Let me tell you a little bit more about introverts before I begin this post. Introverts often prefer a quiet life, daydream, think over speak, are excellent observers, and love solitude but are thought to be shy. Despite speaking less, introverts have the loudest minds. There is nothing antisocial about them – they just need some alone time to recharge and feel energized.
I am an introvert by nature. I have always been the way I am, whether at school or college or with family or friends. I have rarely encountered anyone who is as introverted as me, and if there was, I rarely cared to know more.
After being in college for a couple of years, I’m craving peace of mind and the serenity of silence. I often find myself out of place and often end up being unhappy because of the discomfort I face around heaps of people, so I’ve found my own ways to get out and actually enjoy myself being with myself finally.
Not because I don’t like people, but because I would rather keep my time to myself and avoid extra socialization. Here’s how I survive in college as an introvert and how you can do it, too! Here’s how!
Table of Contents
Go where nature is!
You may be craving solitude when groups of extroverted people surround you, and you don’t want to be a part of them. Take advantage of the nature and calmness surrounding your campus by visiting a calming park. Fresh air is in the air! Breathe it in and out!
Tip: take a trip to the library and indulge in the love of books!
Make use of headphones
When you put on earphones, you enter the ‘do not disturb’ mode. Take it easy, enjoy the music, get lost in it, and you won’t be bothered by anyone. With music plugged in, it’s fine to let yourself sit and daydream for hours.
Make a habit of saying hi, hello!
You don’t have to form closer relationships if you don’t want to. Just a hello would do! As you walk to class, greet everyone. You can do this by asking them how they are doing. If you do this, you’re not alienating anyone, and you appear quite social. Don’t try to be somebody you aren’t, or you will end up creating your own misery.
Learn to say no
Even though it sounds simple, it isn’t that easy. You have to learn to say no to things you’re not comfortable with. It is mentally crippling to give into something you are not passionate about. Don’t let peer pressure lead you to spend late nights at parties, take drugs, or smoke. There’s no need to do something just because it’s cool. As an introvert, you might be aware of your self-made rules and ethics. Your identity will suffer more damage by breaking them.
Get to know other introverts
We introverts would love to find another introvert, wouldn’t we? We rarely socialize, let alone know someone who is introverted, because we rarely socialize. But we have the gift of observing people well. You can find many introverts in solitude and perhaps even start a conversation to break the ice. Try it, and you’ll make friends who enjoy their alone time and respect it!
Do what you love
I cannot emphasize this enough. It’s important to do what you love. Develop a hobby and practice it regularly. Make the most of your time instead of wasting it. The things which bring you closer to your inner self include writing poetry, gardening, watching useful documentaries, and reading books.
Kick out the negativity
The small talk, fake friendship, and gossip you hear will negatively affect your whole life. These activities drain your energy, take up a lot of time, and kill your mood! You should stay away from people who constantly talk about everyone’s back, pointing out their flaws and laughing at them. You’ll not be comforted by their negative aura. My advice is to stay far away from them!
As an introvert, I’ve learned to embrace my personality and learn as much about myself as possible instead of following the crowd. Being true to ourselves is what we should all strive for. You just have to accept yourself as you are, kick out the negativity you have around you, appreciate the people who are right for you, keep them close and finally, go your own way!
