Don't be silly. Being new and learning the sim is the most fun and enviable position there is.
Use as few corner corner cuts as possible for solid learning. Use maximum realism settings. No point learning everything twice. Use the manual. You don't have to read it cover to cover but reference it without hesitation. Look at the diagram for the
HOTAS, look at your joystick, decide for yourself how to connect the two. Adjust and build your controls over time. You will remember controls that are the result of your decisions much better than a pre-fab profile. Keep a default keybinds printout around to cover anything you have yet to set or learn to be done via joystick.
BLOCK ONE
Start up/ Shut down
Radios
Taxiing
Takeoff
Landings
Try doing a whole simple flight with the MFDs turned off. They aren't needed for a trip around the block and can be darn distracting. Even the HUD is a bit superfluous. It takes some reading of manuals and will be slow going. First start by the book might take 45 minutes or more. Be inquisitive with the procedure, try to find out why one does each step. All approaches should be boring, if they aren't then start farther away and get stabilized earlier. ATC is picky, figure out what they want you to, where, when, and in what order. Tune a radio, set a preset, use a preset.
BLOCK TWO
Master modes
GAU-8 gun attacks
CCIP BDU-33
DSMS inventory and profiles
Basic weapons before fancy stuff will enhance your understanding of both. Change loadouts on the ramp and manually inventory them. Make several profiles for the same type of bomb. Play with it. Figuring the DSMS out will save headaches later. Learn why "/M" profiles are the devil.
BLOCK THREE
Autopilot
CDU
Navigation
IFFCC
Learn to set the autopilot for a circle so you can look down. Exhaust the CDU, look at every page. Play with the entries. Copy a waypoint. Rename a waypoint. Enter coordinates for a waypoint. Enter MGRS coordinates. Change altitude. Try 3D nav. Try TO FROM vs TO TO. Make a flight plan. Change attributes for a waypoint. Change attributes for a flight plan waypoint. Try the yellow steering bars. Try the HSI. Use DTOT to arrive on time. Look at the IFFCC menu, see what's in there.
BLOCK FOUR
SOI
SPI
Two of the most commonly confused concepts. What's SOI? What sensors can be SOI? How can you change SOI (incl. alternate ways)? When does SOI matter, when does it not? What's SPI? What sensors can generate a SPI? What's the default SPI? How do you change SPI? When does SPI matter, when does it not?
BLOCK FIVE
CCRP
CCRP IAM
Mavericks
Rockets
Flares
Every other weapon should be easy once you know the DSMS and how to fire basic weapons. There are many ways to point Mavericks, try them all.
BLOCK SIX
TGP
LGBs
TAD / Datalink
Use all the features of the TGP, all cameras, all laser types, all track types. Change laser codes. Guide a laser-guided bomb with automatic lasing, manual lasing. See how sloppy you can be with release position and still guide the bomb. Try at low altitude, at high. Configure your own TAD display profile. Broadcast your SPI over datalink. Hook an object on the TAD. Make a TAD object your SPI. Send an attack message over the datalink.
BLOCK SEVEN
Countermeasures
RWR
Emergency equipment
Edit a countermeasure program, use manual, semi, auto. Turn on the jammer. Dispense flares. Set invincible and fly into radar threats, observe the RWR. Use the fire extinguisher handles. Try manual revision.
---
There's more of course but just take it subject by subject and build your knowledge. Look up everything, be patient, play with the systems. Have fun!