you have to set out a handful of friends you can talk to - from primary school, secondary, sixth /college, uni and work - say you had 4 strong friends from each of those it's at least 20 people.
Say you went out in your home town and you had those 1 or 2 or 3 strong friendships and then you can socialise with countless amounts of people and you can relay your uni time and your work and career progression and keep them at arms length and not seem too desperate to be with people and be strong, focused, driven and independent then people will want what you want which is to let off steam when they can usually for a birthday or celebrating something, to have a party just to have a party can sometimes be shallow but being forthright in making things happen goes a long way, if you invite 20 people to a party then that could be 20 parties you get invited to in return.
It is sad that technology has isolated us as much as it has brought us together but keeping it short and sweet and showing the world you have a few friends that mean the world to you and you comment simple things on their insta or twitter to stay in touch, 'wow, that looks yummy!' or 'you look amaze in the dress' just to let them know you are still about and if you sit around waiting for the world to come to you then you'll die still waiting.
Your main focus is your energy into your career and from that you will have the money for clothes, some travelling and for partying and keeping some interests like health and good eating and art and music and you can have a good conversation about your career focus that makes you intellectual and like your education amounted to something.
In one way you have to be selfish and think about yourself and reaching your goals and making money for yourself but then with this you can share the wealth and care for your friends and family, see the world together, experience new things and grow together as the hands of time move on.