Overcoming Shyness, Trying to make friends in a new place.

[HyruleMaster]

Long time no post. :/

So I'm in my junior year of college. For the first two years of my college career, I went to a community college, so I was able to return home and I was able to spend time with my friends that I've known for a while. However, my degree called for a transfer to a major university, and due to certain circumstances, I decided to live on campus on my own.

I'm a very shy person. It's very hard for me to talk to new people in a casual conversation because it doesn't... feel natural. This is something I'm trying to overcome, so I have been attempting to talk to people, like my fellow classmates or the people who live on my floor. However, they usually brush me off. So right now, I'm really lonely. I find myself going back to my dorm, finishing my homework, and finding that I have a good chunk of free time with virtually nothing to do because I have no one to hang out with. I realize that I still have my friends from back home, but I can't exactly see them every day anymore.

So I really want to make some friends at college, but I'm having a hard time finding people who have some common ground with me and aren't the party animals that are obsessed with their sorority/fraternity groups and determined to get knocked and drugged up. Actually, I know there's a girl on my floor that seemingly likes Zelda just as much as I do, but I haven't really found the words to strike up a good conversation with her. And whenever I do start a conversation, it lasts like... 5 seconds.

...help?

[ZeRinkuda]

You sound just like my sister.

She has the same exact problems as you. I would suggest starting off with small talk with the Zelda fan. Perhaps ask her if she's on any websites? Or just get into a conversation about Zelda? Talk a little bit at a time and I'm sure you can both warm up to each other. There's also maybe a online support group for people who are shy just like you, that you could find. I'm sure you could find someone who overcame their shyness who could be a great help to you.

I would suggest staying away from those party animals, they can mess you up big time. Try reaching out to the people who seem lonely just like you. The people no one talk to. Their usually the best people to have as friends, and the easiest to be-friend. I know all my friends where the outcasts, and they were the nicest people you could ever meet.

I hope I helped a bit, I'm shy too, so it's kinda hard to figure out what to do. ^^

[Cíntia]

I completely understand you.

I had a psychological issue called social phobia for a long while. Actually I think it has to do with the pressure of the world and the fact that some people (me included) persist in standing for their ideals.

I know it's hard to find people who share our beliefs sometimes, but just don't give up. There are a lot of nice people out there and maybe you just haven't got the opportunity to meet them yet, so give yourself some time. Loneliness may seem unbearable, but it's part of the wisdom of life.