I've been using Photoshop since version 2.0 (circa 1989-92 nahahalata ang edad hehehe). Pare-pareho lang lahat ng version nag-iimprove, dumadali, dumadami ang presets habang tumataas ang version.
Ang advice ko sayo, Practice on a true project (like the ones requested here at espiya) Mga B-day ng kapitbahay, binyag, patay. At first huwag ka munang maningil (lalo na pag di ka pa magaling) develop a style. Okay yung mga tutorial, but learn to apply the tutorials you've learned on something that will be used hindi yung hangang monitor lang. Try to observe layouts, try to mix colors huwag puro sfx. And last but not the least, pareho din sa Environment "Ang basurang itinapon mo, babalik din sayo"