Although introverts and extroverts become energized through different means, many students at Coppell High School do not strictly identify with either. The Sidekick staff writer Prakriti Srivats describes how the world of differing personalities merge together to create each person’s unique point of view. Interactive by Karthika Dayanand
Whether it’s for a school assignment or part of an icebreaker game, everyone has been asked the question: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
These words have worked their way into common language and modern ideology. It is generally understood that introverts are reserved and enjoy being alone, compared to extroverts who enjoy themselves more with others.
In reality, however, students may find it hard to firmly plant themselves into one of the two categories, especially considering the nuances of everyday interactions and changes in situations. Instead, they may feel more familiar with a form of both introversion and extroversion.
“Within my house, I kind of like to keep to myself and act introverted in a sense,” Coppell High School sophomore Khushi Singla said. “However, outside or in school settings, I think I definitely lean towards being more extroverted. I wouldn’t be as extroverted if I didn’t have that introverted time for myself to begin with.”
This mix of introversion and extroversion is known as being an ambivert. This includes quiet, reserved people that still need social time with the people they care about, or outgoing people who need time to themselves every day.
“I consider myself more of an ambivert,” sophomore Inika Jadhav said. “I can switch between being the most open person and saying a lot of things and then shut down and be quiet, and it is not me being mad or sad, it is just my social battery is drained.”
Jadhav describes her ambiversion as having multiple sides to herself that she could reveal depending on where she is and who she is with.
“When you hang out with a large group of people, you have to find this balance of who you want to show to them,” Jadhav said. “You don’t change who you are, but you kind of change the side of yourself that you show to other people.”
In addition, some students find it hard to consider either introversion or extroversion as a part of their personality when it has changed drastically throughout their life.
For junior Himanshi Kotkar, this change occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After COVID came, I suddenly changed from being extroverted to being introverted,” Kotkar said.
However, she describes that she is still an extrovert in some situations.
“When it comes to standing up for a cause, I would be willing to be the most extroverted person,” Kotkar said. “That’s not my personality, but I would be willing to do it if it helps a cause.”
The situations in the lives of students vary greatly—whether that change occurs across years or within a day— and it tends to affect young peoples’ personalities. Depending on the situation, students may change how they act, and find it harder to say whether they are entirely introverted or extroverted. Ambiversion may be more familiar to many students who live different lives at home, school and other settings.
“Some people lean towards a certain vibe, but people are full of emotional ranges,” Singla said. “That’s the beauty of humans.”
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