Your ultimate guide to surviving university as an introvert, from an introvert

Do noisy parties and large group outings fill you with dread? Do you often find yourself craving time alone, whether it’s snuggling in bed with your favourite book or watching a movie from the comfort of home? Do you hesitate to speak up in public settings? Does socialising leave you feeling drained?

You might just be an introvert!

For those who don’t know, an introvert is a person who prefers spending time alone or in less stimulating environments.

Too much social stimulation (e.g. loud parties and crowds) can leave introverts feeling drained; solitude helps them recharge. Alternatively, extroverts prefer spending time with people and feel energised by spending time with others. 

Being an introvert at university can seem daunting, what with the stress of adapting to your new environment and having to make new friends. But introverted students can thrive, even if it seems your temperament is more of a bane than a boon.

@imperialcollege Its been a blast #unilife #studentlife #university #freshers ♬ original sound – imperialcollege

How to survive university as an introvert

1. Take advantage of orientation week

Fresher’s Week, O-Week, or Weeks of Welcome (WOW) — whatever it’s called wherever you’re studying, take this period to get all your socialisation done. Most universities will have events or booths showcasing student clubs and university offerings, or maybe a tour of the town you’re located in.

You might have to muster the courage up to brave the crowds, but just know that a bunch of other first-year students (and even second, third, fourth, or postgrads) are mingling around too — you never know, they might be as anxious as you.

Ask the burning questions you have about university or life here to the people manning the counters and booths, because this is the perfect opportunity to get answers, and you’ll just be one face among the many.

Sign up for the student clubs — team sports is a great way to bond with strangers, especially during a time when everyone doesn’t know anyone. And if that’s too much, a sport that lets you play alone but surrounded by people, such as running or swimming, is good too.

There are some clubs that might have a smaller crowd than the rest too, especially those with a niche interest such as UCLA’s Bruin Beekeepers, University of Toronto’s Namaste Medicine, or the University of Sydney’s Pokemon League.

You can also check out some programmes your university offers, like a volunteering initiative or the student union.

If you end up not liking it, there’s really no shame in pulling out and focusing your very little energy elsewhere.

Cillian Murphy (L) is more introverted than Robert Downey Jr. (R), who runs on the extroverted side. Source: AFP

2. Befriend an extrovert

While introverts and extroverts may have different interpretations of “fun” (i.e. having a Netflix marathon in your bedroom vs going to a raucous party), introverts will always benefit from having extroverted friends.

For starters, extroverts, who may thrive in social settings, can help broaden your horizons. You can tap into their social circle and meet new people, or they can give you the push you need to branch out and try something new. This could be anything from going to a party you dreaded (and, surprisingly, find that it wasn’t as bad as you thought), to trying new places to eat.

If socialising doesn’t come naturally to you, you could also learn social cues from your extroverted pals; from getting ideas on small talk topics to learning how to be more outgoing.

Introverts will find it difficult to settle in a new environment, so having a set place to go all the time is always a good way to start. Source: AFP

3. Carving out a space for yourself

Everyone’s heard of fashionably late, but anxiously early is a thing too, especially when you’re gunning on getting to your unassigned assigned seat. And while sometimes the worst can happen — that is, someone taking over your seat — carving out spaces for yourself in different places throughout the campus can play in your favour.

Whether this is in the form of having an unassigned assigned seat in all your lecture halls or classrooms, having a preferred seat in the library, or even a go-to table in the food hall, you’ll begin to notice things that happen around you in that familiar environment.

It’s kind of like your favourite coffee shop’s barista remembering your order or always spotting the same dog and its owner on a walk at the park in the evenings. You become part of the picture, and it’s something that’s uniquely yours — until someone takes your seat, that is.

You need to show up for yourself and give life at university a go. It won’t always be the way you want it to be, and that’s okay too. Source: AFP

4. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone

Many of us are creatures of habit. Be it in the food we eat to the people we mingle with, we prefer familiarity and routine over novelty and variety. Stepping foot into university means getting used to a new environment, new classmates and professors — which can be stressful for introverts.

However, taking baby steps out of your comfort zone will go a long way towards making your life at university more enjoyable. Start by simply greeting your classmates, and if you get along, offer grabbing a coffee together or teaming up on assignments. 

This Redditor stresses the importance of being willing to step out of your comfort zone. “I didn’t try hard enough to put myself out there,” they write. “I didn’t commit to join any clubs and only showed up sometimes so I ended up not building any bonds. Only went to events I didn’t need to talk at, darted out of class as soon as it ended etc. so instead of my communication skills improving they got worse.”

“My advice would be get comfortable with being uncomfortable for a little bit. Join a club you’re interested in perhaps. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to someone you’re sitting by (trust me I know it’s easier said than done). And try not to put too much pressure on yourself.”

5. Embrace your unique self

At times, it can feel difficult to live in a world that seems to favour extroverted individuals — especially in an intense university environment. A long day of classes, group discussions and co-curricular activities can leave an introvert feeling drained, often leading to bedroom hibernation.

While university is an apt time to be proactive and to try new things, it’s also important to know your limits. So while you might want to start saying “yes” to more social outings to get yourself out of your shell, remember that it’s also OK to say “no” if you need to recharge.

Pretending to be an extrovert can be physically and mentally exhausting, so stay true to who you are. Let your friendships bloom naturally — after all, introverts have their unique strengths, and the world needs a balance between introverts and extroverts. 

The most important thing is to show up for yourself and to give things a shot — if you end up not enjoying yourself, you don’t have to go again and at least you can say you tried.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on August 28, 2024.