I don't feel like I can give you literal conversation starters that aren't super boring or generic (like chats about the weather), without way more context than is possible to obtain at this stage.
But, one thing that did help me strike conversations and eventually friendships with people, was just hanging around campus doing stuff that piqued other people's interest.
A couple of times it was me playing on my Nintendo 3DS between lectures, and once someone even came up to me to compliment my Sony Discman.
Other times it might be something as simple as there not being any empty tables in the cafeteria, so you ask to sit with someone. If they're not clearly busy or studying, you might start by asking what course they do, how they're finding it, etc. These are all fairly passive approaches though, and that's possibly related to my extreme introversion.
A slightly more active suggestion – take advantage of group assignments! (As much as I hate them.) Make plans to meet up. Get a few hours of work done together then hang out with a few beers or a soda or whatever. Win-win.