Hello

I am in my second year of high school, leaving one and a half year before I carry on with undergraduate education. My status in school is not rock-bottom. It might even be average or better. Many treat me such as to signal that they have assumed dominance, though, and I am not in a position to protest. I use the advice from this forum to my benefit but the difference is not very pronounced, possibly because of their perception of me being rather rigid.
Part of the reason for this is that I have been rather quiet. Even when I try to be more vocal, though, I can't keep people interested. My classmates seem to be interested in nothing but pop-culture and gossip, something that I can't really take part in. My question is whether I should just accept and take part in these things which I don't care for at all. Is it possible to change the subject and keeping people interested without having high status? And most importantly, how do I make it interesting?

Regarding pickup, I would have a chance at it after some practice. I don't feel like it, though, given what I am starting from.
Might it be a good idea to save attempts at picking up for college and spend some of my spare time honing more tangible skills instead?

You use this time to practice, practice, practice. Period. Status has NOTHING to do with you keeping people's interest or not. All that controls that is whether you tell interesting stories and are an interesting person. Period. And as far as the dominance issue. You assume dominance just as they have. Work on your own inner game. Build your mental frame up.

Theres a new post in the PUA Lounge. Its called "Something every HSPUA should do...(and any other man too)..." by Paetar. It covers what you need. Building character, inner game and other stuff HSPUA's need. I advise you look it up. It would help.