My Dilemma - the student with no friends.

Okay, to put everything out in the open. I've been back at university for 6 months now and have found it near impossible to develop any meaningful friendships - I'm a graduate student. I am hopelessly shy, and because of this, people mistake this as me being a snob, when in reality I'm not. I guess I should add that most of my fellow classmates are from overseas and I've tried to be friendly with everyone, but nothing, and then the local students don't talk to me because they assume that I am an overseas student due to my appearance - I am an Asian-Australian. I never had this problem when I was an undergraduate! :frown:

I am 23, but feel so hopeless and alone. I am so shy that I will only talk to people when I need to at work, when in reality I want to be friends with some of them.

I feel very embarrassed that I even need to post about this on an online forum. I've recently thought of posting my dilemma onto sites such as Facebook, as I have joined up to communities related to my uni and faculty, but am worried that I may be judged harshly. I actually wouldn't mind socialising with undergraduates within my faculty, but don't know how to approach the situation really.

Any suggestions?

Reply 1

dh00001

you want to talk to people which is good it sounds like really you need to just push yourself and do it. when you see these people outside of a work situation start with a simple hello how are you. if there is little chance for conversation excuse yourself and leave. try again the next time.
keep building little conversations until you feel confident enough to keep talking to them etc.

Reply 2

theonehitwonder

dh00001

Ideally, yes.. but given the nature of my work, we have very minimal contact, and we never see each other outside of work.

I am thinking that uni would be my best bet to meet people, but it's been hard. :frown:

Reply 3

Mangaroo

make sure u go to the next freshers!

Reply 4

theonehitwonder

I was actually planning to join in this year, but didn't because I felt that because I had been at the uni for four years while studying my bachelor's degree, I felt that I was 'out of place'. It's stupid, argh. I will be graduating mid next year and will probably be my last opportunity to make any long standing friends.