By: Mckenzie Herndon
Being an introvert is hard. Being an introvert in college, even harder. But with the help of our friends and a little self love, we can do this!
1. Start off with a small group of close friends
We all want to go straight from high school to college with our close group of friends, but unfortunately most of our friend group probably won’t be following us to college. Don’t try to force yourself to be extra bubbly to make new friends because you will only exhaust yourself trying to keep up. Just stay true to yourself and try to make friends with people you see everyday such as neighbors on your floor or classmates. Seeing them often will help you get comfortable with them and eventually open up. Next thing you know, you’ll want to meet their friends and you’re close group of friends will only grow from there!
Via Image Kim’s Convenience on GIPHY
2. Join a club, any club!
You might know exactly what you want to do with your time in college, but it’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out yet. Don’t overthink it! Our college years are meant for us to discover who we are and what we like, and there’s no better way to figure that out than to join clubs. You need to go in with the mindset that whatever club you’re joining could be the one that changes everything for you. Plus, just think of all the new friends and experiences you can make. You got this!
Via Beat Shazam on GIPHY
3. Have a self-pampering day
After we meet that great group of friends, we typically hang out and do everything together. But being introverts, we need a day just to recharge our batteries and take it easy. Whether or not you think you need it, it’s highly recommend because you never know what assignments or obligations will come up and you don’t want to get burned out early on in your academic career.
Via GIPHY
College isn’t just about getting an education, it’s about networking and making connections. Making friends is the best way to do that and for an introvert, the easiest way is to start small and work your way up. Just remember that not everyone will have the same pace. While you might see a classmate or friend with a full load, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing enough. In time you will get to a point in your life where you will be able to look back on and be proud of coming out of your shell, because true friendships are everything.