Am I ready for RO RP‐1?

So, you've checked out the introduction and RO/RP-1 is sounding fun, but you aren't sure if you're ready for it yet. How much knowledge you should bring depends on your willingness to deal with a steep learning curve, but for a easier learning curve you should know at least two out of three of: KSP's UI, basic orbital mechanics, and basic rocket building; the UIs for some mods in the RO pack; and some of the challenges of real life rocketry.

1. KSP's UI, basic orbital mechanics, and basic rocket building: For this, the best way to learn is just to play stock or stockish KSP. Try out things like dockings, gravity assists, and reaching weird and specific orbits, look for tips and tricks online here and there, but mostly just have fun
2. The UIs for some mods in the RO pack: Just add these to a stockish install and play around with them. A recommended modlist is in the next section
3. Some of the challenges of real life rocketry: Scott Manley's "Things KSP Doesn't Teach" series and "Ignition!" by John D Clark are two good options for this, though many users end up learning this from playing the game for themselves and reading the wiki as they do so.

Recommended mods for learning RO without jumping right in:

Note that this list is just ideas for gradually increasing difficulty (or somewhat greatly increasing difficulty in the case of Principia or kOS) on top of more stock-like game behavior. Some of these mods are obviously not recommended with or strictly conflict with RO/RP-1/RSS and this is not a strict list of prerequisites. Since some of the suggestions conflict with each other you will have to read the mods forum threads and do a little research first to find a set of mods that work together and form an attractive challenge for yourself. Some of these mods have dependencies that aren't listed, but if you install them with CKAN (info), which you will need to use for RO as well, it will automatically handle that. (NOTE, MAYBE THIS SHOULD LINK TO THIS PAGE?)

AtmosphereAutopilot
B9 Aerospace Procedural Wings
Editor Extensions Redux
Ferram Aerospace Research Continued (FAR)
Galileo's Planet Pack (and other Kopernicus-based planet packs)
JNSQ Planet Pack (with Bluedog Design Bureau for more parts)
Kerbal Alarm Clock
Kerbalism Science
kOS (if you might use kOS in RO/RP-1)
MandatoryRCS
Mechjeb 2
Principia (if you might use Principia in RO/RP-1)
Procedural Fairings
RCS Build Aid
Real Solar System with SMURFF (to only fix mass fractions for realism)
Sigma Dimensions and Rescale (2.7x rescale and BDB parts or 6.4x-10x and SMURFF)
Transfer Window Planner Fork