i'm planning on studying culinary arts eventually, does anyone have any cooking tips that they'd wish they'd known earlier?

DO. NOT. CHEAP. OUT. ON. YOUR. KNIVES. Get the absolute best basic set of knives you can afford, and build on them as you go. That will be the best investment you will ever give yourself. 

Get a cut-resistant glove.  After spending $50 at Urgent Care after my knife slipped and took off part of my thumbnail, I highly recommend it.

Not really, the learning experience is what made it interesting. 

My step-daughter-in-law got her Certificate in baking. Found that only part-time employment was available and you had to go SO fast, that it was no fun.

So then she got her Certificate in culinary arts and found the same thing.

Finally, she went to university, got a degree in Archeology, and got a job training to be an insurance adjustor after she graduated. She now earns very good money.

Biggest tip I can give is don't incur debt.