I am one of you. I know how it feels to want to be at that party, but need to be alone in a room reading or sleeping. I know how it feels to be over-involved, but needing to drop off the radar. I know the mornings you feel like you can't possibly get out of bed and associate with other human beings when the feeling of being alone pleases you more.

I get it.

It is something that I have honestly struggled with in college. I want to be as involved as I can, soaking up every bit of opportunity this college can provide me with, but I sympathize with the overwhelming feeling of realizing that the introverted lifestyle that is most comfortable is not one in which I could succeed at any of my leadership endeavors. But what I have learned through my time balancing this juggling act of the century is that if it is a beneficial leadership position, you have a network of support that is there for you when you need that break.

Sometimes I can't check my e-mail. Not because I don't care or because I am able to forget about responsibilities for a little bit, but because it wears me down to always be in contact with people. I know how it feels to watch Netflix alone behind a locked door. I know how it feels to turn a phone on "Do Not Disturb Mode" at noon on a Friday. It's heartbreaking to tell your best friend that you need some time alone, but it is a necessity.

What I have learned during my time in college is that sometimes it is important to be assertive and to take care of yourself when you need to. It's important to take a break after a discussion based class. Meetings all day aren't good calls - they're exhausting. By altering the way in which I lived and worked in college, I made it easier to succeed. Those are the things that you don't learn in school or in orientation. You have to learn it on your own and know when too much is too much. But I know that struggle and I understand you. It's terrifying, but in order to feel better, you have to push for better.