I dont know if this will be of much help but Ill say this anyway. Relax, try not to care too much about what people talk about you, because people talk about other people regardless of whether they know them or not. Im also like you, shy and not be the one to approach others first. But Im sure you'll find good friends that you can share interests with. Good luck!(๑•ㅂ•)و✧
Hi
All people going into a new environment share the same fear as you do. I recall my first days at my new college, take as a jump off point. That person you are saying hi to is feeling as new as you also.It can be kind of fun getting to know the school together with new people. Open up remember they are just as new as you are. I was very shy going away to college for the first time but bec. they did not know that I was able to just let go and be my self.Relax more.
I was kind of the same way when I was 16. I was just entering College, and I didn't exactly have great experiences in High School. I kept my eyes on the floor and couldn't maintain eye contact. I never spoke to anyone but I revealed myself to those who wanted to know me better so they would be put off and learn that I am not as interesting as they thought I was. In other words, I straight up reveal some of my weaknesses, unlike you. Despite this it was very hard for me to befriend anyone, and I also decided not to approach anyone, staying in the small sphere I call my world. I also knew and was told that I needed to open up and talk to others, but I've kind of forgotten how to make friends. With conversations, well, they approach me out of curiosity, ask, and then they either get bored (more frequent) or try to befriend me. I'm usually invested in my diary, drawing, writing, and daydreaming, and so I barely felt lonely, but there were times I wondered what it would be like to have friends and sociallize with people normally. To be honest, I haven't changed that aspect of myself much, so I'm afraid I can't give much advice to you. However, I want you to know that you're not the only one experiencing this (although you probably already know this).
Pluck up your courage and join a club. You'll have like minded people around so it'll be easier to have conversations. A lot of universities have an anime club, which I assume you have some interest in.
You might also see if your university has public speaking courses. Learning how to speak to multiple people at a time can help a lot with social anxiety.
Also look into if they offer free/low cost counciling. Anxiety and stress can literally kill in college, so many universities offer free counciling to students to help deal with exactly the issues you've noted.
College friends can be some of the most rewarding and long lasting friendships of your life. I hope you'll enjoy yourself and make lots of new friends. You've got this.
I am a 17-year old girl that would enter college this year, but am scared because I am a shy person and I don't approach others or talk to them except if they approach me first, and I don't like to show my weakness to anybody, only some of my friends sow my week side, am scared of what would people say about me and always when I want to master up my courage and start a conversation I always imagine how the conversation will go and become feared of their responds so up until now I haven't started a conversation with a stranger and I know that I need to do that when I go to college so can you help me with this problem that I have, I would appreciate it...(▰˘◡˘▰)