Hey mitch,
Nice to meet you. I'm James and I'm 26 so I don't think I'm that much older than you, but then again, when I was 20, I thought anyone over 23 was an old fart. So who knows what you think of me, haha.
Anyway, I totally get where you're coming from. When you're in high school, you have a circle of friends who you are around all day, every day. Then into uni, and different schedules, different classes, friends hanging out with others...it's really easy to find yourself feeling really lonely, and that's really tough.
I don't know about you, but I found it particularly hard because all these shows and people talk about uni life being full of partying and meeting new people and making heaps of friends, and, yeah, girls too. I think my uni life in first year was mostly working and studying and eating a kebab on my own.
My suggestion is to get involved in things you'd never really considered before.
I got involved in salsa dancing and a few volunteering events in second year and man that changed my uni life. I think letting go of my high school self really helped - nobody knew who I was anymore, so it was up to me to find new interests and new friends who were interested in the same things.
Maybe you don't have to be so drastic (i have identity issues) but I think the best way to make friends is just to be really open as a person. Try new things, talk to people you wouldn't normally talk to, and you'll find people who you can actually relate to.
As for girls...I think it's best to start with surrounding yourself with a good group of friends (who don't even necessarily need to be friends with each other). I think a good partner is much harder to find than a good friend and sometimes can lead on from a good friendship anyhow. It can be tough being single in uni, but it can also be quite a trap to be in a relationship when you don't feel quite ready yet.
James
