Reflective essay week 2

After the first week has been gone we were asked to write a second reflection essay on new insights we had. The last week I was able to learn a lot about planning and setting goals. This week however for the class ‘what to put in my backpack’ it was all about discovering your own strengths and weaknesses and to sort defining your own personality. This we did by doing several tests and class discussions. Not only did I learn a lot this week about myself, during this class also videos were shown in order to teach us about several learning processes and about our brain.

The test that we had to do was the Myers Briggs test. This consisted of questions that were directed to show what kind of person you are. My result was ENFJ, which means that I am a diplomat and to be more specific a protagonist. I have actually learned a lot from this test. I did not really know a lot about my own personality but by doing the test I have discovered a lot about myself. I think that the results were actually really accurate. This has shown me not only my strengths and weaknesses but also pointed out what my career paths and workplace habits are or will be in the future. I have never thought about this actually reflecting on my personality and also am of the opinion that this was really accurate.

After the test we had to form groups with the people who had the same results of the test. We then had to share ideas and thought about the outcome. I learned actually a lot about my classmates from having a discussion about their personality. This was very helpful, because they came up with ideas that can help in the future for me as well, for instance the personality actually reflects on being very helpful and thoughtful towards others and my classmates shared their ideas on how to put this into your career later on which I was not so much aware of.

Also we had to do a VAK test. This test was about your way of learning. After the test I came to the conclusion that the way I like to do things is by doing it in a kinaesthetic way. Looking back on all the things I did and learn in my life, this is actually the way that I like to do things and very much the way in how I like to learn things.

The videos about born to learn really spoke to me. I learned actually the truth behind what people really motivate to learn and work. The most important thing said during those videos was on my opinion the sentence ‘learn something what is meaningful to you’. During the years I have not been studying I really did not like working a lot because I think that I did not use my brain to the fullest. This sentence actually sums up exactly why I was not enjoying work that much. When engaging in something challenging and of choice, such as IBIS, you learn a lot more because it means a lot to you. When working I just simply worked to make money not really to be involved in the whole working flow. I wasn’t learning a lot because everything in my work was almost done on automatic pilot by me because it was so in my system. Therefore I needed change and chose to do IBIS. The video shown has made me realise this even more.

The video on the brain was very interested as well for me. I knew already a lot of things which were good or bad for the brain and what it could eventually do to you but some things I was not aware of and therefore learned some new things about that as well.

As a conclusion I think, looking back at the weeks that have past, this week has taught me the most. Especially the personality test really opened my eyes. I am really happy that I have this result because from this point out I can really focus on my strengths and improve on my weaknesses more effectively.