I get it. College is loud and crazy, and unpredictable, and full of people, and it's exhausting. But this is all magnified ten-fold when you're an introvert. An introvert at a party school. Who would've guessed?
My first year at Florida State, I would often find myself searching for the solace of a quiet place. I would go to great lengths to be fully and completely uninterrupted. But this is hard to do when you live in a dorm with two other people, and almost every other peaceful and quiet study spot is someone else's favorite campus secret too.
And for most, at the end of a long week of tests, and quizzes, and papers, and projects, and dining hall food-- losing yourself in a huge group of your like-minded peers sounds like the perfect way to wind down the week.
To an introvert, however, nothing could be more unappealing. And while there's nothing wrong with wanting to come back to our cozy Twin XL beds and flip on our current favorite binge rewatch on Netflix, sometimes we do want a little more than that. So where is the happy medium? What is there to do for fun at a party school other than partying?
The first and most important part of embracing your introversion in college is finding other introverts to surround yourself with when you do feel like being around other people. A common misconception is that we introverts don't enjoy time with other people at all when in reality, it just means we're very selective about who we spend our time with when we're feeling particularly low key. Finding friends who are happy staying in and playing board games or watching movies are key. This way, you can enjoy each other's company and have an enjoyable night, but still feel like you aren't leaving your comfort zone for the sake of having "college fun."
Another way to keep your life as a college-aged introvert interesting is to plan outings and trips that cater to the old and quiet soul. Go to a bookstore, study at a cafe, check out the closet nature preserve to campus. This way you're still getting out of the dorm; you're still removing yourself from the push and pull of your daily routine, but you're also relaxing. You're able to have fun without feeling like you're socially exerting yourself.
But the most important thing that you as an introvert can do for yourself, especially when thrown into the unpredictable environment of college, is intentionally and purposefully take time out of your day for yourself. For me, this was listening to an episode of my favorite podcast before I went to bed, but it can be anything that you do wholly for yourself that brings you comfort. Other ideas include painting your nails, going for a walk after dinner, or taking a yoga class once a week.
And yes, I'm almost positive you'll get made fun of; you'll be called a party-pooper and all other variations of half-hearted insults that imply your inability to have fun but don't let it get to you, because remember: silence is golden.
