Showing weakness does make me feel uncomfortable as well initially. i would only talk about areas of pain in my life to those who i have developed a certain amount of rapport with. after the initial small talk to transition into more important topics, i ask questions that make them think more. One question i like to ask people because i genuinely am interested in asking is, "So where do you think you will be in five to ten years?". this question and others help me learn about the characteristics, goals, and passions they have and it also gives me insight to how they tend to think. This is just a way i use to strengthen that bond with those i feel like are good people in general. for those people that tend to tease a lot and seem lost in their heads and not really listening during conversations, i won't go there.
I think it's good that you are interested in some of your classes that you are taking. that definitely will help you get a good grade in those classes. my interests are more towards adventure hobbies/ sports and traveling to parts of the world with amazing natural landscapes and wildlife. I hope you get what you want out of life and good luck in the engineering field. If you want to talk about anything else, i'd be glad to.