As an introvert:
From seminars to societies to student accommodation, university can feel very much catered to extroverts. When you’re a student, the ratio of social time to alone time becomes drastically uneven, which can be very draining for us introverts.
Being an introvert doesn’t necessarily mean you are shy and awkward – it’s mostly preferring your own company from time to time. There is a lot of pressure on the social element of student life, especially during first year. The most important thing is not to harbour any guilt for not always wanting to join. Nightlife in particular is arguably romanticised and it’s simply not for everyone. Nonetheless, I do believe university is the perfect opportunity to test and push your social boundaries. Social activities aren’t exclusively nights out, but can be more relaxed such as grabbing a coffee with someone. At the end of the day, if you skip a few events or nights out, you won’t be missing out.
The most important thing is not to harbour any guilt for not always wanting to join.
Stereotypically, making friends doesn’t come as naturally to introverts as it does for extroverts. Meeting up with people in your seminars outside of an academic setting is a great idea since you already have your degree in common. Clubs and societies are further a great way to bond with people with similar interests, or even join a society that you hardly know anything about – opposites really do attract sometimes and you’ll gain a new hobby.
However, it’s crucial to find some time for yourself each day to avoid becoming extremely burnt out. The university environment can be a shock at first but it gets easier. Whilst I’m still an introvert at heart, university has definitely pulled my extroverted side to the forefront. Undoubtedly, you shouldn’t feel forced to play into an extroverted role, but your social capacity may surprise you when you’re with the right people.
- Jenica Davis
As an extrovert:
The phrase ‘fake it till you make it’ springs to mind when I think about how to navigate University life as an extrovert. I think it is difficult to fully define yourself as extroverted 100% of the time.
Even the most outgoing people struggle to be social when they are tired, or stressed or feeling a bit low. Small talk, thinking of things to say, combatting empty silences is draining at the best of times. Yet, I believe many would define themselves as an extrovert because they find it less awkward to just fill the silences with humour, wit and chat, even if they don’t feel like it, hence the phrase.
I think it is difficult to fully define yourself as extroverted 100% of the time.
While a lot of the people who know me would describe me as friendly and outgoing, people who I feel uncomfortable around may think differently. People assume that an extrovert doesn’t need time alone to recharge and rebalance and that they don’t allow themselves to feel judged by others- this is definitely not the case. An extrovert who is constantly in the company of others is bound to need a break.
Over my time at Uni, I have naturally become more gregarious and, as I move into my final year, I feel more confident when it comes to speaking up, taking on leadership roles and meeting new people. As someone who has always struggled to be myself in new situations due to my battle with anxiety, I do feel that knowing who you are and feeling confident in that did help me to become more extroverted. Whilst I am still nervous when speaking up in seminars and overthink what I say to new people, I have come a long way from the girl who dreaded being picked on in a zoom call.
-Molly Jackson