# Introvert in Dorm **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 18, 2014, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132 "2014-01-18T05:23:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/41 "2014-01-19T01:21:08Z")
Glad you feel better. Do stop by from time to time and let us know how you are doing. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/42 "2014-01-19T01:40:14Z")
I was always a desperately lonely emotional basketcase the first couple few days in a new place, whether it was high school, college, military, etc. If you suck at finding friends it’s okay because they’ll find you, as long as you don’t expect them to find you in your room. Anywhere but your room, would be a good place to be. Pretty soon you’ll cherish the privacy of your single room, but until then avoid the place. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/43 "2014-01-19T15:36:21Z")
I had the same thing happen the first few days of freshman year. This huge pulse of feeling overwhelmed and lonely and desperately out of place. You’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/44 "2014-01-19T22:35:07Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Have you tried an improv class? Check and mate. ---
**Author:** ![amorali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3e96dc/32.png) [@amorali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amorali)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/45 "2014-01-20T01:51:58Z")
Trust me it’s better to be alone than to be with an insane loud crazy person who stinks and brings other crazies to your room. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/46 "2014-01-20T14:24:08Z")
I lived in military barracks for a few years. The first one in basic training was open with about 20 people in the same room. Later I had to share a room with one or two other people. The communal bathroom was down the hall. I would have loved a single room back in those days! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/47 "2014-01-20T14:30:28Z")
Take a book (study or just leisure reading material) and find somewhere to sit in a common area, library or coffee lounge, etc - someone may strike up a conversation with you, or you may overhear a nearby group talking about something that interests you (it should be OK to say “Hi, I couldn’t help overhearing you’re talking about X - mind if I join you?”). If none of the above happens, you’ve got a book to read, so you’re not wasting your time. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/48 "2014-01-20T14:40:57Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Take a book (study or just leisure reading material) and find somewhere to sit in a common area, library or coffee lounge, etc - someone may strike up a conversation with you, or you may overhear a nearby group talking about something that interests you (it should be OK to say “Hi, I couldn’t help overhearing you’re talking about X - mind if I join you?”). Do you genuinely believe this will work, especially that last bit? Has it ever worked for you? ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/49 "2014-01-20T15:15:36Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Do you genuinely believe this will work, especially that last bit? Has it ever worked for you? I can attest that this is in fact the only way I have ever made friends at college outside of people from my major classes (which didn’t end up being as good friends in the end as the people I met randomly using this method) Rather than a common area in my dorm though, which were never used, I would go take a book or video game and sit outside a lecture hall building during the day. There are always hundreds of people milling about, arriving early for class and leaving class, and eventually one or two will come up and ask you what you’re doing/reading/playing (especially if you sit in a strange place). Then they introduce you to all their friends and BAM you’re good! Sitting alone at lunch is also a surefire way to get “pity conversations” over time. I never wanted them but people really thought something was wrong that I would eat alone, and would butt in on my lunch break to make me “feel better”. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/50 "2014-01-20T16:38:45Z")
My inclination towards seeing someone reading a book would be to leave them alone. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/51 "2014-01-20T16:57:28Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > My inclination towards seeing someone reading a book would be to leave them alone. > > Just sayin’. Oh yes, it doesn’t exactly get a hundred people to say hello but it does get somebody to eventually just by virtue of being near people, because some people are like that. Regardless, it does put you into earshot of other people which is a fine opportunity for butting in on their conversations. My conversation interruptions never panned out but it’s not like I did it much anyway. After that initial person who asked me what game I was playing and the subsequent introduction to a dozen people afterwards (and the introduction to more people from those people), I had no more need to go searching for opportunities. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/52 "2014-01-21T00:58:34Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > and eventually one or two will come up and ask you what you’re doing/reading/playing I infer that you are a girl/woman. I guess that ‘Mathematics’ is too, so I guess that would work for both of you. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/53 "2014-01-21T03:50:25Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > I infer that you are a girl/woman. I guess that ‘Mathematics’ is too, so I guess that would work for both of you. :rolleyes: The people who would greet me were invariably straight women, and only one was worth being friends with anyway - and my point is that’s all it takes to open up a friend of a friend network. If you’re implying that my boobs did the trick, you don’t know the half of what I look or act like. I’m pretty sure simply being male doesn’t project some sort of “stay away he’s a creeper” field out in public just by existing. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Arabella\_Flynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@Arabella\_Flynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arabella_Flynn)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/54 "2014-01-22T03:50:56Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Do you genuinely believe this will work, especially that last bit? Has it ever worked for you? It’s worked for me. You don’t always get a lasting friendship out of it, but if nothing else, you’ve had a pleasant conversation about something you were all interested in, and practiced approaching people in a friendly fashion. Works best if the topic isn’t too personal, though. I’d keep it to things like, “Pardon me, I couldn’t help but overhear you were thinking of joining the Underwater Basket-Weaving Club. Did you know they’re having a new members meeting next week? Free pizza.” ---
**Author:** ![Osiris\_the\_1st](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9de0a6/32.png) [@Osiris\_the\_1st](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osiris_the_1st)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/55 "2014-01-22T15:42:26Z")
Consider going through rush and maybe pledging a fraternity/sorrority (I don’t know your gender so choose the appropriate one.) I was fairly isolated during my first 2 years of college until I went through rush. Even though I didn’t get innitiated (gotta keep up with classes at the same time). It did provide me with good social contacts, including my future spouse. FTR I never thought of myself as a frat kind of guy, but it turns out that the fraternities were more diverse than I had anticipated. I managed to find a good fit at least for a semester or so. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/56 "2014-01-22T19:28:08Z")
> [@Mathematics](#): > > I’m not going to try to make friends, exactly, Why not? Seems like you bemoan the loneliness but expect people to come to you; to reach out to you… You’re willing to become _ **active on campus** _ but not willing to try and make friends? I don’t get it. The only person you can truly complain about being lonely to will be yourself. Ask people in your classes to participate in a study group… Participate in student government… Join a service club… Sign up for intramurals… Ask someone on a date… Ask lots of different people on dates… ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/57 "2014-01-22T20:01:26Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Why not? Seems like you bemoan the loneliness but expect people to come to you; to reach out to you… > > You’re willing to become _ **active on campus** _ but not willing to try and make friends? > > I don’t get it. The only person you can truly complain about being lonely to will be yourself. > > Ask people in your classes to participate in a study group… > Participate in student government… > Join a service club… > Sign up for intramurals… > Ask someone on a date… > Ask lots of different people on dates… My point with that is that I’m not going to be desperate to make friends. It’s not going to be my main aim. Rather, I’m going to enjoy myself, participate, be open, and see what happens. And I don’t really want dates. Anyway, as an update, things have been going pretty well, I would say. I’ve met a few people in my classes but I haven’t seen them in the dining hall or anything. I have mounds of work already and not much time to feel lonely. One group that is related to my hobby is meeting tonight, but I think it might be cancelled since it’s so cold. So that’s kind of sad. Yeah, I’m not sure what to say. I don’t have any pals yet but I’m doing fine regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/58 "2014-01-22T21:53:42Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Do you genuinely believe this will work, especially that last bit? Has it ever worked for you? Yes - many times - recently (well, a few months back), for example - on a train journey; I was seated within earshot of a two people who were speculating on the identity of a tree beside the platform at a station. I identified it, so I just leaned over and said “I couldn’t help overhearing you talking about that tree - it’s a walnut tree” - and that’s all it took to start a genuinely friendly conversation that lasted for the remainder of the journey. In a different context (i.e. if I could reasonably expect to run into the same people again the next day or week), that might have been the start of a friendship. I’m not suggesting it’s always (or even frequently) appropriate to leap in and ask to join any conversation - and you have to try to sense whether your interruption is welcome, or an annoyance, but it’s certainly possible. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/59 "2014-01-22T21:56:05Z")
Get a gaming system if you don’t have one already. When I was in college, a lot of guys on the floor played Madden and NES baseball against each other. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132/60 "2014-01-22T22:22:53Z")
If the OP is genuinely an introvert and is more or less okay with that, then telling him/her how to be an extrovert isn’t all that helpful. Get out and talk to people! Well, duh. Somehow I’ve managed to make it almost a half century as a shy introvert, and looking back on my life, most of my best friends were more extroverted types who more or less barged into my life. That can’t happen if you hide in your room though. So, you have to put yourself out there and be more or less available, but you can’t really expect an introvert to speed-date their way through every room they enter. That’s the extroverts’ job. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132.md?page=4)