When I got into college it was a huge relief! I was always a shy kid, probably also due to my stutter and I expected the same people to know me throughout my life. I had my neighborhood friends and some best friends but I couldn't believe how different college was. I don't think there was one person from my high school there and I was local so I really wasn't far off from the as far as I know. It was such a breath of fresh air, a new beginning! I did so much better grade wise in college than high school. It was a much more mature experience, plenty of people like me that were shy but kind, and I always went to the student help center to really be able to delve in and get help on some of the classes. I graduated high school with a low 2 something GPA. I graduated college with a Computer Science degree and a Math minor with a 3.65 GPA. I learned that I could rely on myself, I just needed the right environment and mindset. Eventually I had to shed the fear. As we grow old, friends tend to separate naturally. My friends have wife and kids or moved to a different state. It is just a normal part of growing up. You are so young, you have plenty of time to find your path. You can start slowly and make positive changes towards a brighter path, it isn't the speed that counts, just the destination. As you continue towards your path, like minded individuals will come your way.