Different people, different energy 

Walk down the hallway between classes and you see two different approaches to survival. One student heads to a quiet corner of the library at lunch. Another finds a group of friends and talks through the whole break. Neither student handles school wrong. They simply run on different types of energy. Introverts recharge by spending time alone. After a full day of classes, group work and hallway noise, quiet time can help them feel refreshed.

Maria Delgado, a 10th grader, says group settings drain her quickly. “I need an hour alone when I get home before I talk to anyone,” she says. She prefers working alone on class projects because she can focus without explaining every thought out loud.

This preference for quiet can also affect how introverts participate in class. They may think through an answer before speaking instead of immediately raising their hands.

“Teachers used to think I didn’t know the answers because I stayed quiet,” Maria says. “I knew them. I just didn’t want to say them out loud.”

Being introverted does not mean disliking people. Many introverts have close friendships and prefer smaller conversations over large groups. While some students recharge alone, others gain energy from being around people. These students are often described as extroverts.

Devon Brooks, an 11th grader, says being around people gives him energy. “The more people I talk to, the better I feel,” he says. He prefers group work because talking helps him develop his ideas.

That difference can be easy to notice in class. Devon often speaks up quickly when a teacher asks a question. At lunch, he looks for his friends and starts talking. “Sitting alone for a whole period would be rough for me,” he says.

These different approaches can become especially noticeable when students have to work together. An extrovert may want to start brainstorming out loud, while an introvert may want a few minutes to think first. Neither approach is wrong.

Maria asks for some time to think before the group starts talking. Devon has learned to give classmates that space. “I try to give them quiet time first, then we talk it out,” he says.

Teachers can also support both styles by giving students time to write or think before starting a class discussion. Even with these differences, students do not always fit into

one category. Most people fall somewhere between introverts and extroverts and may act differently depending on their mood or surroundings.

Understanding these differences can help classmates work together. Being quiet does not automatically mean someone is shy, and being talkative does not necessarily mean someone is seeking attention. People simply recharge and communicate in different ways.

Written by Jamerson Pena  | Graphic Designed by Jamerson Pena

Published October 5, 2026 | ePathfinder | Features