I've just started college, and I got infected with an illness right after the first week. I got worried after I heard from my doctor that I'd need to stay at home for about four to five days straight. I knew the consequences, and I knew I was very slow in socialization.
But my fears got confirmed, to tell the truth - the few people I met with, have already befriended others, and even worse, they seem to have forgotten me. And well, I tried to talk with other classmates, but it's a real chore to just mix in. I don't even get their jokes(I feign laughter, tbh) and I think I'm just sitting with some others for the sake of not being abandoned completely - it's just so much difficult to actually find someone who is introverted.
I'm sure I could just walk up back to the earlier people's bench, but then again, I would feel really embarrassed and self conscious - maybe just give me a week or two, to see if they will come back??
I'm glad that I've moved away from becoming the sole person sitting in the front-area of the class, though. The flashbacks are terrible - I felt like the distance between me and the rest of the classroom, was increasing every second. And I can't think properly when others are chattering loudly.
The problem is, I'm actually determined to fight this out - I may not like the socialization, and all the social parts of college, but I personally believe I'm at least good in working by myself - in studies. Maybe you just have to accept that being introverted isn't much of a bad thing.
Besides, I feel really encouraged after reading through the posts of forums like these. Whenever I feel doubtful, I just remember that there are others like me, and well, that feeling makes the whole situation look brighter.