New player, read the guide on beginning the game, help?

[Salanmander]

The most important non-incrementable skills to get early are foraging, hunting, and lumberjacking.

The most important incrementable skill to increase early is exploration.

Edit: But really, the most important thing is exploring the game. Make your initial goal just building at least one of everything you can.

[Oskatat]

foraging, exploration points, fishing, survival points, lumberjacking. thats usually my order in the beginning. with some exploration and foraging you'll start finding roots. on raiding ant hills: do it NEAR WATER. when you start, make sure there is no ant between you and the water, as soon as they come to you, walk into the water untill it gets to deep, dont swim! never swim! the ants will sort of bounce off the water edge and wont bother you again