Please carefully read and think about the list of personal values below. Then select two or three values that are MOST important to you. Know that your answers are personal, and so there are no right answers.
Family Relationships
Caring for Others and Community
Respect for Tradition/Culture
Loyalty
Academic/Career Success
Independence/Autonomy
Creativity
Personal Growth/Knowledge
Sense of Humor
Religious/Spiritual Values
Social Responsibility
Add one or more of your own
Step 2: Consider the two or three values you picked as most important to you and think about situations when these values were or would be very important to you. Next, describe why these values are important to you. Focus on your thoughts and feelings. Don’t worry about spelling and grammar. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3:
List the top two reasons why these two or three values are so important to you: 1.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next, please mark how much you agree with each of the following statements:
1. In general, I try to live up to these values. (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Somewhat Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree)
2. These values are an important part of who I am. (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Somewhat Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree)
3. I care about these values. (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Somewhat Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree)
Why This Activity Helps Studies show that activities like this can support a greater sense of belonging and well-being, and may contribute to positive academic and personal outcomes.
What to Do Next (1) Keep a copy of your responses with you so that you can refer back to them, (2) use this activity as often as you like, and (3) share your responses with someone you trust.
Adapted for The Good Student nonprofit by Joe Dorri, in collaboration with colleagues (2026), based on values affirmation research by Geoffrey L. Cohen and colleagues.