Picked up my first road bike - a few questions

After spending the last few years doing more and more paved riding it was time to finally get into a road bike. I picked up a used 2011 Specialized secteur.

1. Shifting - my derailers need some adjusting but thats onyl part of the issue. Maybe I am not quite used to it, but shifting is deinifntely easier on my mountain bike. Do road bikers just not shift nearly as much? I find myself having to switch gears on the front cog more than I EVER have had to on my mountain bike, is this normal for being on a road bike?

2. Braking - There was definitely a few times where I felt a little skiddish in situations where I needed to stop. Regardless if I was up on the hoods or down low, it doesnt seem like the levers are very easily reachable. I didnt even look if there was a reach adjustment yet, but I dont think adjusting the reach would even help all that much. Any pointers?

3. Bumps and terrain - Keep in mind, I have never been on a road bike prior to now. But I kinda felt like I was doing something wrong or the whole bike was going to fall to pieces even going over the small transitions at a road crossing for example at speed. Is it super easy to damage something going over small bumps like this, or am i just not used ot the fact that a road bike doesnt absorb anything?

On another note, dang.. some things are so effortless and fun on a road bike. It is a whole new perspective railing corners and being able to climb with such little effort.