Once you're familiar with the controls, the best idea to get to grips with the game is to always deploy somewhere really busy. Either Military base or the School (middle building) or the high rise buildings next to the school. The more battle experience you get the better!. You're better off doing this 20 times in a row and dying quickly to start a new game. If you always pick somewhere quiet, you'll spend 20 mins looting, then get killed and gain no 'fighting' experience.
Get your hands dirty and enjoy
One tip..
Get your freefall speed to 234 when your chute is about to open and you'll drop an extra distance, getting you to the ground quicker. (dive down vertically)
Thanks for the tip! I just dove as fast as possible so I'll definitely try that.