Some people may think that I want to be heard or seen, but clearly that is not the case. I am the one person that you may never truly notice in a crowded place, in class or in general, but for now that’s exactly how I like it to be. I tend to sit in the back of classes and try not to speak often and most of all try not make eye contact with professors. I believe that if I make eye contact that I most likely will be called on and will have to speak in front of the entire class. I would rather have thinking time to myself to keep reflecting on the question at hand, I’m not afraid of getting the answer wrong because I always have several ways that I believe a question could be answered and I’m definitely not afraid of being wrong. The fact of the matter is I’m just afraid to speak what I think and/or believe.

There is also a stereotype about introverted people that says we are all shy and some people may also think that I am shy. In my case, shyness depends on the situation. I’m not saying that you are wrong in thinking that I am shy, but if you had the chance to get to know me, you may think something completely different. In classes I may be very shy, but I honestly do not know very many people in my classes. I am not the one who will initiate a conversation unless I truly have to. I will try to interact with group members when projects are assigned, however, I often try to listen more than express my own ideas at first. My favorite professor told me that I am too smart to be shy and that she is going to break my shyness. She has been working hard to accomplish this goal, but I’m not sure if it will ever be completely broken.

While I am introverted, it does not mean that I hate all people. I may not always love social interactions – lengthy ones to be exact – but I do like a lot of people, including my family. I may not always attend all of the events that people want me to, but I am not an anti-social person. I can handle a lot of social interaction, but usually only for a certain amount of time and then I really need to escape and have time to myself to regroup. I do not need a lot of attention at these social interactions either. If the spotlight is off me, I am typically happier. An example where the spotlight was on me for a short time was when I had to give the Valedictorian speech on my graduation day. Even though all eyes and ears were on me, I was able to get through the five minutes that I was in the spotlight without hesitating. As an introvert you can make strides throughout your whole life and even a few minutes in the spotlight can be one of the highlights of your day or even life.

Lastly, I will offer a word of advice to introverts like me. Embrace it and don’t let a world made for extroverts change who you are or want to be in life.