[humbleservant]

Any good general tips/hint/s or brief pointers someone could give a newbie?

[Jorriss]

Read your textbook and do problems?

It's generic advice but it's usually pretty good.

[someuser]

Any good general tips/hint/s or brief pointers someone could give a newbie?

I like to re-read my chemistry and math texts between semesters, practice problems, and try and interact with the topic via other interested people, my son, wife, and now this forum. I find trying to explain what I learned helps.

I'm also planning to set up a lab in my garage to practice and experiment.