Finding Your True North: Guiding Students Toward a Life That Matters As parents, we all want our children to lead lives filled with purpose, significance, and satisfaction. We want them to achieve more than academic success; we want them to thrive as individuals who make meaningful contributions to the world. But how do we guide them toward a future that aligns with their true potential and values? The answer lies in helping them discover their True North. What Is True North? True North is more than just a metaphor; it’s a deeply personal sense of direction that anchors a person to their core values, passions, and abilities. For students planning their next steps in life, it’s not just about getting into college—it’s about ensuring that college serves as a stepping stone toward a greater life goal. A life well-lived is one where they can look back and say, “I led a life that mattered.” At the heart of finding True North is understanding three key dimensions: interests, core personal traits, and aptitudes. When these align, students can uncover the unique paths that allow them to live with purpose and fulfillment. The Three Pillars of the True North Assessment To help students identify their True North, I use the True North Assessment, which integrates three scientifically grounded assessments: 1. Interests: The Holland Code Interests are the spark that fuels passion and motivation. The Holland Code framework categorizes interests into six personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC). Understanding these preferences helps students identify fields and careers that naturally resonate with their inclinations and values. Example: A student with Investigative and Artistic traits might thrive in a career that blends creativity with analytical problem-solving, like architecture or UX design. 2. Core Personal Traits: The Big Five Core traits define who we are and how we interact with the world. The Big Five Personality Traits (also known as the Five Factor Model) measure openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability. These traits shape how students approach challenges, relationships, and responsibilities. Example: A student high in conscientiousness and low in extraversion might excel in fields requiring meticulous focus and independence, such as accounting or scientific research. 3. Aptitudes: The Highlands Ability Battery While interests and traits indicate what a student enjoys and how they behave, aptitudes reveal what they are naturally wired to do. The Highlands Ability Battery assesses cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and communication skills to pinpoint areas where students are most likely to excel. Example: A student with high spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills may thrive in engineering or data analytics, while someone with strong verbal reasoning and communication abilities may shine in law or public relations. The Power of Overlap "True North" lies at the intersection of these three assessments. When a student’s interests, core personal traits, and aptitudes align, they gain clarity about how they are wired for success and the steps they need to take to achieve their goals. This holistic approach goes beyond surface-level assessments to provide a deeper understanding of who they are and where they can make the most impact. Why It Matters The college admissions process often feels like a whirlwind of test scores, GPAs, and activities. While these metrics are important, finding their True North helps students understand their personal brand—their genuine, authentic selves. This self-awareness is crucial in the college application process, where students need to articulate who they are and how they stand out from other applicants. By presenting a clear and compelling narrative about their unique combination of interests, traits, and aptitudes, they can make a lasting impression on admissions committees. But going back to living a life that matters, you need to remember that college is not the end goal. College should serve as a launchpad—a place where students can develop the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to live a life of significance. By helping your child discover their True North, you’re giving them more than just direction for college. You’re giving them a framework for navigating life with purpose and confidence. This investment in self-discovery ensures they don’t just succeed academically but thrive as individuals who are equipped to lead meaningful lives. Start Your Journey Today Finding your child’s True North is a journey worth taking. With the right guidance, they can uncover their unique potential and take the first steps toward a future that truly matters. I’m here to help your family navigate this process, from understanding your child’s interests, traits, and aptitudes to planning for college and beyond. Ready to help your child find their True North? Book a meeting with me today and let’s chart a course for their future together. Comments are closed.
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