Relating and feeling alone.. Am I the only one?

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Hi all, just dropping by to post. I am not a diagnosed AS, but I am pretty certain that I am AS.

I am at a smaller school and it is hard for me to relate and find things in common with people. Lately I have been doing really good and trying really hard to relate, asking questions, trying to talk to people, but it seems like no matter how hard I try I cannot relate. I ask questions, but I find I either have no way to relate to the replies and have no idea what to say. I really want to make friends and have a more social life, and I have a few guys I know, but nothing like other people do where they hang out, joke, and have fun. I really really want to relate, but it just seems like something is holding me back no matter how hard I try. Lately I feel like I just cannot relate no matter what I do. I have been on campus and in classes the past few weeks talking to others and getting to know them, but I either forget details about them, or just don't know what to say to become friends with them. People eventually stop talking to me because I cannot relate to them and I am once again by myself and alone. I can easily relate to others on the computer, and have a lot of people I know and several friends on it, but real life is a different beast. I want to transfer this over and be able to communicate with people, I just don't know what to do. I am really putting myself out there, trying to make it work, but it is getting to a point where I just want to give up and seclude myself and be alone because it is so draining trying to relate/understand and communicate with people.

This is also impacting my relationships. The few relationships I have had (I am male), have been due to the females pursuing me. It doesn't help I do not have much experience, and I do not know how to relate. There is a girl I really really like, but I cannot even communicate with people normally, let alone with this girl that I like her. I have confidence and I know I want to get to know her a lot better, I just don't know how to do it. I can ask her questions, and do followup questions, but that doesn't make me funny or relateable with her. I got to sit by her the other day and I asked her a few questions, she seemed really interested in me before and now it seems to be fading as I think I may have blown my chance by not being able to talk with her that day. I just do not know how to relate. So I am here hoping and praying that others can relate to my situation and maybe have some advice to share. I am trying so hard, but it seems like no matter what I do people just do not want to be friends with me. I am beginning to become a bit down because it feels like I am alone and no one understands me.
Any help is much appreciated!

You have friends here but I know, ''real life'' friends would be good to have. Are there any clubs at your school centered around computers or any other special interests of yours? Any hangouts near you where like-minded people tend to gather? Try Facebook, you might make some online friends and find that one or two live near you. What can I say, I count myself lucky to have one real good friend and we live four hours apart. But I'm real popular (new word...doesn't...compute) online! Good luck!

welcome to wp. i can relate to your story, but i cannot help you because i gave up and just got used to being alone. dont do that, fight! keep trying.

I'll bet you'll have an easier time interacting with people who act like adults

Thanks for the welcomes. I already feel at home

Chever: Yes that is in fact true, I can relate and communicate really effectively with my professors and older more mature individuals. It is easy, and not even a burden trying to converse with them. Occassionally I may get a little bit stumped, but I always seem to be able to work around it in one way or another. They seem a lot more open and willing to engage me with ideas and conversation, sharing stories and such. It may be that the people who are around me are immature, though it seems odd that almost everyone is like that. I am curious about the origins of your comment though (re: how did you come to that conclusion). Thanks very much for the feedback.

Tomamil: Before coming to college I was alone a lot in high school and during work, that is when I met a few people on the computer. I decided I wanted to try new things at college and this is my biggest hurdle, trying to relate to them. Thank you for the bright welcome

Legendoftheselkie: There are a few clubs, the biggest issue I am facing is the number of people at this school. It is roughly the size of my high school (around 2000 people) and some days I feel like I have been warped back a few years and I am back in high school. The college is very cliqueish, so it is even harder to try and get in with people. It seems almost like once you get a stigma of being a particular way it sticks with you via gossip and other means, which is very disheartening. I have in the past joined a few clubs (student council, theatre) but in the end it always ends up that I am not that interested in the subject matter and there are a very limited amount of clubs here as the school is small. I will take a look again and see if there is something I can find.

Thank you all for your advice, great to know you all care enough to respond. I appreciate it!