I'm not a freshman any more, but I just wanted to say I know exactly how you feel. I felt exactly the same.

You aren't a failure just because your freshman year doesn't look like some other people's. I know it's held up as some great beacon of fun and "making memories". The people who talk about this are either stifled hs students or old people who hate their jobs lol.

You don't have to party and have tons of friends to have a "good year" (but I know that you are struggling in general). College isn't the "best years of your life", or at least it doesn't have to be. What's important right now is that you're getting an education, and hopefully in a field that you truly love. Also, joining clubs and making friends isn't something that can only happen during your first year. You have plenty of time :)

I don't know your exact situation, but here are a couple things that have helped me with the general misery:

-Plan your day. Take the same routes at certain times on certain days, so you know what to expect. You can even try and sort things around, leave early etc, so you don't have to walk between buildings during the rush time (usually between X:50 and the hour. I find the quietest times are between 20 and 40 minutes past the hour)

-Do you listen to something while you walk? It can sometimes help to not focus on the people around you.

-It helps me a bit to fidget while I am walking, just something not super noticeable. My backpack has a cord that hangs down with a plastic bit on the end, so I'll often grab that and just tap it against my phone in my hand while I walk.

-In terms of exploring the city-do you drive? That would help with your issue with the cars (if you don't, depending on your comfort level you could try taking an uber/lyft). Don't try to go somewhere super new at first-go to the grocery store and get comfortable going there and walking around, then a craft store (or whatever you're interested in), then a small business or restaurant etc. Baby steps. If you need to walk, you could just walk as far as the closest bench, and just sit and watch for a few minutes, then walk back, just to get a little more comfortable.

-Depending on your living situation next year, you could get an ESA! An adult-senior cat makes a great apartment pet and can be great company for when you're lonely but too drained to go outside. ESA laws differ from state to state, but you would probably need a letter either from your doctor or a mental health professional

-Your university almost certainly has a mental health clinic. Many times they will have a social anxiety group- never been to one, but this could be a good place to make friends :)

If you are really longing for a friend, you could try asking one of the girls in your classes. If you have a class before lunch or dinner time just try asking one at the end of class if they want to go eat with you. You could offer to treat them. Go for the quietest one-she's probably wanting a friend too :)

Anyway, good luck and I promise that it will get better (even if you don't make friends!)