I had to learn to speak up and advocate for myself, which isn’t easy for an introvert.
I recently graduated with a degree in History and a minor in Law for Business in the summer of 2024, and I could not be more excited!
However, there were many times when I thought that graduation was out of my reach. As a disabled introvert, there were many obstacles I had to overcome in order to get to where I am today.
How to Navigate College as an Introvert With a Disability
1. Consider non-traditional schools, like an online one.
Personally, I have bipolar II disorder, severe anxiety, and focal cortical dysplasia, a neurological (brain) disorder that contributes to excessive fatigue and gross and fine motor skill issues. I have been on two physical college campuses and found that physically navigating them was incredibly difficult.
In high school, I had a “flash pass” accommodation, which allowed me to be five minutes late to my classes so I had more time to get from class to class. My colleges, however, did not offer this accommodation, and getting to places on time was very stressful.
As an introvert with disability accommodations, I found life in both high school and in-person college to be stressful. At times, it felt like all eyes were on me, which is an introvert’s worst nightmare. As you can imagine, this made in-person school very difficult.
So, after a very stressful semester at the second college I tried, I decided to pivot and go to college online. I enjoyed my courses at the University of Maryland Global Campus, and my body does not have to deal with the physical strain of an in-person campus.
2. Talk to your professors before the semester begins.
If you have any specific needs, make sure you have an accommodation letter, which alerts your professors to the fact that you have a disability and need specific provisions. Or, you may just want your teachers to be aware of your disability. So, talk to them before the semester starts so they know what you are going through.
I prefer to do this during office hours, as this is usually a private time when you and the professor can talk one-on-one. As an introvert, having privacy is key to a successful conversation.
If the professor is particularly popular or busy, I like to send them an email asking when they are available. The email usually looks something like this:
Dear Professor X,
I am currently enrolled in class Y, and I am very excited to be in your class for Z reason. I have a disability and am registered with the disability office. I would like to find a time to talk about my accommodations and discuss what supports I will need to do well in your class.
Best,
Caitlyn Jennings
3. Get tutoring or join a small study group.
Most colleges and universities offer tutoring for free through their tutoring center. If your disability will cause you to miss class for doctor’s appointments, using this service becomes incredibly important.
Even if you don’t need to miss class for a particular reason, getting tutoring can still help you do well and get the grades you want. As an introvert, I find that one-on-one tutoring is preferable to a study group, but study groups with one or two people can be helpful as well.
Because of my disability, I don’t do well with a lot of stimulation, so I find the environment and atmosphere of a tutor more appealing than that of a study group.
4. Learn how to self-advocate, which may not come easily to introverts.
Advocating for yourself is one of the biggest aspects of having accommodations through the disability center. While it is the university’s job to give you accommodations, it is your job to ensure that those accommodations are being delivered the way they are supposed to be. If they’re not, that’s when it’s time to be assertive and self-advocate. I know — as an introvert, this is not easy!
First, go to the professor to make sure there wasn’t a misunderstanding. Do this through email so that there’s a paper trail. (Plus, it’s easier for us introverts to put our thoughts into words.) Then, reach out to the Director of Accessibility Services via email. (Again, the paper trail.) They should be able to help you get a plan in place so that you are receiving your accommodations in a timely manner.
Personally, I’ve never had to do this in college, but there were many times in middle school and high school when I was not receiving accommodations correctly. For example, one teacher announced my disability to the whole class and was very rude about my need for extended time on tests.
As an introvert who has struggled to self-advocate, I was particularly grateful when my mother and father helped me by hiring a Disability Advocate. After they hired her, teachers were much more willing to give me my accommodations. I hope that’s never necessary for you, but know that it is an option!
5. Pick classes with accommodating professors.
All professors are supposed to follow accommodation letters, but we have to face the facts: Some professors are more accommodating than others, and taking their courses is in your best interest.
At one of my former colleges, there was an “Introduction to Mythology” English course that I wanted to take, but the professor who taught it was known to not be very accommodating, so I decided to take another class instead. Be sure to protect your mental health and introverted nature by taking classes with accommodating professors when possible.
6. Review your accommodations annually.
After you receive your accommodation letter, you might think that you’re all set, but needs related to disability can change. You may need one accommodation one year and not use it another. Or, as courses become more difficult, you may find that you could benefit from teachers’ notes — a common accommodation that not everyone receives the first time around.
Only you know which accommodations could benefit you, and having an annual review of your accommodation letter with Disability Services will help you stay on top of your current needs.
I hope these tips benefit you as much as they’ve helped me. Going to college is hard, and going to college with a disability as an introvert is even harder. Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path, and know that people generally want to help you succeed! 
Hope Lives Here 