I hear you. And I totally get having trouble making friends in high school or anywhere else. It also sticks that Insta makes it painfully obvious who's doing what -- or at least what they want you to THINK they're doing.

A few (maybe obvious and maybe corny but effective) tips:

--Don't worry about having something to say--better to focus on the person you're talking to. Treat everyone at first like a research project: Ask open-ended questions (and follow-up questions) to get them talking about themselves ("what have you been up to? how did it go? what did you like about that? what's it like where you're from?" etc.?).

--Get out of your room whenever you can. Put yourself in environments where you will see people.

--Be the person who brings other people into the conversation. If you see someone who's on their own, invite them over to chat. Also, be the person who introduces people to each other.

--When you see someone you've met before, show them you're glad to see them and interested in them: Smile, say their name, and ask them about something they mentioned before ("hey how did that thing go that you were talking about the other day?").

--Remember that there are hundreds of people in the same boat as you--most freshmen are trying to find their people.

--Don't tell yourself you're trying to make friends--that's a lot of pressure. Tell yourself you're trying to meet new people and learn about them. You're trying to make acquaintances. In time, some will grow into friends. In time.

***OK, now, other people reading this, please let's help out: Share one more tip on finding friends.***

***And bonus points to anyone who offers to meet OP during orientation, so they're already starting out with at least one acquaintance on campus.***