With the breezy arrival of Fall comes the overwhelming temptation to curl up inside with a cup of hot chocolate. Introverts might breathe a great sigh of relief at this change of the season; the weather provides a perfect excuse to take a break from the constant hustle and bustle of other people. While this sort of distance is healthy for an introvert, colleges may not be too understanding. Everyone in society is expected to be active in some way or another, and it is hard to prove your active status without putting yourself around a great deal of witnesses. So how does one go about documenting solitary activities? How do young introverts manage to find ways to fill up their extracurriculars without going insane?
Here are a few handy suggestions!
- Participate in National Novel Writing Month or other Writing Challenges
Writers often struggle with having too many incomplete works to convey the massive amount of time they spend creating to others. Luckily, there are organizations and events that you can participate in without having to publish anything or pour time into group work! National Novel Writing Month sets out a challenge for writers to create a 50,000 word novel in one month. Once you register with the website, the student can log how much they’ve written each day. One can chose to log their hours and include their participation in the event on the resume along with how much time they spent on the even per week- even if you don’t complete the novel. If you are more interested in plays or sitcoms, there is a similar challenge called Script Frenzy as well.
- Volunteer at Animal Shelters or Libraries
If you find yourself with ample time to recharge, it could help your introverted soul to let yourself step outside here and there. While volunteering does require some interaction with others, being selective about where you volunteer could still prove to offer fulfillment without overwhelming yourself. Libraries may simply ask you to alternate between helping people register for library cards and shelving misplaced books- a great balance between interaction and independence. Animal shelters often need extra hands to help walk their dogs or transport animals to other locations. There are a lot of opportunities out there that will let you really fill out your application without costing you your sanity.
- Visit College Workshops
Colleges are usually bursting with unique educational opportunities. There are students who wish to become teachers, young entrepreneurs, and community leaders all packed onto one campus. It’s important to pay attention to what’s going on in influential college campuses near you so that can benefit from some great workshops that are usually offered either cheaply or for free! It’s great to be able to add the skills you learn in workshops onto your list of skills on your college applications- and sometimes can help you form great connections!
- Get Involved in Academic Blogging or Online Community Projects
This could be considered one of the more ambitious suggestions on this list, because running a voiceover-based Youtube channel or joining online projects can be quite the commitment. Nonetheless, if you’re passionate about a solitary venture (learning about science, programing, game design, etc.) it can be hard to find a way to translate these interests into practical experience at a young age. Luckily, through online community projects you can contribute drawings to a fan-project for a video game, help alter code on large projects, or simply make an academic blog showcasing your favorite bits of scientific theory. This way you can seek our projects within your level of competency and gain precious experience! As with any online activities, make sure to never give away your full name or personal information.
Want to read more on how to choose the best extracurricular activities for your application? Brush up on our tips here!
Victory Step Education Team
