Being an extrovert can be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re like me, you’re constantly searching for that social interaction that can be found among your closest friends, your fellow students, complete strangers and well, let’s face it, anyone with a pulse and willing to talk. While being a social butterfly comes with the ability to befriend the masses and a variety of other positives, it also comes with a few struggles that my fellow extroverts know all too well.
1. Most of the time, you dislike alone time.
This is basically every extrovert’s worst nightmare. This rarely, if ever, leads to anything good or productive. Time alone will often be spent watching Netflix, wishing you had someone to join you or planning your next social interaction. Even when you are alone (unless you happen to be asleep), you are still communicating with a buddy in some form or fashion.
2. People just never get rid of you.
Oh, so you just came in from lunch with your friends, and they have to go to class? I guess you could just go with them. If their professor kicks you out of the lecture hall, you can just go sit in a public place and make a new friend. We just can’t help the fact that we’re restless after minimal human contact.
3. You accomplish less when you’re by yourself.
You could go lock yourself in your room and get your homework out, but then you would get distracted by the overwhelming amount of silence. When you’re doing homework in a group setting, there’s someone over there sleeping, someone else dancing in the middle of the room, one person is freestyling on the couch beside you, but that’s alright. You’re just happy to be in the presence of others.
4. When you get in trouble, it’s for talking.
Remember in high school when your teachers threatened to give you detention for talking in class? Me too.
5. Lecture-based classes are hard.
Discussion-based classes rock. When extroverts can actively engage in subjects we’re passionate about, sometimes it can be quite difficult to get us to hush.
6. Sadly, not everyone wants to be your friend.
Over the years, this has been one of my toughest realizations. Not everyone will respond to your clever joke in the checkout line. Not everyone will indulge you in conversation in the lobby of your residence hall, and that’s okay. There’s someone out there that will.
If you’re reading this, you can probably relate to it, but don’t let it discourage you. There are plenty of social opportunities for all of you out there. Get involved on your college campus. If there isn’t one that interests you, start your own. Surround yourself with amazing friends that are always ready for fun adventures, and never forget that college is your time to expand your social horizons. To all my little extroverts out there, keep doing your thing, meeting new people and thriving in your favorite social environment.
