Thanks so much to everybody that has replied to this thread, I have been quite nervous about everything but all of the suggestions and resources given have made have been very helpful.

I talked to my DM (GM?) and explained my problem a little bit better, they agreed to sit down when we get together next to explain some of the character creation aspects, and also run-through making a character to use for the campaign. (and they also explained that we're playing 5e edition.)