CHARACTERISTICS OF A SAGE

Sage  is also an herb  with  medicinal and culinary value.   Source

WHAT IS A SAGE?

As a noun, the word  "sage" refers to   a profoundly wise person.    As an adjective,  "sage" means having wisdom  that comes with age and experience.   The comparative form of this adjective is "sager,"  which I will use below as an acronym  to stand for five  characteristics  of  a sage.

These characteristics are valuable not only for academic  achievement but more importantly, for   overcoming daily challenges particularly outside the confines of the school.

Source: Susan Crown Exchange, Inc. a  social investment organization  that is  invested in shaping an ecosystem of anytime, anywhere, 21st century learning to prepare youth to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing and highly connected world

S:  Self-regulation refers to one’s ability to control responses, impulses and behaviors in alignment with particular societal or circumstantial expectations, or personal goals. This range of skills help us moderate emotional, mental or other stimulus, and are at work when we plan and think ahead, inhibit negative responses or delay gratification.

A:  Agency is the belief in our own ability to affect change in our lives. Agency provides us with the platform to rally our other skills in order to guide and direct our lives.

G: Grit is defined as “perseverance and passion for long term goals. Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, and maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress.” 

E: Empathy is the ability to understand or sense what other people are feeling and to guide one’s actions in response.  We use empathy when we take on others’ perspectives, or when we mirror what another person is feeling.

R: Resilience is a complex process of positive adjustment in the face of significant adversity. Resilience emerges when we call upon internal, interpersonal and external support systems in challenging times.

To new college graduates, you will be meeting again these terms are these are used  in the language of   HR practitioners and talent acquisition professionals.

For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please refer to "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.