An Introduction
For most people, high school is an experience of the masses. Most people take great interest in the activities of others, and more often than not use their free time to engage in pastimes that entail the involvement of others on a large scale. Sports and parties are a strong example of this idea in action. However, this is not true of some students, and most definitely not true of myself. In my almost four years of experiencing high school, I have spent most of my free time at home, writing intently as I watch Star Trek or Full Metal Alchemist, or laying back and pondering existence as I flip through a volume of Scott Pilgrim. I’ve been to only one Homecoming Dance, have only sat in the audience of one Pep Rally (I had been filming two others), have not been to and do not plan on going to Prom, and since my Junior year I have only participated in one sport. Why do I and others limit our human interaction in such ways? Why do events like Homecoming and Prom, things that cause so much excitement among most of the student body, incite nothing but apathy from this group? Well, the answer is actually quite simple: more likely than not, the people I have described are introverts. I know that I certainly am.
What is an Introvert?
Webster’s defines an introvert as “a shy person: a quiet person who does not find it easy to talk to other people.” Though elements of this definition are certainly true and certain describe many of the people who fall under the umbrella of introversion, I don’t particularly believe that it applies to everyone who identifies as an introvert. To me, to be an introvert means that you are at your best when left to your own devices. It means that when on your own, you are able to have a greater understanding of who you are and your position in life, and are able to be more creative and more prepared to handle an issue. Working with others isn’t an impossible task, but it is challenging when the people aren’t people you trust or at least have some kind of passing familiarity with. Scenes with large crowds are probably not appealing, and you are in a near constant state of thought. An introvert is someone more in tune with the power of self than anyone else, because introversion forces one to discover their abilities and understanding of the world, often with a limited influence from others.
What is this guide for?
To be perfectly blunt, life is hard. Life is a challenge for everyone, and that is certainly no different for an introvert. The issues of life don’t stop for an introvert, and those issues can take a whole new dimension when you consider that an introvert usually only relies on one’s self. In my experience however, reading is a common activity of the average introvert, so perhaps writing a guide will be a good way to reach some of my like-minded compadres. Throughout this guide, my plan is to give hindsight’s view at trying to survive high school as a holder of a personality that tends to make one very separate from others, and try to show that even if human interaction is not something that comes easily, it can still be achieved while staying true to yourself. So every week (Or at least close to every week, writers are people too you know) I’ll write something up discussing high school life, and tell you how what I’ve learned from nearly 4 years a high school introvert. Perhaps you’ll learn something as I try to rationalize all I experienced over this time into lessons; perhaps you’ll just laugh or find something worth reading when you’re done with your work in the computer lab. Either way, I hope your all ready to join me as I give my piece on succeeding as a high school introvert.
No responses yet