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Your character strengths are the psychological “superpowers” you naturally bring to life: things like curiosity, kindness, resilience or creativity. By understanding and using your top strengths, you gain energy, confidence and clarity.
Research shows that strength-focused work boosts wellbeing, motivation and achievement. It also builds resilience - because when life throws curveballs, you have reliable inner resources to draw on. Spotting and applying your signature strengths will help you handle stress, connect with others, and set goals that feel authentically yours - not just what others expect.
Strengths aren’t just feel-good fluff—they’re the building blocks of flourishing academic, social and personal life. Getting to know them is one of the most empowering things you can do this year.
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a free, science-backed tool that helps you discover what’s right with you. Based on decades of research in positive psychology, the survey identifies your unique combination of 24 character strengths—like curiosity, perseverance, humour or kindness. Knowing and using your top strengths can boost your wellbeing, confidence, relationships and resilience. This isn’t a personality test—it’s a practical way to understand what energises you and how to bring more of it into your daily life. It takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and offers a personalised report you can start using straight away.
If you want to find out more about character strengths and why they matter, this comprehensive guide defines what positive psychology means by "strengths" and explains why focusing on them matters. Stepping deeper into the theory, this article explores how character strengths operate in daily life across different contexts. And, this hands-on resource is ideal for students who want to use their strengths in real life. It offers clear examples, interventions, and easy-to-follow worksheets—all designed to help you actively cultivate and apply your unique strengths in study, friendships, and personal growth.
