I am a College Freshman and currently in my second semester. I tend to be an introvert and shy, since this is my first year, getting to be social in the College scene is uncomfortable, but I want to be able to have somebody to talk and hang with all the time. Few of my high school classmates go here, but they have their own friends and I do not bother them, because sometimes I don’t feel like I would blend in with the group and tend to be left out. I have made about 3 friends, but we rarely see and talk with each other, except for one who lives in my dorm. My roommate and I talk and have good conversations, but she has her own friends, and I tend to be alone in the room most of the time. I really want to be able get out of my comfort zone, but I can’t because it terrifies me badly. I tend to think that I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way, but people are pretty much on their phone all the time, so I signal that as “leave me alone”. What should I do about it, because I am tired of this.
Have you joined any clubs or organizations?
I have, but since the beginning of the semester, we rarely met. It’s still Winter and not much is going on.
Maybe you could find more active clubs. The one I’m most involved in at my college meets every week.
Also look for volunteer opportunities. I volunteer at the local animal shelter on the same day every week, and you get to know the other regulars.
Can you get a part time job at your college? You might enjoy the people you meet there, and you won’t be alone in your room as much.
You aren’t alone. Sometimes it can take longer than the first semester. Are there any clubs or activities in your intended major? Or any volunteering on or off campus that would interest you? Even a part-time job (if grades are good and you have the time) can be a way to meet new people. Once you get further into a major, you may find it easier…keep trying and good luck!
@CheddarcheeseMN I can, but work study has to be filed with FAFSA and the date has pretty much passed. 
@bodangles I would volunteer for animal shelters like you since I am an Animal Science major, but I do not drive and have a car. Freshmen are not allowed to have a car on campus
@jcmom716 I am in about two clubs and my major is Animal Science. I would volunteer off campus which would be way better to do than on campus since we rarely have to volunteer on campus. I tried making friends in my A.S. courses, but people tend to have their set of friends and I am just an oddball out again
Is there a bus system around your campus? That’s what I use to get places. I also know we have a club of pre-vet/animal-related majors who have set up some sort of carpool to the shelter. Maybe something similar exists at your school?
*Also work-study isn’t the only kind of job you can get. Check out other types. Dining halls seem to almost always be hiring.
@bodangles We do have a bus system, but they tend to take students to the mall, Wal-Mart, city bus station, neighbor college, and other places. I recently joined a Pre-Vet club here on campus, but I guess since it will get warmer in less than a month, it will become more active so we can go the farm.
Depending on how close the shelter is, it might be a short walk from a stop on one of those routes. Investigate if that’s the case with yours. Mine is about two minutes away from a stop on the route that goes to the mall. If yours has an active Facebook, you might be able to message them and ask what the easiest way to get there from campus is without a car. They might also have an email set up for volunteer inquiries, which will probably be on their website, if they have one.
Do you mind naming the school? Might help people give more specific suggestions.
The school I attend is North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU (Historical Black College University).
I’ll research if I have any shelters near by.
Good luck. Hang in there and I hope everything works out.
@bodangles Thanks for your help and I will. 
If you badly need transportation, try Uber… (If you’re weary about your safety, maybe not)
I plan on applying to NCAT (among many other schools) this fall and it makes me a little uneasy knowing that their student activities/clubs aren’t really active…
Best of luck 
@KaylaBayla Good luck! I know it’s hard for an introverted, shy person to put herself “out there,” but when the weather warms up and clubs meet more regularly, I’m hoping and thinking that you’ll find your people through those clubs. Even just smiling and starting conversations with classmates can be a start to friendships.
I just want to add that I really feel for your generation with the phones/laptops/technology. I really think it makes it so much harder to socialize and interact normally. I truly believe that many of those people you see on phones all the time are just on them to avoid feeling alone as you do. It seems our culture has lost the ability to just be in a space without a piece of technology to occupy it. Keep on keeping on. Things will get better.
@xvibesx I am a bit weary of using Uber, because it’s an unknown person, driving me to my destination. It’s a bit terrifying for me.
If you do apply to NCAT, I wish you luck. I think the reason they are not active like they used to be is outsiders (non-students) come on campus and cause trouble. Students are so busy on their phones ALL day, it’s hard trying to make a conversation with them.
So, don’t let this discourage you from applying to NCAT, okay?
It would be great if we met on campus if you decide to come
@JenJenJenJen I pray you’re right I am trying to open up a bit more towards others since I had bad experiences with people who I try to be nice with and I have shut people out ever since.
@Empireapple You’re right. (I got teary-eyed when I read your post) I don’t have many social media accounts, except for Facebook and Twitter, but I don’t like being on my phone ALL the time. I rarely get text messages and calls from any of my friends, only my mom and grandparents do that. I don’t know why people think it’s so hard to live without technology today. Without my cell phone, I have the best time of my life. So, I don’t know. I am pretty much sick of hearing students that they do not have friends on campus on Twitter, but don’t seem to make the effort to meet them in person. I have met all 3 of my new friends on Twitter in person and they pretty much felt the same as I do.