An introvert is more energized by spending time alone and may be shy. An extrovert could be described as someone who enjoys social interaction and tends to feel drained when they’re not interacting with other people.
Extroverts might prefer activities that involve public speaking, have a large group of friends, or work in areas like sales which require them to interact with lots of people.
Introverts might not like big crowds or be intimidated by public speaking, but may enjoy writing, reading, or working on projects where the focus is on themselves.
The college experience can often force introverts to interact more socially than they are used to, but equally some extroverts can find it difficult to find their tribe and fit in with a new set of friends.
What Does an Extroverted College Student Look Like?
Extroverts tend to learn best with a combination of visual and auditory input. While an extrovert might not be the best note-taker in class, they can more easily grasp concepts when they’re explained in different ways.
Students may find it good to practice test-taking skills under timed conditions and try out different studying strategies to see what’s most effective.
Extroverts tend to like interacting with others in a classroom setting because it engages their brain more than listening to a lecture or reading alone would do.
The Struggles of Being an Extroverted College Student
While many articles are dedicated to introverts and how to help them cope with college, extroverts also have problems settling in.
This is particularly true if they don’t go to a college that is right for them. It’s fine to transfer college if you find that the college you are attending isn’t quite the right fit.
This is true for extroverts as well as introverts and students mustn’t feel like they’re stuck somewhere where they aren’t getting out of their comfort zone.
Check out websites like campusreel.org to learn about different colleges and see what the transfer requirements are.
What to Do to Prepare for College as an Extrovert?
Students who are unsure if a college is right for them should reach out to an adviser or counselor at the school. They can give you more information about specific colleges, but they can also help you figure out what kind of environment might be a better fit.
Extroverts can sometimes have trouble being quiet and listening in class because they have so much energy and want to speak up, so they don’t miss anything important.
It can be helpful to take notes in more than one way such as writing down key points while simultaneously listening carefully to the lecture so they can get a more well-rounded understanding.
This can help extroverts avoid feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material and help them retain the information more easily.
What to Do While in College as an Extrovert?
Extroverts tend to have a hard time sitting still and focusing, so try not to overwhelm yourself with too many extracurricular activities, classes, and even jobs.
People fixated on extracurricular activities or jobs tend not to do very well academically.
