I'm on a pretty small college campus so I see the same ppl all the time. I'm good at the beginning of year or first-time interaction but as time goes on, I feel like I'm running out of time. Unless I make impressions the first time I see them it feels awkward just talking to someone out the blue like we haven't been riding the shuttle together or eating in the cafe the same area/times for months iykwim. Is there any ways or tips to make this interaction less awkward.

I feel like if I just approach them as a stranger (even though they technically are), it will make me seem scary like it took me months to man up and say something. Not to mention it's kind of out of character for me I came into school rly quiet keeping to myself mostly, I took freshman yr online, so I missed that first wave of friendships yk. I have been talking to alot more friends tho but idk ig it just feels weird trying to change what everyone already see's you as.

btw the main reasons I didn't make these connections earlier is because I was still stuck on trying to make long distance work with this girl from HS who left the second she finally stepped on a campus herself (1yr apart). But since I'm not relying on that for false companionship anymore, I now know that I need to change myself.