When you move to a new place or start at a new school, it can be difficult if you are more introverted in approaching and meeting new people. You might feel awkward and uncomfortable trying to socialise in a group and it might take time to find people that have shared interests.
With family conflict, sitting down and talking about the situation may seem stressful. It could ease the situation if they see you are being ‘mature’ and taking the first step. It can also be a great way of sorting through issues and coming to an arrangement that works for all of you.
Your parents or guardians might be worried and stressed about things unrelated to you such as work, relationships or money that can affect how they talk and act with you. They can also feel pressure from expectations from their own parents, family and their community about “being a good parent”.
Your inner mentor shows you things you can improve, in a very different tone to your inner critic. They balance constructive criticism with acknowledging everything you’re getting right, asking open questions like “How could you approach that differently in the future?”
Your inner critic highlights all the things you’re doing wrong, usually with a big helping of shame and judgement on the side. You can learn to turn down the volume on this part of your internal dialogue and turn up the volume on your “inner mentor”.
If your university accommodation is self-catered, your shared kitchen is where you’ll make and eat all of your own meals. If you have are in catered halls, you’ll be served breakfast and an evening meal (usually Monday to Friday, during term time) in your college’s dining hall.
Advantages of living in Halls of Residence at university include: gas, electric and water are often included in your rent so there won’t be any unexpected bills; communal areas are cleaned regularly; there may be security presence on campus; facilities and social events will be on your doorstep.
Because introverts enjoy spending time one on one and generally prefer deeper, more intense conversations, they tend to have fewer but stronger relationships with their friends. Introverts usually are good listeners, which makes them excellent friends.
Introverts can be great writers, artists, and problem-solvers because many great ideas come out of introspection from spending time alone. They tend to see the big picture and spend time reflecting on their lives, making them great decision makers, compassionate leaders, and generally “old soul” types.
If your parents, guardians or relatives have grown up in another country they might have very different values and cultural expectations than people in this country. For example, your parents might insist on you speaking their native (non-English) language.