Dear SweetandTrue, ~ College can be a very lonely time, because we must spend so much time studying, and, in your case, applying to graduate schools. For that activity, alone, I applaud you. Social anxiety is often a part of depression and keeps us from reaching out to others. Its's as though depression brings with it a sort of paranoia or self-consciousness, wherein we feel as though others are judging as, projecting our self-judgement onto others. I personally, feel more comfortable around others who may have limitations or need my help in some way. By reaching out to such people, or others [everybody needs help in some way], you can almost guarantee friendships, especially when you do this with no expectation of response. Look around and see if there is anything about anyone you see that you can honestly compliment. See if someone in a wheelchair needs help reaching the top shelf. See if anyone needs some of your understanding in one of your college courses. Compliment the professor when a lecture is particularly interesting, or ask him a question about it. Reaching out without expectation of a friendly response is a good way to get a friendly response. Certainly, as indicated by the plethora of responses to your post, you have friends here~! ~ billieJ