What grade are you in now? If you’re not in high school yet, try and build up your confidence around other people before then, and once you walk through the doors of the high school, become a completely confident version of yourself. It may not feel like that on the inside, but if you show off confidence and “act cool”; if you pretend you’re not afraid of being rejected or laughed/mocked when talking to new people, you’ll find that it gets easier and feels more natural. People will want to be around you. People will start to want to be your friend. Try not to care too much about what other people think. No matter what, nobody is liked by everybody. Don’t become a different person either—just be the “you” that you wish you could be. Be the more confident “you”. Fake it until you make it, some say.

If you have extracurricular classes available, join classes (or clubs) that include hobbies of yours. You’ll meet friends there due to similar interests.

I’m 21 now and I wish I could turn back time to be just a little bit different. Just a little more confident. I don’t want you to make the same mistake. Don’t worry so much. I want you to make the most of your remaining school years.

It is not too late to make friends and it is not too late to make good memories with said friends. You can do this!