try to learn you bearings in you backyard (or whereever you observe) as this will help tremendously. if you know where north, south, east, and west are from you observinf position then you will know which direction to look when you find something on your skychart. use a compass to get your bearings if you like.
use bright stars on you skychart as guide stars as they will be the easiest to see inthe sky and then starhop from there.
ps: get a skychart.
once you get to know some of the constellations it becomes easier