Introverts and College: Survive and Thrive

Personality type is important to consider when deciding on the college or university that is right for you, especially if you tend toward being introverted. It’s worth it to really think about yourself as an actual student at a particular university or college – to imagine how your natural personality type would approach your studies and your interactions with other people: students and professors alike.

More about you

Being introverted does not necessarily imply you are shy. It does mean that you are likely to naturally turn your focus inwards and, therefore, exert a great deal of energy when you have to deal with large groups of people.  It’s important to think about what this means for your choice of college. For example, the thrill and excitement that often characterizes a large, sports-loving university mean that, in principle, students who are more extroverted (gain energy from social interaction-focus attention on the outside world) might find this type of environment more stimulating. On the other hand, as an introvert, you may like the idea of a large, exciting student body, but be aware that to share in this excitement, you may be going against your natural way of preferring to retire to your inner world—to recharge your batteries.

Class size and professor/student interaction

Here’s something to think about: As an introvert, would you feel comfortable going up to your professor amidst the large crowd of students already waiting in line?  Would you be okay with not getting personalized feedback from your professor?  Consider that at a large university, your natural introverted need for depth and discussion cannot necessarily be met.  It could mean a year or two going by—before you make it into smaller classes and, by that time, you may have already grown personally frustrated with yourself and the school you have chosen. But keep in mind that you are in very good company. A third to a half of the American population leans toward introversion!

You can and will be successful in college! The world needs you, so go forth bravely and find the college environment that best meets your needs.

Resources and tools for the introvert

–      Here is a very practical look at how introverts can especially survive the beginning of their freshman year.

–      This USA Today article takes a closer look at the perceptions of an introvert in college.

–      Here’s an article about the loneliness and people problems introverts can experience at college.

–      Here is a shortened Meyers-Briggs assessment tool and a snapshot of the 8 personality types.

–      A pithy and very helpful article about surviving and thriving in college as an introvert.