This is my first post, but I've been lurking on Red Pill forums for a year or two. While I never wanted to make myself known on here before, I thought now would be a good time since I'm about to go off to college later this month.

I wouldn't consider my shyness to be extreme because once I begin talking to somebody for a while I can hold a conversation pretty well. Still, I struggle with starting conversations and I've often found myself in situations where I've wanted to talk to someone but I don't because I'm too nervous. Somehow I convince myself every time that the person I want to talk to will think I'm weird for initiating conversation. I know that's silly, but it's just what goes through my head.

I never really minded that part of me until this past year. Looking around me, I realized that nearly all of the people I know have had some kind of dating experience throughout high school and I have had....none. I know I'm young, but I'm going to be 18 in a few weeks and this has really made me question what's wrong with me. I'm definitely not some goddess, but I don't think I'm hideous. I dress decently. I also consider myself to be agreeable and friendly when talking with people so I don't suspect I turn people off by a bad attitude. I decided my fault must be my quietness. This makes the most sense to me. Throughout high school I didn't really make many friends except a few I'm very close with, so you would generally find me sitting at my desk keeping to myself instead of talking. I can see how this deterred people from talking to me. To fix this, I am already doing things like smiling more and making sure my facial expression doesn't look bored or in the clouds. Moving on from high school, my goal for my freshman year of college is to continue making progress with this.

I chose to attend a school that is in-state (for cheaper tuition) but one farther away from home so I'm forced to live on campus. I know myself well enough that if I lived at home I would be 10x more likely to just go to class and leave campus right afterward. I don't want to be like that- I really want to open up and participate on campus. I think living in a dorm and placing myself in an environment I might be uncomfortable in is a good first step towards coming out of my shell more.

I know even with this on my side I'm still going to have to work hard to be more social and outgoing. I guess my main goals for myself are to be able to initiate conversations more with people and have a more open demeanor that doesn't make people feel like they'd be bothering me if they said hello. In addition, if doing this would help me meet someone, I'd be very happy. That might sound immature of me, but I'm trying to be as honest as possible with myself. I'm already shy as it is but I am 110% more shy around guys than around girls. I don't want to get older and have no idea how to navigate a relationship or talk to a guy. I get really nervous around them. Reading about it here is one thing, but actually doing it is another.

I guess what I'm asking with all of this would be for advice as to how to go about coming out of your comfort zone. How not to seem so reserved all the time? I'm already thinking about joining some clubs, but I'm not sure which kind would be good for me. My hobbies tend to be things I do alone like reading and writing. I also want to continue with my self-improvement aside from my shyness. I've read so many posts on here that I think I have a pretty good idea of how I can continue going about this, but if anyone thought of something that might help me specifically with my situation, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you very much :)