Hey, Liza... I know you're having difficulty making new friends in college. I went through that phase, too, back in high school since I didn't know anybody except you and your group. But throughout high school I've been trying to learn how to talk to people... and I'm here to provide you the tips I picked up along the way:

1) When you talk to people, SMILE. Nobody likes talking to people who frown or act negatively. Appearance is VITAL. Therefore, you need to smile to seem approachable.

2) Find out the interests of the individual you want to talk to and ask him/her about them. If you see an odd keychain on his/her backpack, or see him wearing a weird shirt, ask him about it. When the subject is already tired, keep trying to find out what it is that interests the person. This is one of the most difficult parts of starting a conversation, but don't give up. Once you find SOMETHING, you two will be able to talk for a long time.

3) BE SELFLESS, and BE PATIENT. Don't talk about yourself TOO much (only enough to provoke conversation, perhaps). But the only thing people what to talk about is THEMSELVES. So try to keep yourself out of the conversation AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When you talk to somebody, it's all about THE OTHER PERSON, not YOU!

4) READ THIS BOOK: "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by DALE CARNEGIE. It's VERY useful and has provided me some of the tips I mentioned above. You may think it's stupid to read a book about getting friends, but trust me--this book has helped me A LOT, and I'M SURE IT WILL HELP YOU. So please--BUY IT, and READ IT.

5) Try to remember as many things about the person you talk to AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. If you remember even the smallest details about the person, that person will feel appreciated.

Here are the 6 principles that the book offers in order to get people to like you--try to follow them as much as possible:

1) Become genuinely interested in other people.
2) Smile.
3) Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4) Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5) Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
6) Make the other person feel important—and do it sincerely.

Follow these tips AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, and I'm sure you'll be successful. Remember, you have to make the OTHER person feel important. Be patient, and you will be rewarded.

Just hang in there. I know you're a wonderful person that everyone should get to know. Don't beat yourself up, be positive, and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!! I know you can do it, Liza. I have faith in you.

Love,
Charmaine

Hello! I know, I know, I haven't talked to you in years. I'm terribly sorry about that. I just wanted to comment here and let you know that I didn't forget about you once, and that you are a very nice and kind! Too bad we haven't met in person yet, but would love to. About your post: Don't give up! There are people at your college that would LOVE to meet an awesome person like you, you just haven't found them yet. Be patient. It may seem like you'll never get friends, but you will. It may take months or maybe years, but you will get friends! Talk to you later!