I came to college knowing two people basically, both of which I am related to, and neither of them are remotely close to my age. I lived with three girls who went to my same school, which helped, but I never realized until just here recently, a year and a half into college, that I am an extrovert.

I remember when all my roommates would be out of town and I would be the only person in my whole apartment. I’d lie in my bed at night and just listen to the cars go by and the occasional screaming laughter from across the parking lot outside. This was before my boyfriend moved to Tennessee, so I would just text him the whole night until I could barely keep my eyes open. On nights like this back home, I had a whole friend group close by, so one of them was bound to be down to hang out on lonely nights. But here in Tennessee, that was not the case. On the days where I was all alone and didn’t have class, I’d just sit and nap all day. I didn’t have motivation to do anything. When I did get some motivation, I would occasionally find myself at Target, spending way more money on clothes than I should have, but it made me feel better because I was around people. However, it still wasn’t the same because it wasn’t anyone I knew. It wasn’t anyone I could tell about my day or about how I failed my math test. It was just strangers, usually white middle-aged suburban moms buying groceries because apparently Walmart is not in their store definition. Those weekends were always the longest for me. I couldn’t wait for Monday to come along so I could be around people again.

It wasn’t until just last week or so that I learned this empty feeling I get when I’m alone has a name. I learned this when the other members of my Odyssey group were discussing the difference between introverts and extroverts. Introverts’ bodies and souls recharge when they are alone, and I am the complete opposite. I recharge by being with friends, but sometimes I feel like this comes off a bit too much for people who don’t understand what it’s like to be an extrovert.

As an extrovert, I do way too much thinking when I’m alone, and I often get overly stressed out about things I shouldn’t. I get stressed out about finances, school, when I’ll be able to see my family again, and self-image is a big one too. When I’m with people, I just feel so much better. I like hearing about people’s days, how their family is, and the latest drama in their life. I like learning new things from them, like how girls do their make up differently or how the boys have to choose between two chicks. I just love being with people.

So basically, I just want this article to be a huge thank you to the people I can call my close friends for understanding that I don’t mean to be clingy. I just love being around them. I only have a handful of friends here at school, but the ones I do have mean the world to me. They have taken me in as the awkward friend who laughs at her own jokes, the one who eats everything in plain sight, and the one who cries when she can’t figure out one single assignment for class. I’m just so thankful for these people who accept me for the extrovert I am. I just wish everyone could have friends like mine.

With that being said, being an extrovert is not a bad thing at all. They say introverts are more intelligent and creative, but I call “bull” on that. I think we are all equally intelligent and creative. We are just different. We recharge differently. I thrive around people. Some others don’t, but that’s okay. I’ve learned here recently that this is just who I am, and it doesn’t mean I’m begging for attention like most people would think. I just encourage those who are not extroverts to be accepting of those people who are. They just need you to be there for them, and I promise they will do the same in return.