I am a 17 year old guy about to enter my senior year of high school. For about 6 years now I have been painfully shy (although I was somewhat outgoing in the years before). I believe my schooling contributed a lot to this; I was home schooled up to my freshman year. I switched to a private school for my sophomore year and spent two years there. I thought I could change there; I was dead wrong. Even though the high school had less then fifty people there I constantly felt like my fellow students were hating on me because I was shy. I know this likely is not true, they did not bully me or visibly show signs of hatred. But it hurt so much to sit alone at lunch and be left out of every conversation. I would have totally flipped out there if it wasn't were for a few friends that were also unpopular.
So this year I left that school and I am switching to a public school where I know just about no one. I think this is good because I can make good impressions on these people and maybe conquer my shyness. Honestly though I am still extremely shy. So I am wondering if it is realistic or even possible to expect that I can succeed socially there? I have tried to improve by reading up on shyness but I am still terrified and reluctant to talk to people. My shyness has wrecked me and I am losing friends because of it. I'm desperate so any advice about overcoming shyness would be very welcome.