Achiever”
Successful, efficient, focused, and productive.
When it comes to Threes, these are the people you want on your club team, in your study group, in your Greek life orientation, or representing your class in SGA. These students are efficient and proactive—never doubt that they’ll get done what they say they will get done. Driven by quotas, grades, benchmarks, and incentives, Threes are intrinsically driven to do well and succeed. Get class notes from a Three, make it a point to sync up with Threes during your college experience—they motivate those around them to step up to the plate.
“The Individualist”
Intellectual, emotional, accomplished, and unique.
Fours are intrinsically wired to want to make their unique mark on the world. Naturally creative and artistic, it’s not uncommon to find Fours in the Arts or Photography department, Yet, my favorite Fours are those who, while not pursuing generalist “artsy” track, but still find a way to put their own spin on the task at hand. You can spot Fours usually in their dorm room design (unique, coordinated, artistic, and creative), the way they might take notes (doodles, color-coded, an individualistic way of organizing and culling information), or even in the mnemonic way they recall information. You’ll want Fours on the planning train (not in the limelight) for fundraisers, class events, parties, and celebrations—they’ll put their own creative panache on the activity.
“The Investigator”
Intelligent, private, introspective, and curious.
Fives can be intense and deep thinkers, perfectly content to retreat in the solace of their own minds. Find them in poetry readings, literary analysis groups, coding classes, or investigating tax code. Living with or walking alongside a Five is like living in a documentary—they ask a lot of terrific questions and reach introspective conclusions. Never satisfied to simply absorb content, you’ll find Fives sitting near the front of the classroom, comfortably conversing with the professor in some sort of fact-finding mission. Fives are fastidious in any tasks—you’ll want a Five on your team when it comes to turning in a group project or presenting at symposium. If living or studying with a Five, be sure to give them space to assess the situation and the opportunity to “recharge” if the task at hand is especially draining.
“The Loyalist”
Prepared, dedicated, hard-working, and compliant.
Sixes are security-oriented, responsible, and cautious. At their worst, Sixes can tip towards anxious so it’s extremely important to help Sixes feel secure and comfortable. On campus tours, Sixes will intuitively check out fire exits, the routes to and from class (Can I get to class from the cafeteria in a reasonable amount of time? What if it’s raining? How close is the classroom to the professor’s office? What are office hours?), will be meticulous in strategizing the “ideal” class schedule, and may even inquire about campus security. Engaging and dedicated, Sixes need a major track that allows their phenomenal work ethic to thrive and not feel anxious or stressed by outside influences outside of their control. Their most fulfilling college experience would be one where they feel secure—both physically and academically by understanding expectations to rely on their own self-control to execute—while still having a good time.
“The Enthusiast”
Creative, fun, imaginative, and playful.
In college, find a Seven! They want to do everything, everywhere, all the time. Find a Seven who lives on your dorm hall, is in your Fraternity/Sorority, on your sports team, or heading up an extracurricular club. They love to have fun and be on the go, go, go. Sevens thrive in environments that don’t get stale—think large schools with lots of opportunities to form different friend groups and try a variety of classes (opportunities to leave their desks and partake interim “fun” classes like beer brewing, furniture building, rock climbing, frisbee golf, inventor’s lab, wine tasting, time travel, and microbial research is right up their alley). Sevens are well-liked and have a knack of getting along with all different personalities. They’re the first to sign up for study abroad/exchange programs and when traveling, you’ll definitely lean on a Seven to quickly become friends with the locals and check out the neighborhood fare.
“The Challenger”
Outspoken, direct, bold, and decisive.
Eights are direct and not afraid of a challenge. Eights are confident and capable in their own abilities and because of this, have difficult relying on someone else to handle or process their own problems or insecurities. In class, Eights will encourage others to think of the content in a new and fresh perspective. They do well studying alone because they feel like they are equipped to be on task and prepared.
“The Peacemaker”
Quiet, calm, patient, and steady.
The easy-going nature of Nines can make college tours a little tricky—they believe that they’ll be genuinely complacent and content with any environment. Encourage Nines to share opinions at the get-go of their college selection journey. While at college, Nines, in their reassuring and agreeable way, will have plenty of companions as they’re quite happy to go along with whatever the majority whats to do. They’re not afraid to relax—in fact, they crave it—and will fit right in to the expectations of the environment.
These quick snapshots into the 9 personality types of the Enneagram are designed to simply start the conversation between you and your student. We hope that by more fully understanding how your student sees the world, you’ll feel more equipped to identify the learning and social environment where he or she can thrive.