Welding Tips and Tricks

I am in the middle of my second semester to earn my Associates in Applied Science in welding. Accidemicly I am doing great but in lab, I have a hard time keeping up with everyone else. I know everyone learns at a different pace and with different learning styles. I am a visual learner and I have improved my welds recently by looking up pictures of patterns like the ones I've attached. I have watched WeldTube and ChuckE2009 on YouTube and they helped a bit.
Like the title says I would like to know what you expirenced welders wish you knew when you started.
Also, any advice on;
1G or 2G- 1/2" carbon steel- 3/32" gap
MIG root/FLUX and cap-1/2" carbon steel- 1/8" gap

I can confirm that these welding patterns are quite widespread in Russia, that's the kind of weld line I've seen on the tanks and BMPs when I did my military service! I've cleaned them so often that the patterns are etched in my mind more than the patterns of my wife's lacey underwear