The Enneagram is a fascinating personality typing system that teaches there are nine different personality styles in the world. If you don’t know anything about the enneagram, visit the Enneagram Institute online to learn more. If you are a self-proclaimed “Enneagram-er,” read on! 

Nines are known as the “Peacemaker” They are the Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent.

Counseling

Nines are the peacemakers and their basic desire is to have complete inner peace. At my core, I want to be at peace with myself and with the people around me. I tend to numb my own opinions and ideas for the betterment of others.

Grace College has been a good fit for me because it has allowed me to find people with whom I feel safe and comfortable, yet it has also stretched me to figure out exactly what I believe in and what my passions are. It has pushed me to dig deeper into myself and better understand who I truly am and who God has made me to be. Through chapels, classes, and small groups, I have been forced to figure out my opinions on different topics.

I study best in a comfy and cozy coffee shop. I like to get off campus and be in an atmosphere that makes me excited to do work because nines can tend to be lazy or unmotivated in certain situations. But I gain motivation and actually look forward to studying by doing so in a fun environment.

I am an RA and I am involved in the council for diversity and inclusion. I think both of these things show that I value peace for all people. I want all to feel welcomed and worthy.  

There are so many things to consider while choosing a college, but here is a big factor to consider as a nine. 

Does it Feel like home? — You really can’t know the answer to this question by simply reading the brochure or visiting a website. You have to schedule a visit, walk around campus, sit in classes, spend a night in the dorms, and decide for yourself!

We aren’t saying that these are the only programs that you would fit in, nor are we suggesting that every enneagram nine would be good in these fields. However, given your natural tendencies, you might just have a knack for one of these.

1. Psychology / Counseling — Nines are extremely easy to talk to–a trait that is invaluable for someone in the Behavioral Sciences. Nines are patient, self-effacing, and empathetic, making them wonderful at seeing all sides of the story and pointing people toward rational conclusions.
2. Biblical Studies — A degree in Bible is another great fit for a nine’s personality. This is not a hard and fast rule, but many enneagram experts have noted that nines have a high propensity to be spiritually-minded. It might be their inner drive for peace, or it could have to do with the fact that nines don’t tie their worth to their doing. They are perfectly content being with God and His word.

Again, these are not cookie-cutter placements, but here are some ways that, as a nine, you can capitalize on your self-giving tendencies and empathetic spirit.

1. Grace Village Bingo — Every week, volunteers from Grace go to the retirement home right off campus to play bingo with people there. This easy-going activity doesn’t require much energy from you after a long day. All it requires is showing up and supporting your bingo buddies.
2. Homecoming — Ok ok, you caught me. More than anything this is a play on words. Nines like to “come home” because it is comfortable and known. However, all numbers on the enneagram, (including nines) would enjoy our Grace Family Homecoming each year.

Grace College alumnus gives advice to college students who identify as a nine.

Making decisions can be difficult, especially choosing a major or what opportunities to pursue year to year. But trust yourself. Know that one or two decisions will not make or break your future. Also, put yourself in positions where you can engage in healthy conflict. It is going to be a part of life regardless and it is important to be able to handle it well. Also, it’s easy to be content and complacent with routine. Push yourself to try new things, find more roles on campus to participate, go on a Go Encounter trip. Most importantly, find friends that can push you and keep you accountable to do these things.

Become aware of how you are “numbing out” the stress of college in unhealthy ways. Find alternative, more healthy ways to rest: instead of binging Netflix, go on a walk or read a chapter of your favorite book. 

Now we’ve covered ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights and nines! That’s a wrap on our enneagram blog series. Give us a call and find out how nines find their peace at Grace!

1 https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions