<p>I'm not going to lie; Im not the most attractive person in the world. I realized this when I noticed that almost every person I talk to cringes when I talk to them (I have terrible teeth and I can't afford braces). So my question is this: how am I supposed to make friends in college when people perceive me as ugly. Here's a brief summary of my situation. Before moving from Nigeria to the U.S., I had a lot of friends and I was generally a happy and extroverted. However, everything changed when I moved to the U.S. at the age of 13. In middle school, everyone basically made fun of me because I was afrian and because I had terrible teeth. I did, however, have really close friends that shared the same interests as I did (anime, soccer, sports, video games etc.). After being made fun of from middle school to 9th grade, I became an introvert and developed "self-esteem and confidence issues." I started avoiding parties at which i was invited and I began hating being around large groups of people. To clarify things though, I have to include the fact that most of my classmates in high school (once they got to know me) though that I was the funniest guy in the world. You would think that I would have a lot of friends right? wrong. When my classmates invited me to parties I would make up excuses so that I could avoid being around so many people at once. I'm a college freshman (Ive been a freshman for two weeks) and I just wanted to know if you guys had any advice on how to make friends given my background info. (Note: Im really bad at small talk but when i feel comfortable around someone I really open up. The only friends I have in college so far are people that I play video games with in the game room.). Sorry for the long post...</p>
<p>Attractiveness is subjective, and if you continue to let your interests lead you to social situations, you’ll have no problem making friends and eventually a significant other if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s common for people to worry the first few weeks of college that they’re not making many friends, but of course quality friendships take time. Just kinda go with the flow for now. Don’t stress it, you’ll find your groove eventually.</p>
<p>Make an effort to ask questions of other people. Everybody likes someone who takes an interest in them! </p>
<p>Don’t worry - you’ll be fine. I’m not attractive, either, but I always tried to look as nice as possible, and I stayed in shape. That goes a long ways! I never thought I would get married, but I found a wonderful guy who thinks I’m the most beautiful woman in the world (no joke!).</p>
<p>It’s sad if people go by making friends based on if the person is ugly or good looking.</p>
<p>At least you know that those who do become your friend are genuinely your friends based on your personality. Just keep those friends close and forget about the rest that judge you by how you look.</p>
<p>you see a lot more mature people in college and less stupid teenagers. A winning personality will make you plenty of friends.</p>
<p>I know a few guys who were made fun of in high school, but they’ve turned out really well in college.</p>
<p>I don’t think people make fun of each other too much in college, tbh. </p>
<p>I’ve noticed some freaky looking people, but I’d still be their friend. There was a kid in my English 102 class this past spring who was in a car accident. He looked like two-face but an asian version. His whole right side was severely burned, bruised, inflamed, or just plain screwed up. I had no problems talking to the guy and we were probably at opposite ends of what we liked. He liked sports, I had no interest in sports.</p>
<p>I still kept up with the lakers and clippers games just in case he wanted to smalltalk, tho. He was a sports journalist.</p>
<p>There was this girl I was attracted to that was drop-dead gorgeous but has something wrong with her up in her head. She’d talk to me in the most random places and would always be listening to music, dancing down the sidewalk as if nobody were watching. Sometimes she’d just sneak up on you and start talking in your ear. I tried to be her friend, but she got on my nerves more often than not. She was in my Differential Equations class and because I would not share how I got my answers for my take-home test she basically said “F U” extremely loud in the Learning Center (computer lab/tutoring area). That turned a few heads…</p>
<p>First, stop thinking you’re ugly. You’re probably not anyway.
Second, confidence can work wonders.</p>
<p>If you managed to have friends in highschool, where there are about 1,000 kids, what makes you think you can’t make friends in a college where there are a LOT more people! You’ll be fine as long as you stop putting yourself down, just keep a smile on your face and everything will be okay. There are a lot of different people at college and I’m over 100% confident you will make tons of friends. All you need is patience and a smile.</p>
<p>Confidence is probably the easiest to fake! You know you’re already funny, have made friends before and are well liked. Have faith in yourself! NOBODY in this world is perfectly happy with themselves- Just be yourself! Your friends invite you so they probably like you, you just need to go and be yourself!</p>
<p>youll make friends. dont worry</p>
<p>Confidence, my dear. It will get you a long way in the end.</p>
<p>First of all, I’m really sorry about your past struggles. I can understand why it would cause you to feel this way now.</p>
<p>As hard as it is, just try to not let it get to you. Fake confidence until you naturally feel comfortable around people. It sounds like you had friends or at least people who were willing to be your friend in high school. Stop making excuses and avoiding social situations. Instead, actually go and try to have a good time. Just playing video games is a great start, and with time it should get easier.</p>
<p>And this may sounds corny, but it’s true that a great personality is attractive and will likely get you further than someone who is good looking but unlikable. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Confidence.</p>
<p>You can be the ugliest person in the world (not saying you are), but confidence is always your friend.</p>
<p>Fight low self-esteem.</p>
<p>Also, like others mentioned, I think people would be more mature in college, although you may have the small minority who still acts like they run the campus.</p>
<p>Even though I’m still in HS, my VERY extroverted cousin made tons of friends in college, and I’ve met almost every one of them. Trust me, there’s a big maturity jump from high school students to college students. I bet that 99% of those you meet will not care at all what you look like, and for those that do, they’re not worth your time and chances are they are the snobby exception.</p>
<p>I would recommend finding a club, sport, or some other activity that you really enjoy doing and try to make friends that way. It’s a lot easier to be confident and attractive when you are doing something you enjoy. Then once you’ve made a few friends and have gained a little more confidence, start going to parties more.</p>
<p>Agree on joining club. Do something besides gaming. Work out at the gym. You’ll feel better!
Also, your teeth seem to really bother you. Maybe find a dentist who would take small payments? You sound really nice. Have confidence. Don’t hide!</p>