just enjoy the game do not worry too much about messing up a toon.. i write guides myself but i only feel confident about writing guides because i have spent hundreds of hours (if not thousands) in this game.. learn what stats do and what stats you need to wear certain items.. learn what items boost what skills.. try every skill available to you just so you could have a feel of how that skill works.. have an open mind and do not just say "this skill is bad" or "this skill is better than that skill".. understand that all skills have their pros and cons and they each have their uses.. try every skill you have first then pick a skill you like and think how it synergizes with other skills, then use it hundreds of times and see how you can make it better.. nothing beats trying it yourself.. a good example is squall, we can only say it's a good skill but it's up to the player to feel how it benefits him/her best and where to place it.. after that, try the bad ones and see how you can make them good