TIPS
One of the first tips I'll post is this: Your layout. Go to: window-->arrange---> dual screen editing. (this is assuming you have a 2 screen set up. It should look like this:
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| Left Screen |
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Right Screen
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The Left screen is your viewer and canvas with your timeline. This gives you plenty of space to get in there and really see what you're doin. The right screen is your bin with all your clips.