In high school, not much more than a football game that your school was bound to lose marked the occasion. Homecoming is grander at college, especially here at UCA. 

Each day of the Homecoming Week is marked with an event filled with food, fun and excitement. 

The best part — silently anticipating the appointment of a homecoming king and queen at the end of the week. 

For this reason, to many students, collegiate homecoming is the highlight of the school year. 

For introverts, however, the marking moment symbolizes nothing more than an unnavigable crowd — nothing more, nothing less. 

According to the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, approximately 75% of the U.S. general population are extroverts, while the remaining 25% are introverts. 

According to Scientific Research, an academic journal, introverts comprise about 40% of the student population at universities in the U.S. 

At the University of Central Arkansas, that is nearly 4,100 students. 

Psychologist Carl Jung began using “introvert” and “extrovert” regularly beginning in the 1920s. The two personality types sort people according to how they acquire or spend their energy. 

Jung said introverts turn to their own minds to recharge, while extroverts seek out other people for their energy needs. 

Introverted individuals also feel more comfortable and more energized when vibing with themselves or while enjoying the company of two or three other people, increasing the likelihood of introverts skipping out on homecoming. 

When you reach the end of your four years at university, one marking moment you may look back on is homecoming week — ziplining at fall fest, stocking up on food for your fridge at the food festival, watching your breath materialize in the crisp air as you wait for the homecoming king and queen to be announced. Introverts deserve the opportunity to look back on homecoming too, so here’s a guide to navigate it.

For one, do not go alone. One strength introverts hold is the ability to expertly find their perfect fit in a small group and stick with them. 

Use that to your advantage. 

This small group of friends will come in handy when you find yourselves waiting in long lines, striking up conversations with a couple of strangers, and just making your time during homecoming week more enjoyable. 

You may not always remember the event, but you will remember who you went with, so make it count. 

One of the reasons introverted students tend to stray away from social events is because of the crowd, but you can beat it. 

You can arrive at an event on time or super late — dealer’s choice. 

Both carry their benefits and drawbacks.

If you arrive on time, you are counting on a college student’s tendency to always show up late. If you show up near the end, you risk all the fun and games being packed up by the time you make it to the scene. 

Either way though, you do manage to beat the bulk of the crowd — a win-win for introverts. 

If you find yourself feeling awkward or overwhelmed but you’re not quite ready to leave the party just yet, look for a quiet pocket – a space where you and you alone can find solitude for a few moments, away from everyone else. 

Look for a booth that is deserted, or a ride that lacks a line or just find a corner in the middle of the chaos. 

Sit there in silence, regather and regroup. 

When you’re ready, get back out there and continue making the memories you’ll be glad you have years from now.