In just glanced at your goals and you seem like a great person! You are such a strong young woman and you'll make it! You'll be in the top 5 of your graduating class, too. While I had a lot of acquaintances in high school, I didn't have many real friends. Once I got to college, I decided that I wasn't going to make friends unless I made the effort. Like you, I had a fear of rejection. Turns out that most of my best girlfriends are those that I made in college.  Before I started college, I realized that this was an opportunity to start fresh. Nobody knew me, I had to make a name for myself. I studied hard and became a go-to person for my peers. You know the person you want to become, that's a HUGE step, the rest of it is easy!!

It's funny, you know, it doesn't matter what age, there always comes a time when we realize we need to widen the circle of people we know and relate to. Our interests change! It's great to meet new people, because their experiences become part of what we strive for. I met a new friend and I learned to sail. I met another new friend and I think the next thing I'll do is go horseback riding, because that's what she's into. I love how new perspectives introduce new possibilities. I'm working on this goal, too! Good luck and please do post when you make progress. The people you surround yourself with actually play a big role in defining who you are and how big you live so be brave!

 Thanks guys! I've been trying to work on saying things to people that I want to, whether it's a compliment, or a question...I find that it easily opens up a conversation. 

And I can't believe how it works sometimes...I was at an audition and I was seated next to a guy, and I asked him, where he's from, how long he's been performing, etc. and I brought up how I'd been applying to a prestigious summer program. Turns out, he applied, was accepted, and went to the very same thing I've been working so hard on! He's been really encouraging and I finished my application this weekend...now I just have to wait and see if I made the interview round.

 It makes me wonder how many connections I've been ping by the wayside or how many missed opportunities there have been because I lacked initiative!