Life Changes

A few things I want to try for the next few months:

1. Using the phrase "let me think about it" instead of feeling like I'm being put on the spot and need to answer immediately when someone asks me something. I think this will cut down on the awkward excuses I always have to make when it turns out I don't want to/can't do something I already agreed to. Additionally, I won't feel so pressured to give someone a certain answer just to please them when I'm face-to-face with them.
2. Tell people "no" and be confident about it. I always feel like my reasons for not doing things sound like pathetic excuses, but really I need to remember my main priority (my thesis) and not feel embarrassed or lame when I tell people I need to work on it.
3. Stop making excuses. I'm just going to be upfront about things. If I don't want to go out because I'm tired, I'll tell people I'm tired. Or that I feel awkward. Or that I'd rather just do my own thing. Who are they to argue??
4. Actually make the attempt to socialize with more people. Basically since I've been in college, I've been letting a lot of friendships slip away and I want to stop or reverse that. I want to be more open to just going out and talking with people. I'm just going to be myself and not have any expectations. If I don't like hanging out with someone, I won't do it again, but I want to be more positive about socializing and better manage my friendships.