try to make a good recording without compression first.
it is pretty easy, try it until you get it.
you can make an excellent hit record without any compressor.
it's much easier to set a compressor when you know WHEN and WHY you need it, and HOW it works internally.
you'll never learn the WHEN and WHY when you compress everything from the start. start with manual compression riding the faders or using volume automation, that will help you to understand the process (a compressor is nothing else than an automated gain fader).
anyway, the HOW is all written in the manual (usually F1).