Trying too hard to be like them..normality vs uniqueness

I've realised from the past experiences and now as well.. that I've wanted to belong so much, I've wanted to keep friends, or I've wanted to share common interests.. that I "try too hard" -was a friend's way of saying when I complained..

In primary school..
>I was influenced by the "boy next door" to be a tomboy, cos I hung around him a lot
>I tried to cover my boyish hair cut with my school hat
>I tried too hard to be normal by not doing my best in english class in HK
>I let people make me do oaths, and read their books

In highschool
>I pretended to know what ppl were saying when I didn't really, to not seem dumb - i still do that to some degree nowadays 0=)
>Trying to be nice to people even though they were so mean
>Trying out friends' interests and even tho I later don't like it too much, still pretending to like or persevering [sp?]
>Taking up friend's interests as my own
>I don't put my hand up even tho I know the answer cos I don't want to stand out as the "smart/tech"

Since people often find my interests weird [whenever I share them], and hardly many share them with me, i become self focused/concious, and don't share as much about myself.. fearing judgement by others..and rejection/neglect