I would definitely say I'm an introvert. I hate loud noises, parties, crowds or being at any social event for longer than a few hours. So imagine the culture shock I got when I moved to attend a performing arts college.

I would say I have some traits of an extrovert, but overall, I'm somebody who is very quiet until you definitely get to know me. Even then, I still like to be alone most of the time. Moving to college was a huge change for someone like me, where everybody wants to hang out, go out drinking or throw a wild party. I don't really enjoy any of those things.

I feel like I am a walking contradiction. Being a performer, I love to be on stage and to be in front of an audience. I would always wonder why somebody who is so confident on stage lacks confidence in and has a general disdain for large social situations. Don't get me wrong, I have amazing friends. We have a great time when we do things together. When it comes to constantly being around large groups of people I don't know or extravagant social situations, I find them draining.

A "party" to me is hanging out with my best friend, catching up on Breaking Bad with sour patch kids and gummy bears until three in the morning. My idea of a "fun night" is watching a movie, snuggling with my cat and practicing my cupcake decorating skills. Netflix is my drug of choice! And none of that changed once I went to college. In fact, it became more prominent in my life. I don't have a roommate like most college students, so I spend a lot of my time alone. And what's more, I prefer it. It gives me a chance to recharge after a long day and focus on my course work.

At first, I thought this was a bad thing. Once I got back to school after winter break, I tried exceedingly hard to go out with friends and have a good time with a huge group of people. But I found out quickly that just isn't who I am. I can't be up until four in the morning with twenty people in my dorm chatting with me because I'm the person who's in the single dorm begging them to be quiet because I have an 8 a.m. the next day. And you know what? That's OK.

In a world that values extroverts, people view being an introvert as a problem, like something is wrong with you. I disagree. It is totally OK if you'd rather spend your free time alone relaxing rather than going out drinking or socializing. It's perfectly fine if you truly feel comfortable around a limited number of people. I've learned that when it comes to friends it's quality over quantity. Your true friends will accept you for who you are, it won't be about how you like to spend your Friday nights.

I thought being in college meant that I was going to be way more social than I was in high school. But now, I've accepted that that's just not me. And to all my fellow introverts out there who are struggling with this, it's OK. You'll find your people and your comfort zone, and until then, know there's at least one person out there who feels the same way as you ... and you know that old saying, “watch out for the quiet ones."