How can I socialize with people better?

Sometimes I have no problems talking to people in classes and can keep a conversation going but more times than not, I just don't feel it's worth it, I'm not in the mood, or I can't think of anything to say and don't want to embarass myself by saying something stupid. I like to do things on my own, and that includes thinking introvertedly. If someone brings up a good topic I contribute if they're talking specifially to me, but if they're talking in general I usually don't respond because I don't like awkward silences and if the conversation ends I'm not always interested or confident enough to continue it. I doubt myself and feel like people won't relate to or that I'll bore them. It doesn't help that I just moved to the area as of last year and go to a big school filled with A LOT of competition with grades, looks, and sports. The people are cliquey and everyone wants to be popular, drink, and do drugs. I'm not interested in that and people make you feel like a loser if you don't. I'm not against people doing that stuff, it's just not my thing. I've experienced it and have more fun sober.

I'm really inconsistent in how I interact with people...sometimes I'm friendly, sometimes I'm not, and people probably think I'm stuck-up. I know I'm an interesting person and around my close friends I'm witty, insightful, and have a lot to say. But around people in class who I don't know well I feel uncomfortable unless I'm in a small group or pair when I know people will hear me. I guess I'm just afraid of being ignored or thought of as annoying. How can I get over this? This may sound rude, but I can talk to nerds/average people just fine--it's the loud and super confident ones I have trouble talking to. Help! I'm a sophomore in high school.How can I socialize with people better?
Yeah, I think you've got ';Cognitive Thinking Disorder';. You definitely display some symptoms. It doesn't mean you're crazy or dysfunctional, it just means you need to approach your thinking habits in new ways. Thinking disorders can be extremely difficult to break especially if they're ';entrenched'; or perhaps the result of childhood trauma. You may need to consider talking to your doctor so he can give you a referral to someone who works in the field of mental health. Don't worry, you're not ';weird'; or anything. This is very common abnormality and it is recognized. Hope that helps.