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Originally Posted by ckp
I've always been a bit introverted, and started college off as what could most charitably be called "painfully shy." I just had to force myself to interact with other people, as myself. I still am uncomfortable around people I don't know, but over time I've learned what's appropriate acquaintance conversation.
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"You know, he's like you used to be. He didn't know how to just hang out."
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One of the best ways I found to do that was by learning to be embarassed, or put my foot in my mouth, or whatever, and being able to laugh at myself. That doesn't mean being a slapstick stooge, but if you do say something embarassing or feel like you're on the spot, try to laugh it off.
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Most excellent post. You pretty much sum up my experiences during the first 3 years of my studies. Only recently have I begun shedding off my introversion and communicating with people. The trick is to try and talk to as many people as you can. Make small talk with people you don't know, IF of course you see they have the time (don't do it on a busy supermarket cashier lane :roll: ). What I quoted in bold is an ultimate truth. I'd go a bit further and turn it around. So instead of just learning to laugh something off, I will usually make a sarcastic/funny comment (not a rude one, mind you) about it. This communicates to the others that you know what you do and are feeling comfortable being who you are.
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You sound like you're already doing much better than I did. I was halfway through college before I even started having fun with it. 
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I'm more than halfway through university and I really started socializing once the academic pressure was a bit low at the end of the last semester. Since then I have probably done more socializing than in my first year altogether
