The thought of coming back to school can be daunting for a lot of students (including me)! The pandemic has taken a toll on many of us not only physically, but mentally as well. As someone who is an introvert with social anxiety, here are some of my recommendations for surviving college:
Join a club or sport that matches your interests
This might be a given, but I didn’t join any clubs until my junior year of college and I am so happy with the new friends I have made who share common interests. If there isn’t a club that is screaming your name, make one!
Bring your headphones EVERYWHERE
As someone who is an introvert, I do not go anywhere without my headphones. Being in public can be overwhelming, from the hustle and bustle of people walking by to the multiple conversations, and that one person who won’t stop whistling! Headphones are a great way to keep you grounded (and also to avoid people trying to talk to you!)
Fit you time into your daily schedule
What’s the worst thing about college? Burnout. It happens to everyone at some point, but it can be avoided! Making time for yourself is crucial not only for de-stressing from life’s many commitments, but also to recharge after going out! Some of my personal favorite ways to de-stress are: watching murder documentaries, taking a long hot shower, cuddling my cat, and journaling.
Create Boundaries
I struggled a lot with putting others first before myself during my high school/early college career. I would go out with friends even though I wanted to relax at home because I didn’t want to upset them. You and your mental health come first before anything else! If you know that you need time to yourself, say something! This applies to any relationship in your life.
Remember you are not “missing out” by not going!
FOMO affects all of us. It’s really difficult to say no when all of your friends/coworkers are going out. A rule I made for myself before I went to college was I swore to never go to a random college party. You see everyone posting on their Snapchat or Instagram stories about the great time they had and you might wish you had just gone. What I like to do is one: remind myself that I really wouldn’t have enjoyed it, and two: think of how relaxing it was being at home or out doing something else. There will always be a next time for another adventure.
It can be scary for an introvert entering school where there are a lot of social scenes. Always remember that you are your own person and your mental health comes before anything else!