That Saturday night party, the history test and the concert everyone went to on Friday consume my thoughts as I walk through South. Not because I was there, but because that loud small talk fills the hallways. The classroom chatter consists of brevity and irrelevant topics that very rarely allow for quiet moments. Without the time to think in solitude, just for a second, how is anyone supposed to function?You might be thinking I’m antisocial or want to live in silence.
However, that belief is the stigma speaking, and oftentimes the furthest from reality. Simply because we don’t immerse ourselves in all social situations doesn’t necessarily mean we’re shy, nor does it mean we’re stuck-up. Just because we don’t always audibly participate in class doesn’t mean we don’t participate. A word to describe this phenomenon is introverted. It’s a lifestyle, a personality and a direction inward people operate under to function in our predominately extroverted world.Without knowledge of the introverted temperament, many people will glide past the introverts and look directly toward extroverts’ outwardly displayed talents. The common perception that introverts are less intelligent than extroverts is changing as people discover introversion’s benefits. Because we’re inclined to be emotionally guarded, we’re usually the type to make circumspect decisions. Unlike extroverts, introverts can hear many more voices than simply their own.
According to Time magazine, 30 percent of people are introverted, and while that statistic doesn’t equally measure to the world’s extroverts, the number still deserves attention, especially in the high school atmosphere.
Usually deemed a safe and open minded place, South’s recognizably kind environment extends to most people in our building. Keeping South’s safe-haven reputation in mind, people can easily question introverts’ reasons for remaining soft-spoken during class discussions or group work.
