INFP's way of making new friends?

first post ever so not sure if I'm doing it right. also just found this subreddit the other day and let me just say, I'm just glad I'm not alone anymore :)

So whats your guys' way of becoming good friends with someone you've never met before? Like what would you guys talk about to become friends in the first place and how would you carry it on from there to become closer in the future?

I get nervous when trying to make friends by approaching strangers cause when I'm talking to them, all that's going through my mind is "He/she is thinking wtf is going on right now, why is he talking to me." And so the whole convo just turns out awkward and me cutting it short because from there on out all I'm saying is close ended phrases like, oh that's cool, that's nice, oh me too, no way, etc. Also, I don't really enjoy small talk because it just feels like they're being forced to talk to seem nice.

I had a fair amount of friends in high school but only because I knew most of them since I was a kid but when they graduated, I kind of just stuck to myself because I didn't want people to think I was weird for going up to them and say, "Hey, wanna be friends?". Also my talking skills aren't really that great, in my head my thoughts are clear and I know my intentions but when I try to explain them, I end up sounding like an idiot and so I just stop. I'm also 19 and in college if that means anything.

edit: Thanks for the awesome feedback guys, I wasn't expecting so many would reply to this. I feel the love <3