This article has been syndicated from Ryality, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.
Moving into a dorm is a huge lifestyle change. If you’re an introvert, that can make the adjustment even harder. Here are some tips from one introvert to another on how to tackle dorm life!
A lot of people have the misconception that introverts are antisocial or shy. However, that’s not true. Being an introvert just means that you need time alone to recharge after social interaction. Living in a dorm can make getting time alone pretty hard though, and odds are you have a roommate and are literally never alone. Don’t worry. I’ve been in your shoes, and I have some tips that will help you be able to recharge in your dorm despite sharing your space with someone else.
Last semester, I had a pretty rough time. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my roommate and we got along really well. I’m just so introverted that I had a really hard time living in a room with someone. I just felt so burned out all of the time because I never got time to recharge, and I always wanted to go home just so that I could have some time alone. Over the semester though, I tried some different things to try to make myself feel a little better, and now I bring to you my best tips for living in a dorm as an introvert.
Get earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
The first tip that I have for you is to get some ear plugs asap. This is one of the first things I did that helped me out. It seems kind of weird, but if you have some ear plugs or noise canceling headphones it makes it a bit easier for you to think that you’re alone in your dorm because you won’t be able to hear your roommate.
Having headphones or earplugs is also really helpful if you are wanting to take a nap or if you need to get some studying done, because dorms are typically pretty noisy in general. Before I got my earplugs I could always hear people upstairs and outside when I was trying to nap.
Cherish your time in the shower
This one might sound a bit weird, but odds are the only time that you will get to be alone is when you are showering. Take that time to just relax and just enjoy being alone. I personally take the longest showers of anyone that I know, so obviously I cherish my shower time. If you can, take your sweet time so that you can enjoy a little bit of alone time to recharge.
Go stay with a friend if you need to
Something that helped me a lot last semester was going to my friend’s house if I was feeling a little overwhelmed. No matter how much you like your roommate, it can be pretty hard to be around someone 24/7 without getting burned out. Take some time away if you need to! It can be really nice to just get out of your dorm for a night to just spend some time with a friend, even if you’re not entirely alone.
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