How can I help my son from being so shy?

Question

In a couple of weeks, my 18 year old son is going to start college for the first time. Unfortunately, he was too late for signing up for a dorm on campus and for now he can't stay there. We were able to rent him a place very near to campus. The problem is that he has a very hard time meeting new people and unfortunately he doesn't know anyone in the new university. Is there anything besides the typical advice(confidence, more social etc...) that anyone can suggest?

Answer 1

He won't be the only one feeling that way so remind him of that.  Perhaps you can tell him to keep an eye out for other shy ones and to make things just a bit easier for them by sharing a smile or a hi or a comment. Who knows what friendships may come from that.  More kids have a hard time than don't and many of them don't have such caring mothers as you are.  

Answer 2

well.. i dont know if i have much advice, but i have some experience.. i am in the senior year of college and started out freshman year with none of my friends going to my school. And honestly, college is the best place to meet people.. even if you dont live on campus. The good news is, he will soon be in classes that are specific to his major that will be full of people who have many things in common with him, or tell him to join a club, going to football games.. college kids are always up for meeting an hanging out with new people.. the best advice i can give is to find someone in every class that could meet up with him at the library or something to study for upcoming exams. studying plus new friend, bonus!

Answer 3

Hi

Firstly i will assume your son is really SHY and nothing else (no medical problem or whatever)

Then I think we should go back to basic, build up his confidance by letting him meet with pp, this is something cannot be changed

You need to open your self up by giving him a chance to meet with pp, maybe you can start off by finding chance to meet yuor friend son or daughter of around  same age, if not have some gathering with your friend like pinic so they bring their chindren and he can meet aorund whild in your presence

see his reaction and open more by letting him meet with pp without you aruond

joining some classes or learn some lessons where team work is needed

start building before school starts and this will may him more ready when meeting with larger number of pp

Answer 4

I had a similar problem, I have asperger's and I have had one year of college so far.  I was not able to meet anyone because of my asperger's a form of autism in which I was pretty much born not to naturally know how to fit in and be social.  I did not meet anyone during my first year of college and I don't really have any friends.  I am currently in therapy in which I am taught how to be more "normal" and fit in and to be more social.  I also have social anxiety which is pretty much extreme shyness so I get really nervous and anxious in just about any social situation.  

Answer 5

I would have to suggest hiring an escort to flirt with him somewhere.  I know that it's way, way, way, way, way outside the box.  I don't mean for sexual purposes though.  Hire a gal to take him out for an evening and get him socialized. Hope to not have offended you with my suggestion.  Plus if he was seen around campus or something like that with a very attractive girl, it might stimulate or generate curiosity from his peers.