I've been playing for 10 1/2 years, and at the end of the day, experience isn't quite something I've really worried about, nor should you. I'll say just be yourself, play in the way / style that you know how......don't force yourself into a way you don't feel you can pull off, and just have fun with RPing. That's something that's seemed to slip through the cracks the past few years.....and hopefully it'll start making a return to players' minds when it comes to roleplay. Taking things too seriously or doing things that push your limits or patience will only make it less fun and more frustrating.
Hopefully you do make more friends here. That's partly what I'm here for as well as the RP, as well as to be playing among actual adults. I've lost too many places to count due to corporate greed, completely immature people who probably shouldn't be on the Internet in the first place, or sick little bastards who scam people and prey on the naive.
Enjoy yourself here and good luck finding folks who'll let you indulge in your most deepest cravings.