Friends

How can I make new friends?
I'm 18 at the end of this month and I feel so lonely, I literally only have my best friend who is amazing but is going to uni soon. (i don't struggle making friends, and i love being around people and am seeing a guy in the military)
When I was in secondary school i really struggled with depression and anxiety so regularly missed school. Although i had no issue forming friendships, i wasnt consistently at school therefore friendships fell through when we left year 11.
I made a few friends at college but it is a good 40 minutes from home therefore people aren't local.
Being nearly 18 i want to go out, but i have no one to go with and it's starting to affect the way i feel. I don't know how to go about making new friends without seeming desperate...