You can begin learning on your own if your academic level doesn't yet offer it. Check your local libraries for introductory chemistry books. I can't think of specific ones to suggest but there is a thread regarding this,
Good High School Chemistry Books, or perhaps you can ask the librarian(s) for suggestions.
Also you can try Khan Academy's
Chemistry section which starts off from the basics of "what is an atom" and goes from there. They are in video format and all
free. With an introductory chemistry book I think they will work well together.