You can always ask anything on my advice column. However, this question is probably not one of my strengths, but in a strange way it is good too, since I'm not good at conversation and always reading expert advice books on how to improve.
I do know that people love to talk about themselves, so asking a question is always good to get things going in a conversation. Don't try to think about it too much. Just ask something really simple that you have in common. Topics about school can be good, like when an assignment is due, etc.
Another thing people love hearing are compliments. If you compliment a person about something, it also means you like them too. Example: "That is a nice ___, where did you get it?"