How to study abroad in England?

So I'm an American going to England to study abroad and I've been so excited I've wanted to go to England almo?

• So I'm an American going to England to study abroad in the spring 2012 and I've been so excited I've wanted to go to England almost my whole life, but when I sat down with an adviser and she put my name on her list to start the ball rolling I've had non-stop anxiety since. I keep thinking of how hard it is for me to make friends in the country I've lived in my whole life so how am I going to make friends there, I'll be eating alone, shopping alone, sight-seeing alone. I'll miss my family so much. The adviser even told me that the other students studying abroad don't usually become friends and I was counting on those potential allies to help adjust. There's also the fact that I have learning disabilities and...I always fail research papers, and failing a research paper abroad is going to cause me to have an emotional meltdown. I'll be gone for four months...I've never been away from my family for more than a week or two. Any study abroad advice for a naturally nervous, socially awkward person who REALLY wants to have an amazing time in Leeds, England??

• Answer:

  I live in Leeds, and I can tell you that Leeds is no better, no worse, than any other large city. As far as making friends goes, don't worry. People are people, wherever in the world you go, and you're bound to find someone who will talk to you, buy you a drink, and so on. Try to get rid of the "I always fail..." feeling. Adopt a positive outlook, and you'll be OK. If you get into Leeds University, the first thing to do is to join every club that's there. That way, you'll meet far more people than if you just sit in your room and wait for someone to knock on your door. Later, you can pull out of clubs that are not to your taste, but at first, join all of them! That's the main thing that I would say to you, friend. Don't wait for friends to come to you, go out and find them! And on a campus, there are lots of nice people who are feeling the same anxieties as you are, so you have something in common before you even start! Come to Leeds, bring your positive outlook with you, and you'll have a great time!