Introvert with a Roommate--How to Survive??

Question

I'm very much an introvert, which means that while I do enjoy the company of others, it drains me and I absolutely require quiet time alone to recharge. This year, I'll be living with a roommate. Our room is quite large, but I still wonder if I will be able to survive being constantly around the same person. Are there any survival tips fellow introverts can give? (And please don't tell me I should change--being an introvert is not something I can turn off and on.)

Answer 1

Well, most of the times, you won't always be in the room together.  I would suggest finding the times that you have to be in the room alone and use it to your best ability.

Also when you do get your roommate, sit down and form a roommate agreement that involves when you'll be quiet, policies for guests, for overnight visitors, for boyfriends/girlfriends/people you have relations with, how to come to each other regarding a conflict, smoking, drinking, sharing of common items like dishes, tv, food, etc.  At that time, bring up the fact you are an introvert and that you need your alone time.  Hopefully if they are a cool person, they will understand.

After having MANY roommates in college I've realized you just find a way to ignore them if you need to.  You put your headphones on when watching a tv show on your computer, you go to the library to work on your paper, you find your own little place near where you live to just be on your own.  It isn't as bad as you think as long as the both of you understand and respect each other!  Good luck!

Answer 2

I only got along with 2 of the 10 roomates I had real well, and I hated one of those 10.  The other 7 we all switched roomates again and tolerated each other until next semester each time.  the only thing that kept me in college dorms was manadatory rules.

Answer 3

I assume you are going to college, I would get your room mates class schedule and see when is a good time for you to recharge as you put it.  Once school is started and everything is on its way your room mate will be leaving to hang out with friends and go to class.  I don't think you will have that hard of a time finding you alone time.  If all else fails talk to your room mate and ask for some private time to recoup.  Or you can get a good set of head phones, blast music in your ears, read a book, and create your own private world!

Good Luck

Answer 4

Get your own place !i

Answer 5

I'm with you, I don't see being introverted as a bad thing. When I was in college I never wanted to live with my friends so when I was assigned a random roommate, we split up the rooms. The bedroom was all his while the living room was all mine. I'm not sure if this is possible for your situation.

Also I knew my roommates class and work schedules so that I can have an idea when to be in my room and when not to. Also, I found different spots I could go to be alone to study. I also became friends with other introverts and would rotate who I spent time with. I never liked hanging with same people over and over again except a few exceptions.

Answer 6

Part of the reason you go to college is to learn new social skills.

If you're placed in more frequent social interactions, your body will learn to adapt to them, so you're likely going to be tired at first but find that you can tolerate more exposure with less recharging as time goes on.

Think of it as exercising your social muscles.  The principle is the same.