Learn the basics, read some books, watch videos and livestreams, and find someone in real life to talk about poker with. Above all, forget playing at the play money tables for practice. Every once in awhile I'll hear someone say, "I've been crushing the play money so I'm getting ready to make a first deposit!" The play money is nothing like playing for real cash. When people have no stake in the winnings then they just aren't going to play the same.
Freerolls are the same way; at least during the first hours or two. After 2 hours have passed in a freeroll tourney you start to get some more serious people who actually care about the outcome even though they have $0 invested.