Here are few tips for new rider:
1. take the MSF course, and pay attention
2. Invest in comfortable gear. You can find inexpensive helmets that protect just fine, but, they also are uncomfortable. This means you won't ride as much. The same goes for jackets, pants, boots, and gloves.
3. Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with. If you aren't comfortable with the idea of highway speeds, don't get on the highway. I got used to highway speeds with early morning rides on lesser used 4 lane roads with no traffic.
4. avoid riding with groups over 3 other people for a while.
5. Get used to everyone on the whole
road being on their goddamn cell phones and not paying attention. You're already a harder to see object. Mixed with phones and you're invisible. Frankly, I can't wait for my state to enact distracted driving laws.