Skill set- as a new diver, I don’t know what I don’t know. It is a little overwhelming reading the boards here and feeling a little stupid. What are some of the most important skills a new diver should develop? What should I practice every dive? How to I become a good diver? Tips, advice and words of wisdom are all welcome.
I'll give you the same advice I give my OW students:
1. Be careful whom you listen to. One of the most important skills you can develop as a new diver is to learn to recognize the difference between the people that know what they're talking about and those that just like to hear themselves talk. And I'm not referring to advice here on SB... I'm talking about the people you meet while diving. The least knowledgeable people will generally be the most willing to give you unsolicited advice, most likely to be very loud and boastful about it, and be a bit too overly insistent that you do things their way. Anyone that tries to sell you their credentials by telling you how many dives they have... big red flag (regardless of how many dives they have.) The most useful advice will come from the experienced divers who observe quietly, let you do your thing, and then ask "you mind if I offer some advice?" Always take them up on it, the advice will be useful.
2. Dive guides are not exempt from Point 1. Some of them are great, really know their stuff, and can really offer useful advice. Ask them questions if you're comfortable with them. Some dive guides are still relatively inexperienced... use Point 1 to help you evaluate.
3. But always listen to the captain and crew when on their boat.
4. Go diving, and don't worry about developing skills. Just be sure to enjoy the dive. Skill development will happen gradually and naturally as you gain experience. If you have decent buoyancy control, you're all set. If you feel compelled to work on something, work on your buoyancy... but have fun with it. I like to goof off on drift dives by hovering vertical and inverted (fins toward the surface, head toward the bottom). Pay close attention to how your breathing affects your buoyancy and use that to amuse yourself. But don't spend your time worrying or working too hard.
5. Equipment: you're doing it right. Wetsuit, mask, dive computer first. I would even include fins. When I go to warm water, I sometimes bring my reg and bcd, sometimes leave them at home. Those are the easiest two things to rent. But wetsuit, mask, fins need to fit just right. And your computer has your personal dive info in it.You should also know everything about how to use your computer. For this reason, I prefer a wrist computer over a console. A console computer has it's advantages, but the main disadvantage is that it's attached to your regulator. When evaluating dive computers, know that the basic models (~$300 range) will do everything you need it to... kind of like cars. If you get into the midrange or most expensive computers (~$500 to $2000) just know you're paying for options and name... again, just like cars. Make sure you know what options you're buying, and be sure to decide what those options are worth to you. Just like with cars, the ~$300 models do everything you'll need while diving.
6. Practice every dive: DIVE PLANNING. It's the one essential thing that is ignored by most people most of the time. PADI started distributing a plastic DIve Planning Slate with their OW course back around 2013. I use it with every dive with my students and strongly encourage them to use it with every dive after the class. It has a nice checklist and not only does it ensure that you discuss the items on the list with your buddy, but it gets both of you thinking about how the dive should go and what you hope to accomplish. This helps during the dive also, because if your mind is already primed with a plan you'll be quicker to recognize when something is not going according to plan... and you'll be quicker to correct it.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to send more questions on SB here; I don't think you'll be able to find as great a concentration of scuba knowledge and experience anywhere in the world. The amount of advice you get can seem overwhelming, but just remember to take it slow... and enjoy your dives.