I have been struggling with this too, for sooooo many reasons, but I've figured out a great and blissfully scripted way to make at least casual acquaintances. Go into all of your classes the first day and sit by someone in or near the front row who looks friendly. These are generally nice, nerdy people, who care about school, which is why they sit up close to the teacher and the board. Say hello. Make polite small talk. Do your work in class. At the end of class, you can say, "Hey, you want to exchange numbers so we can study together?" Bam. Easy. They usually want to pass the class and want friends themselves, so they usually will. This is great for many reasons:
-You now have their number for any reason you might need. Starting a polite conversation over text may be easier for you than a face to face conversation. I know communicating through writing is easier for me.
-You can ask this person about homework or missed classes and you actually do have a study buddy. Great for when you're overwhelmed.
-Studying or eating together is a great way to get to know each other better.
-You may have similar interests or even be in the same major, which could be why you're in the same class. Also, you can talk about your class when you're at a loss for conversation.
-You have an established seat now next to someone you know and trust more than a random stranger, which is great for reducing anxiety in class!
-You're in the front, which is awesome, because people in the front tend to do better in school. (Yes, I know, correlation does not equal causation, but it's easier to focus and it will be easier to get your professor to recognize you.)
Hopefully this method helps you as much as it does me. I've met some great friends and mentors this way.
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"The important thing is not to stop questioning." -Albert Einstein