3 answers
Carissa
Student
Marietta, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best piece of advice for someone's transition into college for an introverted person who is afraid to put themselves out into a new world?
I am a senior in high school looking to engage in various activities around my college, but I do not love talking to new people often.
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3 answers
Tracy Davis
Telecom
2
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Tracy’s Answer
Hi Carissa,
You don't need to become an extrovert or join lots of clubs. Just take small, easy steps to help your world grow instead of shrink.
The first weeks of college are important. If you start by making small efforts to connect with your surroundings, things will feel easier and more natural later on. This way, you can stay true to yourself.
Choose structured socialization instead of random mangling (Clubs with regular meeting, Study Groups and Volunteer Events)
Try a two event rule the first month
Find one familiar face instead f a whole new friend group
Prepare smple starter lines so you don't overthink ("Hey is this seat taken", " How are you liking your classes so far", or "Have you been to any other events like this one?"))
You don't need to become an extrovert or join lots of clubs. Just take small, easy steps to help your world grow instead of shrink.
The first weeks of college are important. If you start by making small efforts to connect with your surroundings, things will feel easier and more natural later on. This way, you can stay true to yourself.
Tracy recommends the following next steps:
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Carissa 👋🏻...
Transitioning into college feels huge for anyone, but for introverts it can feel like stepping into a world that moves louder and faster than you’re used to. The trick isn’t to force yourself to become outgoing; it’s to create small, comfortable openings where connection can happen naturally.
One of the best pieces of advice is to start with low-pressure spaces instead of big, social events. Join a club, study group, or campus activity where people bond over something shared. When you’re doing something you enjoy—volunteering, gaming, fitness, writing, anything—the conversation almost starts itself. You don’t have to perform. You just show up.
Also, give yourself permission to go slow. You don’t need a huge friend group in the first week. Most real friendships in college come from repeated small interactions: sitting next to the same person in class, saying hi in the hallway, working on one project together.
If talking to new people feels scary, try this: aim for one tiny interaction a day. Asking someone if they know the homework. Complimenting a cool backpack. Holding the door. These micro-moments build confidence without draining you.
And remember, introverts thrive in college more than they expect. You listen deeply, you make thoughtful connections, and the friendships you build tend to be real and long-lasting.
You don’t need to become louder to belong. You just need a few consistent spaces where you feel like yourself and those spaces slowly open up the whole campus.
Transitioning into college feels huge for anyone, but for introverts it can feel like stepping into a world that moves louder and faster than you’re used to. The trick isn’t to force yourself to become outgoing; it’s to create small, comfortable openings where connection can happen naturally.
One of the best pieces of advice is to start with low-pressure spaces instead of big, social events. Join a club, study group, or campus activity where people bond over something shared. When you’re doing something you enjoy—volunteering, gaming, fitness, writing, anything—the conversation almost starts itself. You don’t have to perform. You just show up.
Also, give yourself permission to go slow. You don’t need a huge friend group in the first week. Most real friendships in college come from repeated small interactions: sitting next to the same person in class, saying hi in the hallway, working on one project together.
If talking to new people feels scary, try this: aim for one tiny interaction a day. Asking someone if they know the homework. Complimenting a cool backpack. Holding the door. These micro-moments build confidence without draining you.
And remember, introverts thrive in college more than they expect. You listen deeply, you make thoughtful connections, and the friendships you build tend to be real and long-lasting.
You don’t need to become louder to belong. You just need a few consistent spaces where you feel like yourself and those spaces slowly open up the whole campus.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Carissa. You can join clubs, hobby groups, or campus events. These make meeting people easier because you already share something in common. You don't have to talk a lot, just showing up is enough at first. You may pick one or two activities that truly interest you. When you're around people who share your hobbies, conversations feel more natural and less stressful.
Remember that friendships take time, especially for introverts. You don't need to make best friends in the first week, just start with small moments, like talking to one classmate or sitting near the same people in a lecture. Over time, these small interactions grow into real connections.
You might attend a weekly club meeting, study regularly in the same place, or join a group study session. These repeated experiences make socializing easier because you begin seeing the same faces. As things become familiar, conversations feel more comfortable, and friendships start to grow naturally.
Remember that friendships take time, especially for introverts. You don't need to make best friends in the first week, just start with small moments, like talking to one classmate or sitting near the same people in a lecture. Over time, these small interactions grow into real connections.
You might attend a weekly club meeting, study regularly in the same place, or join a group study session. These repeated experiences make socializing easier because you begin seeing the same faces. As things become familiar, conversations feel more comfortable, and friendships start to grow naturally.