For some Oklahoma State students, being quiet is more than just a game.

It is a lifestyle — the lifestyle of an introvert.

Psychology defines an introvert as someone who prefers lower stimulation environments, which often results in them leading more quiet lives.

"It is the harder life, I think," said Jennifer Murphy, a self-proclaimed introvert and English senior at OSU.

College is an especially difficult time for introverted students like Murphy, being forced to face challenges like participation points, presentations, group projects and making new friends in a different environment.

"I fake being an extrovert because I have to fake it in order to get participation points in school," Murphy said. "I would rather just listen and learn, but teachers have pressured me."

Murphy is not the only student who has faced the difficult task of class participation.

"I had a class with some tough material where I struggled to get participation points, and it really hurt my grade." said Jared Tolbart, a management senior.

To make this worse, Tolbart is hesitant to approach professors with his struggles.

"When I sit down with a professor one-on-one I feel uncomfortable," Tolbart said. "I am not sure what they think of me or what is going to happen."

Ashana Shakya is another self-identified introvert and a sophomore at OSU who came from Nepal to study art.

By observing Shakya's intense concentration as she sketched detailed drawings her notebook, it is easy to see she does not require a lot of external stimulation in everyday life.

Despite majoring in a seemingly independent field of study, Shakya said she stills feels being introverted is a disadvantage in her education.

"If I am working with a group and do not know them I feel overwhelmed," Shakya said. "I prefer to study alone."

When presenting her impressive artwork, Shakya feels much anxiety, claiming she can answer questions about her pieces but cannot speak continuously. She feels threatened by the idea of interviewing for her career in the future.

Nathan Rickner, another introvert and animal science senior, also finds himself frustrated by group projects.

"I tend to keep to myself causing other group members to think I do not want to do my share of the work or that I am not trying to come up with new ideas," Rickner said. "In reality, I might have good ideas, but I do not usually speak up and make them known."

It’s not only about interfering with coursework. Being an introvert can hinder the social experience that college typically provides.

Murphy claims people do not understand what it is like to be an introvert.

"It makes it hard to have friendships because people do not understand that we do not want to go out and do things all the time," Murphy said. "They think you are ignoring them."

Shakya faces a similar challenge with an added difficulty — she is from another culture.

"I do not talk much because I am also self-conscious about my English," Shakya said. "Because of this I cannot make friends very quickly it takes time."

Although introverts are often drawn to more individual focused studies and hobbies where they can excel in a focused environment without the company of others, there are many students at OSU in various fields of study who find introversion disadvantageous, as they do not work as efficiently with other people.

The lifestyle of an introvert puts into question whether the education at OSU and other schools provides equal opportunity for both introverts and extroverts to succeed in college and beyond.

How many students' futures are being hurt by this personality type? How many brilliant ideas are not being heard? How many lifelong friendships are not being made?

Are they not talking enough? Or are we just not listening enough?