Believe in and like yourself-that’s the most attractive (and healthy) quality! You’re about to start a new adventure, meet new people, and find new friends. Being yourself and holding onto your high standards will help you meet like-minded friends. From there, relationships form. Learning about yourself and growing, maturing, is what that time is about. You will meet many boys, but the number you attract is not reflective of your desirability. The quality of boys you befriend reflects who you are and, from there, relationships form. I had a few friendships that were a bit more during college but they were frustrating in their own ways and, through those experiences, I learned what I didn’t like (and what I needed). Like you, I was studious and focused on school, probably the least likely to marry of my friends. But jr year, I met a boy and we just hit it off. I was too busy to date much but we talked (thus was before emails and texting) a LOT over the phone during study breaks. My first real boyfriend, and my mom told me that I’d marry him, three months after I’d met him. Of course I’d told her she was crazy but, see, the thing was-from the start, I’d felt, and she could see, the connection. When it happens it happens. I was the first to be married, to my first real boyfriend, and that was 25+ys ago. Not saying that always happens but pointing out that you don’t need to stress about it.
I thin Pbrain hit the nail on the head here. It seems like a lot of your issues come from lack of confidence. As everyone else has said be yourself- but better. You’re an academic person- keep up at that help others etc. I find it really sad that you think you being “dateable” is a laughing matter.
Learn about yourself- learn what you ilke, what you’re comfortable with, what you’re looking for etc. love yourself and then others will be able to
So here’s the great thing about college…you’re not that high school person anymore and you’re starting off fresh…and you can portray the image you want to have…now you’re a smart girl, surrounded by other smart kids. I think you’re going to do really well with friendships, etc!
Thanks, I do appreciate your help. Trust me, I don’t lack confidence. But for most of my life, I have had low self-esteem. Growing up around the same kids from kindergarten to high school, images like that tend to stick. My new found confidence can barely dent the schema that others have created of me. That is why I am excited for college; I will have the opportunity to start off on the right foot. I can be whomever I would like in college. The only feasible problem about this is the fact that the college I will be attending in the fall is a 5 minute walk from my old high school. I will see many of my fellow high school students on a regular basis. Nevertheless, college will be a transformative experience for me.
I was also never one who typically dated in high school, due to also coming from a conservative background and just not being the type that was known for being outgoing or date crazy. I realized the main reason was that whenever I met a person I liked, I would clam up, not talk to them, and just expect them to make the first move.
So I started out by just talking to people I noticed I was interested in (usually ones I met in class, lab groups, through mutual friends, or in clubs I joined) and getting their contact information or offering my own (in a non-creepy way, of course). Gradually, if I got the feeling they were interested, I would move on to inviting them to hang out places (also in a non-creepy way) and would start having more in-depth conversations to get to know them better. Usually at that point is when either of us would decide if we wanted to take things further or not.
Of course, the best advice, which I learned the hard way, is to pace things. Remember that you’re only in college and you have plenty of years to find the right person for you. Definitely don’t rush it.
Just be yourself, don’t go chasing guys, don’t change who you are for a boy. However, be open to meeting guys and conversing with them. Make some friends and don’t be the FWB/hookup…makes you feel like shit afterwards or you end up falling for the guy who doesn’t see you in that light. Also, if you do happen to find a guy… make sure your whole life doesn’t revolve around him; be independent; have your own opinions… don’t lose yourself in the relationship. Hang out with your friends before you were with your boyfriend. Find time for family too 
I think that’s it…
I’ve had experience with college relationships.
Hmmm well honestly I had a idea of thinking dating in college would be like candy land.
I had never dated in high school so I could focus on school and plus most guys interested weren’t my age just creepers.
Just make friends male and female and dating will naturally happen when you least expect it because your social life is active you won’t have to try.
Also dating might not be all that spectacular, I’ve had male friends turn on me when I thought things were platonic and guys I wanted be taken or seem to not be interested.
Don’t worry or stress about dating!
Ok, so understand that we’re probably worlds apart (I take it you’re a conservative liberal arts person) but I have an idea which, according to some of my friends, worked for them. Now, you’re going to say I’m crazy (and maybe I am :P) but
join the math club
if there is one. Trust me, these math guys; they may seem like nerds on the outside, but just wait till you get to know them…a whole world of opportunities awaits. 
What?! No such thing. 
If you are looking for meaningful relationships, it’s best to be yourself. If you present yourself in other ways, those are the kinds of men you will attract.
What do you think was restrictive? Too studious? Too serious?