With your friends you're full of witty comebacks and brimming with confidence. But around boys…well, you're a blushing, stammering, self-conscious mess. You feel like somebody stole your bubbly personality when your back was turned and replaced it with a boring one. Have no fear - this is totally natural. Think of the most super-cool celeb you can. I bet you a million bucks she felt that way at some point too. Here's how to get over it.

Prepare to steal the show
Confidence is a state of mind. If you think you're a self-assured babe, you will be. So train yourself to look and feel more confident. Practice walking into a room with your head held high and a big smile on your face. Start keeping a compliment diary, where you record the times when your friend said you have a cool wardrobe or lovely long eyelashes. Whenever you start to feel insecure, read that to boost yourself up. In your mind's eye, visualise yourself going to the disco or into the dinner hall and being the wittiest, most relaxed person in the room. You're more likely to make it happen if you think it can.

Blow him away
He may be the coolest guy you know, but you have to convince yourself that you don't care what he thinks. This will stop you feeling self-conscious. So repeat, 'I don't care what you think of me' over and over in your mind. Even write it down if it helps. Then you'll be less likely to obsess over your bad hair day or have a lump in your throat. Think beforehand of what jokes you can tell or things you have in common to spark off conversation. If he says something that you have no answer to, just smile and change the subject to one that you prepared.

Leave him wanting more
Boys love a girl with mystery, so the best thing to do is to give him a little bit of your attention and then take it away again. Ask a friend to come up and drag you away after a few minutes, pretending that she simply has to tell you some gossip. Or pretend you've got somewhere to be. He'll think you're a girl in demand and is bound to want you more.