During my time at SNU I have made numerous friends, but I’ve never felt comfortable being around a crowd of people compared to my friends. Because of this, I normally don’t attend events on campus like TWIRP or the football games. However, people often ask me why I prefer being alone. How do I explain to them that I’m an introvert?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary simply defines introvert as “a quiet person who does not find it easy to talk to other people,” and I can partially agree with this term. Introverted people are known for not engaging in long conversations with most people because it leaves them stressed out, but there are other factors that define introversion.
According to Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, says those who are introverted prefer spending a lot of time alone or think better when they’re in a quiet environment. It can be hard to identify introverted people in society, because other psychologists and researchers have proven that the majority of people in the world are extraverted — meaning “an outgoing person.”
Extraverted people are known for engaging in small talk, freely expressing their opinion and thrive being around others. While it is possible for someone to have both introverted/extraverted characteristics, most people identify with one of the two groups.
While it is good for students at SNU to come together and share their thoughts and feelings, there are those who choose to hang out in the library or sit alone in the cafeteria instead of most students who enjoy loud music and sitting next to numerous other people like them.
I do enjoy being around my classmates, but only for a certain period of time before I start to feel weary and decide to be by myself. As I walk around campus looking for a quiet place to study, I notice a handful of SNU students who are also alone. Many of them are reserved, but they’re not shy. It can be hard for students who are introverted to find a place on campus that offers peace and quiet 24/7, but mingling with extraverted students enables us to get out of our comfort zone one step at a time.
Interacting with extraverted students on campus allows those who are introverted to develop better social skills and have a new perspective on life. Socializing can be hard for some students and easy for others, but it is important to recognize every student regardless of how many extracurricular activities he/she attends.
Overall, there is a diverse community of students at SNU. Introverted students like me are having a hard time being among people who behave differently, but we are slowly becoming more social as we interact with more and more students. Perhaps one day, I will be comfortable enough to sit through an entire basketball game without feeling the need to leave early.
References:
“Introvert.” www.Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, N.D. Web. 8 Nov. 2016.
“Extraverted.” www.Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, N.D. Web. 8 Nov. 2016.
Whitbourne, Susan Krauss. “Nine Signs You’re Really an Introvert.” Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
[author image=”http://echo.snu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20151024_194129.jpg”]
Jacob Hicks, Guest Writer
Jacob Hicks is a sophomore English major. He is a member of the LIFE program, and enjoys reading. [/author]