How can I be more outgoing at school?

So yeah, school's going to start up soon (ugh!) and I would really like to have a good year...the past few have been kinda rough. Soo, I was wondering if anyone had any good advice on how to be more outgoing and 'fun' while staying true to yourself. It's just that, like, whenever I say something, as soon as I say it, I think to myself, 'That was so dumb! Why'd you say that?' And I'll be mentally slapping myself, then I'll think about how my voice sounds (I don't really like the sound of my voice), then my brain kicks in and I have this whole long huge thought process that's too long to type out here and then I usually end up being the quiet kid who doesn't say a whole lot so people just think that I'm unsociable or anti-social or whatever, but I'm not. Really, I'm not! So yeah. Any advice?

well...say hi to the person who sits next to you and just keep saying that, in hallways and eventually they'll become your friend(s). AMybe hang out w/ a group of people you seem to like and get to know them a bit more. Open up maybe join a club/ sport or two. the word 'HI/HEY' goes a looong way ^^ good luck!

Pretend you are someone else. Wait, before people start to get onto me for not telling you to be yourself, allow me to explain. Of course, always be yourself. I am not saying change your personality, I have a suggestion that may work. It worked for me. It is kind of like a Dumbo scenario. He thought the feather made him fly but really it was actually Dumbo who could do it. Anyway, it is like this. Imagine you are a celebrity that you really like, or a singer. Picture yourself as this person. As you are imagining you are this person, talk to people. Say whatever you want but instead of having a mental break down, you have to remember you are somebody famous and whatever you say people will hang onto every word. For me, it was Denise Richards. I could say the dorkiest thing in the world but it didn't matter because I was Denise. Keep doing this in all situations. Don't say things you think that person would say, just imagine you are that person. If you want to talk to someone and you get nervous, imagine you are that famous person and go for it. Eventually, it becomes second nature and one day you realize you are the one who has been making the friends and being outgoing all along. You won't even remember the last time you had a mental war inside your head. Kind of like Dumbo. You will have been pretending but after some time, all those people were actually talking to you. I am sure you are a great and you don't want to be selfish and keep all that greatness to yourself. Share it with the everyone else.

I was in your shoes once & still kind of am. Spark up a conversation. Like if you see someone listening to their mp3 player ask what they are listening to...or you start the conversation. Like bring up something thats on the news for instance it could be how lindsay and paris are always mentioned in the media..and then say oh they forget about other important stuff going on in the world..like world hunger,the war and etc... Always, come up with stuff...so what if people think you are kind of weird? at least you are taking the risk of approaching? many people are afraid of approaching for the fear of rejection. That's life and it goes on..sh*t happens..and if someone comments say oh I am just random like that ? or something like that...

just go with it schools a breez im going into 12th grade and I wish I could do it all over again the best way to have a good time in school is be with your friends and do things you like to do