I'm an extrovert and I love people. I love being around people, laughing, chatting and fooling around. I get lonely if I am by myself for too long and I will immediately seek out friends. I love talking, about anything and everything to anyone. I love being with people because it makes me feel loved and appreciated. Never before have I felt the need to be alone, never have I craved spending time by myself.

Until college.

The truth of the matter is that when you are in college, you are surrounded by people; if you want, you could never be alone. You spend time with classmates, friends, roommates, and you forget that you need time with yourself. People come to knock on your door, nap in your room and ask you if you want to hang out at all hours of the day. I love it! I love having such a social atmosphere and I welcome these spontaneous fun moments.

However, every so often I crave to be alone, to have the solitude to dwell in my thoughts. It is exhausting to constantly be surrounded by people, but beyond that, being alone is how I remember. Being alone helps me remember who I am, what I believe in and why it is important to me.

When I first began college I was rarely alone. I got a little overwhelmed in my first semester because I forgot to do things I loved that I only really did alone. I stopped writing, I would skip days of running and I would wait for other people to join me before I did anything. I started doubting some of my own personal beliefs because I wasn't spending any of my time thinking through new ideas and developments.

This semester, I have been forcing myself to spend time alone. Not a lot of time, but some. I'll go running, practice volleyball, hike, read or write by myself. At first, I thought this weird phenomenon of needing time alone was just me. But I soon discovered that most of my friends also tried to find times when their roommates were gone and they weren't busy so they could relax. No Netflix, homework, or video games, but simply time to explore what you actually enjoy doing and to develop a relationship with yourself.

Since I have started having some solitude, I feel much healthier emotionally and mentally. I remember what my passions are again. My personal favorite activity by myself is hiking in the bluffs by my college. It is so peaceful, calm and strong. It makes me feel free of my burdens so I can more fully embrace the joys of life.

I would encourage everyone to take some time by yourself. Remember that college is the time to decide who you are and what you truly care about. You need to learn to love everything about yourself. Not to be arrogant, but to be happy.