Comments on: An introvert in college – how to survive and even thrive! http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive The blog of a happy introvert! Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:22:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: K** http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2419 K** Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:05:22 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2419 Hi Elena 3 years through college and i have seen a bunch of people rise and fall. Studies go only so far. Have a heart to heart with your mother. Find her expectations. And redefine 'try your best'. Studies matter a lot. But the rest of the world matters a lot as well. It won't matter if one has a 4.0 if one doesn't know how to cross the road. You are striving to strike a balance. And know that you have to make an effort. You have already taken the first and most difficult step in my opinion. Kudos. I would recommend trying to get out more. Go for a walk every day. Make a genuine effort to look around. You will find something interesting. A sport maybe. A local e-gaming cafe. Art. Tech. Anything. A part time job will do you good. Find someone who watches the same tv shows/movies as you. Discuss the plot with them. Possible future line of the plot in the tv show. There will be many people who piss you off in this world. Frankly speaking, it wont be fun with everyone agreeing to exactly what you are saying and thinking. Life would be boring. And among all these people lie the gems that become true friends. Its just a matter of sifting through all the garbage. Hi Elena
3 years through college and i have seen a bunch of people rise and fall.
Studies go only so far. Have a heart to heart with your mother. Find her expectations. And redefine ‘try your best’.
Studies matter a lot. But the rest of the world matters a lot as well. It won’t matter if one has a 4.0 if one doesn’t know how to cross the road.
You are striving to strike a balance. And know that you have to make an effort.

You have already taken the first and most difficult step in my opinion. Kudos.

I would recommend trying to get out more. Go for a walk every day. Make a genuine effort to look around. You will find something interesting. A sport maybe. A local e-gaming cafe. Art. Tech. Anything. A part time job will do you good.
Find someone who watches the same tv shows/movies as you. Discuss the plot with them. Possible future line of the plot in the tv show.

There will be many people who piss you off in this world. Frankly speaking, it wont be fun with everyone agreeing to exactly what you are saying and thinking. Life would be boring. And among all these people lie the gems that become true friends. Its just a matter of sifting through all the garbage.

]]> By: Elena http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2416 Elena Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:15:35 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2416 Hi everyone, I'm guessing this is the place for introverts...Anyway, I am 19 and I have no idea what is wrong with me in the inside. It is the start of a new school year, I’ve met a couple of really nice people (neighbors), classes are eh…ok, but overall, I’m just not happy. I am already really lucky to be able to attend college and to be on my own, but at the same time, I don’t know why I am still so upset. Is it stress or is there something wrong with me? I have a decent course load, but it’s not like major overload or anything. Most of my classes end around 2-3pm, so I have quite a lot of spare time. My mom is a single mom who works her butt off everyday in order to support a family of 7. She is never bossy nor does she ever force me to do things. All she asks from me is for me to do my best in school. I already know that studying is the MOST important thing in college and yes I do try my best. However, the phrase “try my best” to me means, to spend every spare hour on studying, probably just a couple of hours for breaks, but aside from that, I feel like if I put my hours into studying, than that would be considered as my best (every hour I spent doing something else is an hour lost to my studying). I’m currently looking for a pharmacy technician part time or on-call job (for experience not money), but I don’t know if I can handle work with school or if anyone is even willing to hire me for a couple of hours 1-3 times a week. After all, I did mention that in order for me to do my best, I must devote every spare hour to studying. Am I overloading myself ? All I know is that I feel like crap. I am trying to find the right balance between schoolwork and social life, but as an introvert, I normally like to keep to myself. All of last year, all I did was go out of my room for classes and for food, otherwise, I shut myself away from the world. I don’t really have any friends at all, because everyone I meet just doesn’t make me feel comfortable ( I do try and meet people, but it very often fails). They often exclude me in small talks, never invite me to dinners, parties, or events and all they do is use me (as a chauffer because I own a car). I hate how all I am to others is a slave, not a friend. Normally, I am very nice to other people and try to befriend them, help them out if I could, but in today’s society, it seems that people could care less for other people. I guess maybe it’s just because I am too old fashion or something. A lot of people say that I am just too sensitive and that I just “want to be the queen” and have everything my way…but this is not true. All I am asking is for others to be considerate and to use common sense…but NO (this is a given respect people should know). People nowadays just piss the hell out of me. I don’t find anything in reality fun or funny anymore and I can only find joy while watching movies or tv shows. I am just so confused with myself. What should I be doing and how do I do it? Hi everyone,
I’m guessing this is the place for introverts…Anyway, I am 19 and I have no idea what is wrong with me in the inside. It is the start of a new school year, I’ve met a couple of really nice people (neighbors), classes are eh…ok, but overall, I’m just not happy. I am already really lucky to be able to attend college and to be on my own, but at the same time, I don’t know why I am still so upset. Is it stress or is there something wrong with me? I have a decent course load, but it’s not like major overload or anything. Most of my classes end around 2-3pm, so I have quite a lot of spare time. My mom is a single mom who works her butt off everyday in order to support a family of 7. She is never bossy nor does she ever force me to do things. All she asks from me is for me to do my best in school. I already know that studying is the MOST important thing in college and yes I do try my best. However, the phrase “try my best” to me means, to spend every spare hour on studying, probably just a couple of hours for breaks, but aside from that, I feel like if I put my hours into studying, than that would be considered as my best (every hour I spent doing something else is an hour lost to my studying). I’m currently looking for a pharmacy technician part time or on-call job (for experience not money), but I don’t know if I can handle work with school or if anyone is even willing to hire me for a couple of hours 1-3 times a week. After all, I did mention that in order for me to do my best, I must devote every spare hour to studying. Am I overloading myself ? All I know is that I feel like crap. I am trying to find the right balance between schoolwork and social life, but as an introvert, I normally like to keep to myself. All of last year, all I did was go out of my room for classes and for food, otherwise, I shut myself away from the world. I don’t really have any friends at all, because everyone I meet just doesn’t make me feel comfortable ( I do try and meet people, but it very often fails). They often exclude me in small talks, never invite me to dinners, parties, or events and all they do is use me (as a chauffer because I own a car). I hate how all I am to others is a slave, not a friend. Normally, I am very nice to other people and try to befriend them, help them out if I could, but in today’s society, it seems that people could care less for other people. I guess maybe it’s just because I am too old fashion or something. A lot of people say that I am just too sensitive and that I just “want to be the queen” and have everything my way…but this is not true. All I am asking is for others to be considerate and to use common sense…but NO (this is a given respect people should know). People nowadays just piss the hell out of me. I don’t find anything in reality fun or funny anymore and I can only find joy while watching movies or tv shows. I am just so confused with myself. What should I be doing and how do I do it?

]]> By: Sandy http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2399 Sandy Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:13:20 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2399 Thank you Erin and Cb. Thank you Erin and Cb.

]]> By: cb http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2394 cb Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:22:54 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2394 I think you're doing great! Erin's right - just that little bit every day is a great start, and pretty soon there will be things to talk about that you all know about, as time goes on and events happen. Football games or midterms or other big things should be pretty universal. And always feel free to ask them, "Who's Joe?" or whatever they're talking about. That's pretty natural and extroverts always feel free to stop people and ask to be caught up some. I think you’re doing great! Erin’s right – just that little bit every day is a great start, and pretty soon there will be things to talk about that you all know about, as time goes on and events happen. Football games or midterms or other big things should be pretty universal. And always feel free to ask them, “Who’s Joe?” or whatever they’re talking about. That’s pretty natural and extroverts always feel free to stop people and ask to be caught up some.

]]> By: Erin http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2381 Erin Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:34:47 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2381 Hey Sandy! I know just how you feel; sometimes I feel like I don't belong with my friends, either, even though they do genuinely try to include me and want to hang out with me. Sometimes they just talk about things that I really don't have any opinion about. I'd say it's good that you're hanging out with them for a little bit every day. I suggest trying to organize a small outing away from campus with your friends every few weeks; my friends and I like going out for pie at a local restaurant and driving around town, and we're planning on getting away from campus even more this year! Also, if you're not involved with any clubs or groups on campus, I recommend finding a club or two that interests you. It's a really good way to socialize and to meet other people with similar interests to your own. One other thing that I'd recommend is not spending so much of your free time in your room. I enjoy doing homework and working on my laptop in the common areas on campus. It makes me feel a little less lonely, even though I may not be talking to anyone. That's been my experience, anyway. I hope that kind of helps! Hey Sandy!

I know just how you feel; sometimes I feel like I don’t belong with my friends, either, even though they do genuinely try to include me and want to hang out with me. Sometimes they just talk about things that I really don’t have any opinion about. I’d say it’s good that you’re hanging out with them for a little bit every day. I suggest trying to organize a small outing away from campus with your friends every few weeks; my friends and I like going out for pie at a local restaurant and driving around town, and we’re planning on getting away from campus even more this year! Also, if you’re not involved with any clubs or groups on campus, I recommend finding a club or two that interests you. It’s a really good way to socialize and to meet other people with similar interests to your own.

One other thing that I’d recommend is not spending so much of your free time in your room. I enjoy doing homework and working on my laptop in the common areas on campus. It makes me feel a little less lonely, even though I may not be talking to anyone. That’s been my experience, anyway. I hope that kind of helps!

]]> By: Sandy http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-2380 Sandy Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:23:58 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-2380 Wow I feel the same way too. I just started my second year at college and have just completed week 1. I'm feeling so depressed these days for reasons I don't even know. I feel a bit lonely, although for the most part, I normally like being alone, and now, I feel homesick. I've met some new friends and all my neighbors are really nice people although sometimes they could be quite loud (not my style). Btw, I have my own small little single room this year. Anyway, I'm trying to adjust and change from being a complete introvert to being a bit more social. Last year, all I did was go out for classes and for food that was it (my grades turned out to be pretty decent). So far this year, I've been trying to hang out with my new friends for about an hour each day, but I feel like I do not belong, because most of the time, I have no idea what those people are talking about (they have known each other for a long time already). Also, I am a slow reader/learner, so I normally have to take twice or triple the time it takes for others to get work done and that is why I feel like I need to spend all of my time on school work in order to not fall behind. Any suggestions on what I can do? Thanks Wow I feel the same way too. I just started my second year at college and have just completed week 1. I’m feeling so depressed these days for reasons I don’t even know. I feel a bit lonely, although for the most part, I normally like being alone, and now, I feel homesick. I’ve met some new friends and all my neighbors are really nice people although sometimes they could be quite loud (not my style). Btw, I have my own small little single room this year. Anyway, I’m trying to adjust and change from being a complete introvert to being a bit more social. Last year, all I did was go out for classes and for food that was it (my grades turned out to be pretty decent). So far this year, I’ve been trying to hang out with my new friends for about an hour each day, but I feel like I do not belong, because most of the time, I have no idea what those people are talking about (they have known each other for a long time already). Also, I am a slow reader/learner, so I normally have to take twice or triple the time it takes for others to get work done and that is why I feel like I need to spend all of my time on school work in order to not fall behind. Any suggestions on what I can do? Thanks

]]> By: cb http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-1912 cb Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:42:16 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-1912 Erin I'm so glad to hear that this article was of use to you. I know it does make us feel so much better to have someone who's shared the same situations, and yet we introverts often think we're all alone in things like that. Very glad you're getting your own room - and finding some good activities too. Please let us know how it's going, as the school year gets going! Erin I’m so glad to hear that this article was of use to you. I know it does make us feel so much better to have someone who’s shared the same situations, and yet we introverts often think we’re all alone in things like that. Very glad you’re getting your own room – and finding some good activities too. Please let us know how it’s going, as the school year gets going!

]]> By: Erin http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-1898 Erin Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:14:24 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-1898 Oh my goodness, I can't thank you enough for this article! I just finished my first year of college and am preparing to start my second, and this article describes the exact things that I felt during my first year: the extroverted roommate/neighbors who like to stay up late, feeling lonely but not really knowing why, feeling guilty because I didn't like partying and staying up until 2 a.m....spot on. I felt like I was kicking my roommate out of our dorm room most nights just so I could sleep :( I am getting my own room this next year away, and I plan on working with my college counseling center and getting more involved with campus activities so I can better utilize my strengths. Thanks again!!! Oh my goodness, I can’t thank you enough for this article! I just finished my first year of college and am preparing to start my second, and this article describes the exact things that I felt during my first year: the extroverted roommate/neighbors who like to stay up late, feeling lonely but not really knowing why, feeling guilty because I didn’t like partying and staying up until 2 a.m….spot on. I felt like I was kicking my roommate out of our dorm room most nights just so I could sleep :( I am getting my own room this next year away, and I plan on working with my college counseling center and getting more involved with campus activities so I can better utilize my strengths. Thanks again!!!

]]> By: cb http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-1042 cb Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:47:49 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-1042 Good for you Sarah! :) It's great that you're able to be yourself and not worry about what others *expect* or *should* or any of that other futile stuff. Sounds like you have a very full plate - and a wonderful "plate" at that. :) Good for you Sarah! :) It’s great that you’re able to be yourself and not worry about what others *expect* or *should* or any of that other futile stuff. Sounds like you have a very full plate – and a wonderful “plate” at that. :)

]]> By: Sarah http://introvertzone.com/introvert-in-college-survive-and-thrive/comment-page-1#comment-1033 Sarah Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:31:51 +0000 http://introvertzone.com/?p=467#comment-1033 Oooh! The Introvert Zone! *eyes glisten* This is fantastic. I'm a year short of a psychology bachelor's. I don't have many close friends and I really don't have any here at college, aside from my husband. I'm also a mommy to a 3 year old, so even if I was an extrovert, chances are I wouldn't be much more social than I am. But I'm happy! And I'm happy with who I am. I try not to focus on what people *expect* me to be, but instead I focus on who I am. I'm 25 and I'm not going to change any time soon. .-= Sarah´s last blog ..<a href="http://bonesspoilers.blogspot.com/2010/02/emily-tj-talk-about-favorite-fox-shows.html">Emily & TJ Talk About Favorite Fox Shows</a> =-. Oooh! The Introvert Zone! *eyes glisten* This is fantastic. I’m a year short of a psychology bachelor’s. I don’t have many close friends and I really don’t have any here at college, aside from my husband. I’m also a mommy to a 3 year old, so even if I was an extrovert, chances are I wouldn’t be much more social than I am. But I’m happy! And I’m happy with who I am. I try not to focus on what people *expect* me to be, but instead I focus on who I am. I’m 25 and I’m not going to change any time soon.
Sarah´s last blog ..Emily & TJ Talk About Favorite Fox Shows My ComLuv Profile

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