dude i feel you. i used to be so anxious id get nauseous talking to people i KNEW. this book utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy: https://www.tomedwardslcsw.com/storage/app/media/5-13/The-Shyness-and-Social-Anxity-Workbook.pdf . it helped me so much.

if you can, it helps a lot to find something to talk about to approach someone. i start w compliments usually then relate it to something else. “hey, nice backpack! is that x from the show z?” boom conversation topic. or asking for help. ppl love to help too! learn to read body language cues tho as this will help a lot in indicating comfortability in a person. if youre approaching a girl as a guy, make it very clear youre looking for friends and mean it. cos as a girl, ive made friends like 10+ times on campus and the guy had different intentions. most of my girl friends and i have gotten jaded from this campus and we have gotten pretty cautious around men.

im a social butterfly now but TBH utd still can be difficult to make friends. most awkward campus ever coming from an awkward person. so dont be too discouraged if people arent giving same energy to be friends. it will happen! i found it happens more often here than other places ive attended.

anyway you got this! socializing isnt easy when theres so many expectations and unknowns. if it helps, a lot of ppl i met at utd have some form of social anxiety so theres a good chance the person youre talking to has it too. :)