3 Ways To Finally Stop Being Known As 'The Flake' Of Your Friend Group

There is nothing more satisfying than coming back from a long day of classes, burrito wrapping yourself in a blanket, turning on some "Grey's Anatomy" and shutting the world out for the rest of the night.

As an introvert, it takes a tremendous amount of energy to spend a full day interacting with professors and students.

Between class discussion, study groups and the constant noise and bustle around campus, I count down the minutes until the end of my last class.

I swerve through the traffic on my bike, fantasizing about the lovely peace and quiet waiting for me at my sweet refuge of an apartment.

The second I walk through my door, I am swept up into a little black hole that literally will not let me back out.

I don't know about the rest of my fellow introverts, but I have an extremely difficult time leaving my cocoon once I've been trapped inside.

This often leads to bailing on plans I've made days earlier, when I thought I could handle the social norms of actually involving myself in the real world of people, coffee shop dates, conversation and bars.

The truth is, I find myself flaking out on plans a lot.

It is an awful habit that started in high school and has evolved into an actual problem.

Luckily, I have friends and family who understand my solitary ways, but people new to my life are probably confused and hurt, thinking it has something to do with them.

If you're like me and want to become a more reliable friend and less of a hermit, here are three tips that will help you follow through with plans:

1. Don't say yes to a plan when you are already dreading it.

This seems like common sense, but like I said earlier, it's really easy to fall into the pressure of what you should be doing, rather than what you want to be doing.

If your Thursdays are already jam-packed, then don't say yes to the traditional Thirsty Thursday at the bar with your friends.

Yeah, the drunken Snapchat stories might leave you feeling like an old grandma living in a college student's body, but at least you won't be sulking at the bar and scaring away all the cute boys while thinking about how many episodes of "Parks and Recreation" you could have gotten through.

2. Put effort into inviting other people once in a while.

I never initiate plans, and I always let other people invite me to do things.

But, I've slowly been learning the importance of putting yourself out there every once in awhile and setting something up.

It is scary at first, but you are way less likely to bail.

When you have to put effort into getting a group together or even just calling for reservations, there is much more personal investment because it shows you care.

Another plus side is you will make it up to all the friends you typically bail on, and you'll let them know you really do like them.

3. Whatever you do, don't get back into bed.

When you know you have a dinner date planned with an old friend or plans to meet up with a coworker for drinks, do not crawl back into the damn cocoon.

We know you'll find some excuse to cancel, and you'll spend the rest of the night feeling half-guilty and half-relieved you can binge eat leftovers in your pajamas.

Seriously, just don't do it.

You will be doomed.

The moral of the story is there are times when decompressing by yourself is exactly what the doctor ordered, but there are other times when your soul screams for some human connection.

Listen to those screams, don't bail and get out there.

Your bed will always be waiting for you.