A Survival Guide For Introverts Contemplating College

College is the best time of your life. You have your youth, your future ahead of you and your mind awash with the potential to learn. That's the part you're okay with.
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Then there's the social side. Pledging; parties; meeting new people and sharing your life story with the people who may ultimately become your best friend. Most college websites are full of photos of people hugging, beaming into the camera at what look like parties of the whole campus.

For most, that's exciting. A chance to meet new people. But for the introvert, it's almost a threat. You will meet new people. You will converse with them. You will run the gauntlet every day, finishing your days exhausted, head aching and needing to sit in silence for half an hour before you start studying.

For introverts, the presence of other people is all well and good - up to a point. The fundamental difference that separates them the introverts from the extroverts is that other people drain an introvert, sapping their energy. For an extrovert, the opposite is true, and they get their energy from others. They can handle college fine, but can introverts?

If you're due to start college and are wondering how you can handle it as an introvert, then you need a
survival guide.

Survival Tip 1: Don't Overload Yourself
In the initial few weeks, the buzz can be to so intense you get swept away. You're talked into signing up to every group going. You visit a sorority, and you're already bookmarking the likes of Something Greek. You make plans with new friends. You think you're handling it.

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Then the point comes in the middle of the semester when it's clear you're not handling it. Introversion will always out, even if it is temporarily swallowed by new-college excitement. Try and limit your activities to two per week, giving you room for the alone time you will inevitably crave.

Survival Tip 2: Studying Is Your Best Excuse
If you need time alone, don't try and explain that to new friends - particularly if they're extroverts. They won't understand that it's not a slight on them if you take time away from them. Luckily, you have the best excuse right in front of you: you need to study.

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People are more likely to understand this is a pursuit that requires alone time. They might try and cajole you to put it off, but ultimately, it's why you're at college. So use it as an excuse any time you need - and you never know, you might actually end up using your alone time to study.

Survival Tip 3: Plan To Go Home
Not all students go home during the first semester, but it's worth considering if you're an introvert. College is a good time for finding yourself, but a break can make it easier. Going home gives you peace and quiet with people more likely to understand your need for private space.

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You can tell new friends there is a family wedding, then tell your family back home you have to study while you're there. In two white lies, you've bought yourself a bit more time to breathe.

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​by Iconic Chica Mag Contributors