This is sort of a self-test and an advice request.

At school I'm not very social. I have a hard time initiating conversation that isn't related to school work. (Mainly because I don't have much too talk about, and partly because I have the "what do I say" mindset that isn't free-flowing). I've decided I want to start being a generally more approachable person around school.

I make a lot of eye contact when walking around- even though I find it difficult (at the moment) to maintain it.

I walk tall, and with a slight smile on my face. I try to smile a other people as well.

ADVICE TIME I want to start taking things to the next level- complimenting, initiating small talk, etc. But it's the small talk that always gets me. I never have the guts to start a conversation, and have a somewhat difficult time maintaining it.

What should I do? Should there be something I should focus on? What sort of fear-killing mindsets should I go over before talking with someone- seeing as how I'm always thinking about what the conversation would turn out to be like?