1. School workloads were demanding
2. I'd prefer living alone, provided that I have people to spend time with when I feel like. Also, I was new to the area, so I did not want to have a roommate until I find a good one.
I second having roommates. I'm terrible at meeting new friends but have pretty substantial social networks stemming from random roommates off of Craigslist. The best man at my wedding was a Craigslist roommate, who was very much a social connector. Much of my social network when I moved to another city was from his college friends, and another group here was another roommate from Craigslist's friends.
Look for good roommates. The more social the better. I also was similarly uncomfortable with roommates, commuted to college, lived alone, and one day in my early 20's I made a choice to deliberately do things that make me uncomfortable and it changed my life forever.
Step out of your comfort zone. Its the only thing that will change your situation.
get over that and get room-mates. They might not necessarily become your best buddies, but at least your interactions with them should help you improve your conversational English.
Look for good roommates. The more social the better. I also was similarly uncomfortable with roommates, commuted to college, lived alone, and one day in my early 20's I made a choice to deliberately do things that make me uncomfortable and it changed my life forever.
Step out of your comfort zone. Its the only thing that will change your situation.