Move past small talk. Find out what the other person wants to talk about. Talk about that. Don't know anything about it? Ask some questions. That way the other person carries most of the burden of the conversation. They won't notice whether you're awkward or shy (or won't care if they do notice).

How do you find out what the other person wants to talk about? Listen. Look (their tee shirt will often tell you).

Or, if you're in a class with the person and you both actually care about the class, talk about the class. Talk about the homework. "I'm stuck on #8. Did you get anywhere on it?" will open some conversational doors.