I think you're making the responsible choice. Nothing can educate you better than time and hands-on experience. Obviously I'm comparing apples and oranges here but...
A doctor goes to school for something like 100 years...then they do a residency....before being ready to be a doctor. All the books in the world can't teach experience.
I cook for a living. You can't just read a few cookbooks and hop on a line and be a chef.
My points are, there are reasons that pretty much any job, career, even a 6 year old has to go to dance class for months before getting on stage for a recital.
Take your time and enjoy these amazing animals. They're great pets, enjoy them.