Navigating College as an Introvert

A guide for the socially anxious student.

by KARI MARVEL ★ NOVEMBER 14, 2022

As an introverted 18-year-old, moving into college was quite an adjustment. Making friends has never been easy for me. I tend to overthink almost every word that comes out of my mouth when meeting someone new. It felt like everyone had already found their "forever" friends by move-in, and I felt isolated—I bet many can relate. Slowly, I started to open up, but it took much longer than I would like to admit. 

I never considered myself to be an "introvert" until going to college. By the end of the day, I found myself burnt out and just wanting to binge Netflix alone, in bed. But, when you share a room with a roommate and have friends coming in and out, this isn't so easy. Over the past year, I have discovered ways to cope with being an introverted college student that have allowed me to navigate my college life while accepting my persona. 

#1: Go for a Walk

Hot girl walks are all the rage right now, but I am talking about a different kind of walk—a walk where you swap the ankle weights for an iced coffee (or matcha, whatever your preference is). Put on headphones, listen to a podcast or mellow music, and take a ~relaxing~ walk. I love taking walks alone in the morning to get my coffee, or if you want to save money, make the coffee at home and take the long route to class. The alone time early in the day allows you to have a clear mindset, set intentions, create goals for the day, sit with your thoughts, and enjoy the internal “silence.” These extra 10 or 15 minutes in the morning set your day up for success with a full social battery. 

#2: Noise Canceling Headphones 

My headphones are one of the best investments I have made as a college student. When I need to get away from the constant social scene, my headphones are my saving grace. Doing homework, walking to class, alone in the dining hall—my headphones are on. They are my security blanket as an introvert, and I often can't leave the dorm without them.

#3: Learning to Say “No.”

One of the hardest things to do as an introvert and someone with social anxiety is to speak up for yourself. Setting boundaries is healthy and needed, especially for an introvert. Setting these boundaries with friends allows you to say "no" when you need a break, and your friends will understand. Sometimes a stay-at-home movie night is exactly what the doctor ordered. 

Get Involved With Your Passions 

Everyone, and I mean everyone, tells you to get involved on campus. I was hesitant to join any clubs or activities at first—walking up to the tables on the quad was a little too confrontational for my 18-year-old self. Luckily, I had a friend with me who pushed me to sign up for a few email lists, UGirl being one of them. Getting involved doesn't have to be scary, it is an easy way to meet people in a casual and less stressful setting, and you already have common ground to start a conversation.

I am here to tell you that introversion is not a weakness. It gets easier, and I hope that these tips and tricks can help some fellow over-thinkers navigate their way through the college social scene. You will find people who charge your social battery instead of draining it and respect you when you need time for yourself.