That's pretty weird. Personally I prefer a quieter girl to the loud ones usually, since the loud ones tend to drink and turn annoying fast. But, there's good, confident quiet and then there's shy and shut-off...and you seem to be suffering from the latter.
I'm a guy, but your situation (I read your other post, too) basically sounds the same to what happened to me, time wise. I never had a huge group of friends, but around the age of 14-15 I started doing home schooling and just totally isolated myself. I'd never really liked people anyway. 4 years later, after moving to a small town in a new state where I knew
absolutely nobody, it was time to find a job and start my fire career by joining a volunteer department for experience. I don't know about the UK, but in the US firefighters are about as loud as they come. I figured at first I would just show up for calls and training and involve myself socially a little bit...but I quickly learned that you can't really do that, because to trust eachother in this line of work, you have to know eachother.
So began an at least 9 month inner battle to overcome my quiet, introverted, timid shyness. It was painful and stressful, and as fire meetings came and went I wished more and more I could somehow be a part of that group. But how? Even if I wanted to, I had nothing really to talk about. I had no conversation skills really, and I didn't do anything to talk about with them.
So I finally got a job. And that's when I started having -something- to talk about, at least. Something to work with. And then the 6 month basic fire class started up and I was able to open up more and more over time and realize, 'Hey, there really is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to talking to people.' I learned the skill of being able to stand around and just BS, and be relaxed doing it. Finally, one day, we were doing a new training exercise and the Chief came in and started teasing some of us (In a friendly way...Chief's a pretty cool old guy). So I Shock-and-Awed everyone: I told Chief I was going to shove an air pack up his ass.
We laughed for ten minutes, and from there on it was easy street. I'd broke out of my shell...and while I'm the same friendly guy I always have been, it shows now. I too am loud and proud...and it's *fun*.
So, keep working at it. You need to watch closely what other people do: How conversations flow, what sort of body language and posturing they use. Mull over in your head how you would respond to certain things. Slowly start making yourself have things to say, and don't be afraid to say them.
I don't really know what college is like socially, other than the big dumb drunken parties, because I'm not going to a big university or anything...I'm just getting my A.S. through a community college. But life is a dynamic thing, and you can always find a new crowd of people to 'start fresh' with, even if it's outside the college environment. But as you go, you might not have to. I was just like you, but I got to the point where I was getting invited to lunch or dinner like I had always hoped for, and if I ever want to I can outright say to someone, 'hey, I'm bored lately. Are you doing anything fun?' At first it feels like you're nagging, but if you say it kinda light heartedly with a smile, most times people are glad to have you along...and then you start getting invited the next time.
Again, the starting point comes back to watching other people. And that doesn't mean you have to get drunk like they do I don't think (in fact I recommend avoiding that aspect of things if you can), just 'learn' the confidence and how to communicate to others who you are and what you're thinking. It's a hard, painstaking path sometimes. But I found success...and if I can do it, I know you can too.
Anyway.
Don't feel too desperate to find a boyfriend. You're a really good looking girl, if that is a picture of you, and once you learn to communicate and socialize (not necessarily learning to be loud and drunk and obnoxious) I seriously doubt you'll have problems as long as you're friendly. Remember: We are *way* more afraid of you than you are of us
A lot of what you've seen so far might be the guy is just feeling like you're not interested in him. I know if I approach and try to talk to a quiet girl I don't know, and she's really good looking, it doesn't take much to feel like I should find somewhere else to be.
Anyway...let me know what you think of all that and I can give you more feedback on specific things.
Cheers,
Brian