How to make friends and get them to like you -- really, really like you.

With Valentine's Day coming up, everyone seems to be spreading the love, even if it's just among friends -- except for you. Instead, you're getting this nagging, "left-out" feeling, a nagging sensation that "nobody likes you." Don't despair! Here's how to make good friends.

Confidence is Key
While it's a bummer that you're feeling lonely, falling in to a "woe is me" rut won't help the situation. Instead, use imitation as the sincerest form of flattery. There are always a handful of folks around who genuinely seem to have a natural confidence. You don't have to morph in to them, but focus on what it is that makes these folks so popular.

Sense of Self
Before anyone else can like you, you have to like yourself. Try to focus on whatever it is that is causing you to shy away from people and harness a sense of self-esteem and self-respect. Once that's done, don't forget to have a sense of humor. It may seem like an oxy-moron, but just because you have a sense of pride doesn't mean you can't laugh it off when you trip and fall. If you don't have a good sense of humor about yourself, you risk coming off pretentious -- which is social suicide.

Go Clubbin'
If you're still having a hard time attracting the friends like a flock of seagulls to a tempting ocean-side picnic, consider joining a few organizations. Joining a club is the quickest way to narrow down like-minded folk. If you love to write, chances are joining the school's Writers & Poet's Society will introduce you to a few fellow scribes.