Until a certain age, every child is required by law to attend school. For many school-going teens and young adults, high school is a place where they are constantly surrounded by peers and lots of friends, and they enjoy it… ok maybe just the social aspect. However, for introverts this experience may be quite different, as they are generally forced to do the following “anti-introvert” things.
1) Socialize …or not
Whether you attend a big or relatively small high school, you are surrounded by a larger number of people your age than you are used to. This can either be great for you or not so much. Most introverts are overwhelmed simply by the number of people who attend their school. For those who are claustrophobic, it is even worse.
For one, they don’t feel like they have enough personal space. Ever. Like, does the setup of classroom desks have to be so close??? And second, they are forced into this sea of people and are expected to magically just socialize and not be socially awkward when they would much rather be alone or just with a couple friends. The struggle.
2) Present
We all had that one teacher who would not let a year go by without having the class present. (Or was that all of them?) On the day this assignment is announced, every introvert dies inside. They would rather have a test, after school detention, anything but to have to present in front of the whole class.
To the introvert, this is cruel and unusual punishment at its finest. And of course on presentation day, there is that dilemma of “Do I go first and get it over with?” Or “Do I try to be invisible for as long as I can and hope I don’t get called on?”
3) Partners
Group work is always fun, right? Sure! Until the teacher says you have to pick your partner. Since you really only talk to your best friends, you don’t gather a group in time. After everyone is grouped and you’re still just kinda standing awkwardly, the teacher asks the entire class who will take you in their group. And then comes the pause and all eyes are on you until someone raises their hand. This is one time you truly wish you had the power of invisibility.
4) Go to lunch
Lunch time in school is fun for everyone, even introverts! However, in some schools, the lunch times are staggered so that the cafeteria can handle the number of students more easily. So, sometimes you don’t get the same lunch time as your friends. For super introverted people, who only communicated minimally at school, this is the worst. First of all, it is always crowded in the caf and the buzz of everyone talking (and sometimes yelling) can be overwhelming. You try to find a quiet area to eat, away from the masses, but as people finish, they spread out to different areas, slowing invading your space.
5) Pep rallies
Like assemblies, pep rallies just mean you don’t have to be in class and everyone is happy about that. Most students genuinely enjoy pep rallies though. They see a ton of their friends, there’s music, dancing, cheerleaders, football players and lots of hype. Introverts on the other hand, would prefer to just go home and not be squished into bleachers with tons of people they do not associate with.
The music can be really overwhelming and the screaming. Just why? It is hard for introverts to catch on to this hype. But it is better than being in class, so hey they’ll take it.