[33girl]

The first thing to do is quit saying "I am a shy person" and replace it with "I am an outgoing person." If you keep saying you are shy, you are anxious, etc...you WILL be.

COB is a much more relaxed atmosphere than formal - it's basically going to a new friend's house and hanging out with them. There IS going to be some amount of where are you from, what's your major, etc...that is how people make initial contact, no one says "Hi, what are your secret dreams and wishes?" the minute they meet someone. Don't be impatient!

Make a deal with yourself that you will talk to at least x number of people that you don't know before each party - once you get started, you will probably end up talking to twice that many.

Good luck!