An Introvert's Guide to College Navigation

Going to college after being in school for nearly 12 years feels like a paradise. College life offers us a bundle of joys; new friends, freedom and, amazing experiences. While most teenagers can't wait to join college, some are apprehensive and stressed out about starting this new journey. Yes, I am talking about introverts. Don't get me wrong, we are just as excited as you are to join college. We have also dreamt about this day while watching movies based on college life. However, we often feel pressured to make friends, be sociable, and fit in with everybody else.

While such thoughts can make us feel overwhelmed, it is important to remember that college is a place for anybody and everybody. Be it an introvert or an extrovert, these times are going to be the best 3-4 years of our life which we are going to cherish in the future as well.

Here are a few tips which can make college life easier and more enjoyable for introverts:

1. PUSH YOUR LIMITS

As introverts, we love staying in our comfort zone. Any opportunity to participate in an event or a new activity can feel alien and uncomfortable to us. However, it is up to us to break out of our comfort zone and explore the opportunities which college offers to us. College is a great chance for us to break open from our shells and find out who we truly are.

2. JOIN CLUBS

As introverts, we may find it difficult to engage in small talk or be friends with people without having anything in common with them. College clubs are the perfect platform for us to engage with like-minded people having interests similar to ours. The best part about having friends in a club is that we never run out of topics for conversations.

3. BUILD YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE

It is important that we try and be friends with everyone in college. Becoming friends with other introverts can prove to be very beneficial for us as they will understand us like nobody else and be the people who we can count on. At the same time, it is important to befriend extroverts as they are lively and energetic people who make college life seem like a breeze.

4. EMBRACE YOUR INTROVERSION

While society can make us feel that we are misunderstood by assuming that we are boring, unsociable, and shy, all this is just a myth. Introverts are just people who draw their energy from being alone. We need quiet time to recharge ourselves and feel happy. Hence, it is important for us to know that there is nothing wrong with being introverted and it is a great asset especially when it comes to listening to other people, working in solitude, and reflecting upon ourselves.

5. LEARN THE ART OF SAYING "NO"

While it is very important to hang out with our extroverted friends and try and be sociable, it is also important that we don't overexert ourselves to such an extent that we end up feeling drained. This means that we have to learn to stand up to our friends and say a "No" for an invitation to a party we don't have the energy to go to. Peer pressure can be difficult to resist, however, we need to ensure that we are in control of our lives.

Being an introvert does not mean that we cannot have a good social life or that we won't be able to enjoy college just as much as everybody else. We just have to ensure that we are taking out some time for ourselves on an everyday basis. Only when we strike the perfect balance between socializing and spending time alone, can we ensure that we are truly happy in life.

(College Uncovered 2020)