It’s back to school season around here; the ads for school supplies have been out for months; but students of all ages are now heading back into the classroom. Many have been looking forward to it since they last stepped out of the classroom, some have been planning their return during this time, others have been thinking about possibilities, and for a bunch, it’s just another day. Everyone handles it differently, so understanding the different approaches students take to this transition only helps set them up for success.
Organized Gold: These folks thrive on structure. As the back-to-school season approaches, they’re the ones who’ll have their academic ducks in a row. Organized Golds are masters of planning and organization. They live for routines and traditions, and they appreciate having clear guidelines. Any changes in teaching methods or curriculum might throw them off initially. But because they are careful and responsible, they make sure they are ready for the school year that’s coming.
Supporting Organized Golds: To make life easier for Organized Golds, teachers and parents can offer clear schedules, detailed instructions, and a predictable routine. Recognizing and applauding their meticulous planning can give them that extra boost of confidence.
Resourceful Orange: Resourceful Oranges are spontaneous, adaptable people. They’re all about embracing new experiences, especially the excitement that comes with returning to school. Rigid schedules and repetitive tasks? Not their thing. Resourceful Oranges prefer hands-on activities, creative challenges and variety. Their knack for quickly adapting to change can be a standout quality during this transition.
Supporting Resourceful Oranges: Encouraging Resourceful Oranges to explore their creative side through art, music, or physical activities can channel their enthusiasm. Providing some flexibility within schedules and projects can help keep that spark alive.
Inquiring Greens: These are the thinkers and problem solvers who approach going back to school with a purpose. They’re all about research, weighing options, and setting clear goals for themselves. Their natural curiosity fuels their studies. Returning to school for them is a calculated move toward reaching their career dreams, driven by the thrill of intellectual challenges and opportunities to grow.
Supporting Inquiring Greens: Engaging Inquiring Greens with opportunities for independent research and intellectual exploration can truly ignite their passion, but don’t limit them to STEM subjects. Encouraging them to participate in extracurricular activities can help develop as a person and ensure a more well-rounded experience.
Authentic Blue: Authentic Blues see the return to school as a chance for personal growth and making the world a better place. They bring empathy and compassion into their interactions with peers and often take on mentoring roles. Both Introverted and Extraverted Authentic Blues need people in their lives; the return to the classroom allows them to rekindle friendships that may have been on pause over the summer.
Supporting Authentic Blues: For Authentic Blues, participating with peer groups or community service activities can nurture their empathetic nature. Reminding them of the positive impact they can have on the world can help maintain their sense of purpose.
Heading back to school after the summer break is a big transition for students, and their unique personality dimensions play a massive role in how they handle it. Whether they’re Organized Golds, Resourceful Oranges, Inquiring Greens, or Authentic Blues, recognizing and supporting their personality dimensions helps us understand their perspectives. As educators, parents, and friends, knowing how to give them the guidance they need, in the way they need it, helps them adapt, be empathetic, and stay strong, making the school year successful for everyone.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is a lifelong introvert, and the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners get the right tools to best serve their clients.
