Dear B:

I will paraphrase your post taking out “social anxiety” and “nerd” and all that goes with these two labels:

I’m in community college, and one of the classes that is ending soon is Japanese 2. There are a few people I really wanted to befriend and try to get to know, particularly a guy who sits behind me, but I fear they don’t like me. My therapist said it is a good idea to try to talk to them, but I am scared. And what would be the point of socializing at the end of the semester, people will think I am stupid for trying to socialize so late, it being not worth it. People will laugh at me inside their heads and think I am pathetic, and they will reject me! Why would anyone want to know me anyway. I regret not socializing earlier. Should  I socialize now, or is it too late?

My answer: socialize now, but just a little bit, perform just one act of socializing, that is all, ask one person a question or suggest a get together with just one person, maybe the guy who sits behind you, maybe someone else.

anita