<p>The only thing is, would I have to sarcafice my As in order to be more sociable?</p>
<p>I don't think that talking to people more or tying to meet new people would interfere with your academic work. Remember school isn't just about academics....</p>
<p>I agree, talking to people won't give you Fs. Just don't talk so much that you aren't listening to lecture haha. If you isolate yourself in college it will not be much of a good time. In fact, the more at home you feel (knowing more people) the better your grades are going to be. Also if you know people you can ask them about assignments and get into study groups (a BIG plus) which always helps things b/c it has been scientifically proven that studying in groups helps to increase grades.</p>
<p>(Hopefully) Funny story: So we had this big physics test today and I was at office hours a little later than I meant to be. So I walk into class a half-hour late (last class for lab lecture so no big deal) and everybody pretty much about dies. (She was apparently just about to hand out the prof review forms after a big pointless lecture about how the year went.) So I come waltzing in 30 minutes late (to much laughter and shouts of "That's J--- V-----!!" and don't just sit on the end like most late people I walk straight up the center aisle and sat next to my friends. This was apparently even funnier (even the prof is laughing b/c she loves me). Pretty soon another outgoing guy in the class was like, "Why did you even come?" And I responded, "Well I was in the area so . . . " Being embarrassed is almost a hobby for me haha. (I don't know if anyone on here enjoyed that story but oh well).</p>
<p>P.S. So the prof can't stay in the room while the reviews are written so my prof was going to leave, and she tripped (more like stumbled but still . . .) while walking out of the classroom (she is a major klutz) which was the best send-off ever and completely priceless.</p>
<p>Is your name by chance Jeff Veasey?</p>
<p>Wow that was really close. For a second there I thought you were the owner of the site GameFAQs.com :)</p>
<p>Hahaha that's funny. Actually I don't even really like games but I used to. Funny stuff.</p>
<p>I tried to change. Raised my hand more often. Volunteered more. But it all faded and I'm still quiet, boring same old me. The only thing that changed is the people around me and it's all good.</p>
<p>How long did you try haha? Also it won't change overnight and are you still in high school? The reason for the lack of change might be that people in your high school aren't used to it. Just use high school as training grounds for college. Stop caring what other people are thinking. That is the first step. I stopped caring my senior year b/c when are you ever gonna see those people again? Never.</p>
<p>Another thing is not necessarily trying to be more outgoing. Save that for college. Something easily done in high school is an effort to increase your confidence. I tried to work on this before I went to college and once I arrived. I'm still not that confident (on the inside) but people believe I am and that makes being confident on the inside much easier. Stand taller. Smile more. Walk slower. Try to exercise 2-5 times a week. Wear clothes you feel comfortable and good-looking in.</p>
<p>Try to pick out something (or a few) that you like about yourself everyday (physical and/or personality-wise.) [Warning these examples will sound cheesy but that is why they are kept in your head and not told to other people.] Inner thought comments such as, 'I like the way my pecs look and I am outgoing' or 'This shirt looks awesome on me & I studied really hard last night and am prepared for the quiz today' are typical morning-in-front-of-the-mirror examples.</p>
<p>Notice improvements no matter how small (like how you said hi and conversed with the girl you liked or how your face is clearing up or your teeth are getting whiter) because if you go for big change right away, it ain't happenin'.</p>
<p>If anybody compliments you, take it and keep it in your pocket because remembering little compliments can always keep you up whenever you feel ****ty or something.</p>
<p>Name a few things you want to improve on and make specific goals about them. Anytime you come closer, feel better about yourself (EX: General Goal: I want to become more outgoing. Specific goal: I will talk to somebody at my college meeting today.)</p>
<p>I can't think of any other techniques off the top of my head. Remember, you might be naturally introverted so trying to be more talkative probably won't work. But increasing your confidence is an activity for any personality & meeting new people is a chance to be outgoing whether you're introverted or extroverted.</p>
<p>its funny. unlike most people here i want to become quieter and live in solitude. and i want to work work work but something that just captivates my attention not anything that in am forced to do to please someone else. maybe i will have one friend but hopefully that will be it</p>
<p>I know I'm naturally introverted, I basically grew up by myself and I'm used to it. So this year was the first year I'm out of the house and I made several steps like going to a club for the first time in NYC and going to the mall with people other than my mom (sad i know). I'm no party animal now but I'm still stuck here in my room most of the time on weekends.</p>
<p>wow IlliniJBravoEcho you make it sound so easy to be confident, but it'll never work for me haha</p>
<p>i def. agree that exercise boosts self-confidence though</p>
<p>Vintor why do you say that? I think gaining confidence is easier than most people think. Confidence is such an enigma that it seems intangible except only to those that have it naturally. I seriously used to have no confidence at all but I worked to get it. It sounds infomercialish (It's that easy!! hahaha) but it does take a while and does not happen overnight. And you have to be somewhat willing to change.</p>
<p>And macinici & usna, if you like being introverted and/or shy more power to you (the girl I interested in right now lists one of her personal interests on facebook as "being quiet" haha) but I was giving advice to extroverts that haven't quite found a way to be truly outgoing. These tips will work only if you find yourself wanting to reach out to people but can't quite seem to get the hang of it. It took me a long time to learn how to become outgoing and confident (two different things). But the least you can do is try. If it doesn't work then . . . oh well.</p>
<p>To usna, I understand what you mean when you grew up alone. I never hung out a lot when I was young. In high school, I didn't go out at all freshmen or sophomore year. I can only probably think of a couple times in two years. I'm graduating soon and I'm definitely gonna try to be more outgoing. Not that i'm introverted, I just haven't found real good friends that i can hang out with like a close group of giggly girls if you know what i mean. I totally understand the staying home on weekends thing. Sometimes when I'm out, I long to be at home safely in my room because I feel the most comfortable at home with my family.</p>
<p>To not procrastinate haha who knows if I'll still continue in college but that'll be my main goal. But it's easier to not procrastinate in college because there are so any rooms I can study in without distraction.</p>
<p>steaky that's how I feel too. I don't mind some quiet time by myself, at the same time I don't want to separate myself from the world. At my school I can't find people that are like me or have an interest to spend time with. I rather just go out by myself because I don't have to worry about taking someone's time.</p>
<p>My roommate and I are completely opposites in personality and she's always out with people and anytime someone comes into my room it's just to see her. I can't help wondering what's wrong with me. I just feel out of place where ever I go</p>
<p>i think in college i need to work on my study habits. in hs, its pretty easy to get decent grades without working too hard, but im sure thats much different in college. theres going to be so many new distractions.</p>
<p>I'd probably study more often. I'm easily distracted and find better things to than study. Never had to anyway. I can BS my way through high school with a 4.0. College, however, may require hardcore study habits. Habits I don't have.</p>
<p>usna, don't worry. you just have to find your niche. Maybe you could join some clubs on campus or try to get to know your roommate better so you can eventually get to know her and her friends too. Don't hole yourself up because if you long to have friends, you should make an effort. I'm still in hs and I'm going to try to maintain friends because sometimes I think partly it's my fault that I haven't found close friends because I didn't bother to invest more time into it.</p>
<p>I am gonna not be lazy, because in High School, I could do no homework,not study, and ace tests and still get As in that class easy....but in college, if i am lazy, I will be screwed......so I am gonna try and work harder, and play less video games...(lol) and join some more clubs and do more outdoorsy activities, although I already do a lot...and I will go out more, like to parties, clubs, etc........</p>
<p>and I second what Deviant said.....</p>
<p>I am also gonna join more clubs....</p>
<p>Study/Work Smarter (not harder, i think i work pretty hard already) meaning be more organized and manage my time better.</p>
<p>Quit Counter-Strike and competitive gaming; I currently compete in the Cyberathlete Amateur League (haha, laugh at me if you must).</p>
<p>Get involved in a serious relationship with a girl, everything I did in high school regarding relationships was never really serious... but hopefully one will be ;)</p>
<p>Make new friends and acquaintances, and keep in touch with my best friend (he's attending either Columbia or Hopkins, I'm intending to attend Cornell).</p>
<p>Did I already mention girls? :D</p>