Freaking out: How can I break out of my shell?

Question

I'm pretty shy and I'm moving out of this comfort zone of a few good friends and my parents care into a city where I don't know a single person. I'm scared that I'm gonna become a hermit and spend my time at university alone. People seem to want to talk to me but when they do I've got no idea of what to say, I stutter and play with my hands and my voice becomes strained (that's the worst part!), I feel as though I'm driving potential friends away by making them think that I don't want to talk to them.
I know there's no quick solution but if anybodys gone through the same thing or knows any lil tricks to play in my head to stop me from being so bloody shy I'd love to hear it! Even if someone said I'm being stupid and that uni isn't that bad, that'd be good.

Cheers

Answer 1

Fake it til you make it! Seriously, you will begin to believe it. Get out of your head. Listen to what the other people are saying and genuinely react. Don't think about what you should be saying or what sounds good, just get out there. You are unique and you have something to offer the world, you will be discovered! Also, try having one beer before you go out to loosen up (if you are legal).

Answer 2

Hey! im at uni, and im a mature student, im only 22, but hey ho!

i used to suffer badly with low self esteem and low confidence, and the best advice i got was to fake it until you feel it.

i know it sounds hard but seriously, try your best.

make yourself feel great also, take care of yourself, reinvent your image maybe, take time to find out who you are and like yourself.

then others will like you to x

good luck hun!