1. Start with the basic farm if it's your first playthrough. Not a requirement, but a high recommendation since you're still early on. 2. Learn what you like to do most, and do that. Be it farming, fishing, or mining. 3. Go to bed before midnight, or it'll cut into your energy the next day. 4. Remember to socialize, and give gifts. Most people like daffodils, and other flowers. 5. Don't miss the saloon on a Friday night. (Or any night, if you don't have anything better to do) 6. Don't miss events, like the flower dance. Check the calendar often. If you're forgetting, I believe you can buy a calendar from Robin (the red-haired carpenter near the mines) which you can place in your house. 7. Watch TV every day. 8. Try to use all your energy every day, unless it's too late. 9. Plant potatoes for good spring profits, and eventually strawberries, sold at the first event in spring (egg hunt). Saving up for the event means you can afford more strawberry seeds. 10. Learn what people's dislikes and loves are. If somebody loves a gift, a heart will pop up above their head for a moment after you give it to them, and they'll have a happier face/dialogue. 11. don't die in the mine. Ditch if you're taking risks. 12. Once you get in the community center FOCUS IT. You'll need as much time as you can because you'll only have the tail end of spring to collect spring items for it. 13. Try to save gold star stuff, it'll help for an event in the future, and possibly the community center (parsnips, melons, corn, pumpkins). Gold star items also make better gifts and sell for higher. 14. Upgrade inventory quickly, and use chests to supplement. 15. You CANNOT put bait on the first fishing pole... god I wasted hours trying. 16. Have fun, do what (or who) you want. Stardew Valley can vary from peaceful to intense depending on your approach. I find it more fun to take the "I don't want to miss stuff" approach, which is very efficient. It allows for a fun, quick farm progression. If you take things too slow you may end up quitting before you get anywhere. I probably have more, but that's off the top of my head.