College is, quite indisputably, one of life’s most social chapters for the obvious reason that it is a world where one eats, sleeps, studies, and parties with a population of friends and peers. In the world of 2016, the 24/7 connection to social media exacerbates this reality, to the point where being truly alone is close to unattainable, almost unfathomable. On the outset, this doesn’t seem to pose too much of an issue—after all, constant interaction is what makes college life so special and fun, which it is, to a certain extent. Living with hundreds of students your own age is absolutely incredible; however, making quality time for oneself is a fundamental aspect of life on campus that tends to be overlooked.

What distinguishes our generation, from those before us, is that physically removing oneself from friends does not equal being truly alone. Phones and laptops make that impossible. Even the classic "staying in to watch Netflix on a Friday night" gets cluttered with Snapchats, Instagrams, texts, and Facebook posts. We are so accustomed to the influx of virtual interaction that cutting it off completely, even for a short period of time, seems absurd. Yet there are benefits to being actually, completely alone that we have become a little too willing to forgo without a second thought.

Everyone—introverts and extroverts alike—stand to gain from clocking time away from the flood of constant updates and information from friends and family. I think the underlying root of the value of being alone is its solidifying of identity. It seems odd, but if you are constantly surrounded by other people’s noise—virtually and physically—then when do you have time to sort and process your world into something that you can react to and truly make your own? Participating in what is essentially a constant stream of conversation, whether it is with your roommate, over text, or social media, is an addicting habit that most of us are accustomed to. What I’ve come to realize is that putting time aside to be absolutely alone—texting not included—is essential to growing into your own person and getting to truly know oneself on a deeper level. It’s as simple as putting headphones in on the walk to class and thinking about the internship you want to pursue for the summer. As easy as a 45-minute run where you get the chance to actually digest the fact that you’re graduating next year and adulthood is coming despite every fiber in your being willing it to stay at bay. It’s being abroad in a new city and deciding to spend an hour wandering companionless, putting your own navigational skills to the test and mulling over all the exciting new places you plan on visiting, not because they’re the ones you hear about from friends or see on Instagram, but because they are the authentic hopes and dreams of the only person that you should actually be listening to moving forward: you!