If You’re an Introvert, an Off-Campus Apartment is a Better Choice than TRU Housing
If you’re a self-described introvert who is planning to attend Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, living in an off-campus apartment is probably a better choice than living in TRU housing, because it will best support the way you learn. Introversion is a good thing! The club of solitude seekers who quietly excelled and changed the world is a long list of thinkers, creators, and leaders including Ghandi, Einstein, Picasso, Barack Obama and many, many more.
In an article at “Introvert, Dear”, an online-community for introverts, author B.B. LaFave writes about the superpowers of introverts:
- Deep thinkers who can “get it done”
- Creative
- Gifted writers
- Excel at problem solving
- Take time and carefully make decisions
- Have deeply connected relationships
- Are self aware
- Independent
- Innovative
Introverts are Easily Overstimulated
It doesn’t take a psychological anthropologist to guess that the hustle and bustle, noise and distraction of studying at school or living in TRU residences might not be a good fit for an introvert. Introverts need more “me time” and flourish in spaces that are conducive to thought processing and focus.
In the New York Times bestseller “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, author Susan Cain delves into the extraversion bias that exists in our society. We admire and reward extraverts. Our systems of learning and working are geared toward an extravert “ideal” that is a falsehood, because one-third to one-half of the population are introverts. Watch Susan Cain’s Ted-Talk, “The Power of Introverts”.
Furthermore, introversion and extraversion exist on a continuum and many people exhibit both traits (ambiversion). Not surprisingly, many introverts prefer quiet, less stimulating environments and would rather spend time alone or with a few people than in a group. In Schmeck and Lockhart’s “Introverts and Extraverts Require Different Learning Environments” (1983), the authors write that “Because it takes very little stimulus for introverts to perceive a stimulus, their brains become easily overstimulated. Thus, they tend to seek out an environment where there is relatively little stimulation.” One can reasonably conclude then, that living and studying in TRU housing may be too distracting for an introvert.
While it’s unfair that the world seems to embrace extraversion more than introversion, that knowledge gives you power! By knowing what you require for optimal learning, you can tailor your environment in a way that best suits you, creating space to decompress, focus, and study.
TRU Residences vs. Off-Campus Apartment
The following table compares the experience an introvert might have when living off-campus compared to living in TRU residences.
| Introvert Living in TRU Housing | Introvert Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|
| Difficult to find alone time | Easy to spend time alone |
| Overstimulating | Sensory stimulation controlled largely by you |
| Noisy | Quiet |
| Many distractions | Far fewer distractions |
| Difficulty concentrating | Easier to concentrate |
| Little choice of roommates | Live alone or choose your own roommates |
| Pressure to socialize, taking time away from studies | Less pressure to socialize, easy to find the balance between studying and socializing that suits you |
Read “TRU Housing vs Off-Campus Housing” for more comparisons.
Rent an Apartment at Summit Village Residences
If you’d like to rent an apartment at Summit Village Residences in Kamloops Lower Sahali neighbourhood, start by completing our Preferred Unit form. A representative will contact you in a few business days. Summit Village is minutes from TRU and close to shopping, services, restaurants and entertainment…but just far enough away for introverts!
