Make sure to check out Education for all your REI learning.

I'm a complete newbie, I hope to expand my real estate education by reading books and connecting with successful investors and of course using Biggerpockets!

It's great that you want to  be a professional, but that will require a real education, acting in a professional manner, legally and ethically.

Nick M.Couple good reads 9 Reasons You Couldn't Find A Buyer For Your Wholesale Deal Don't Start Wholesaling Until You Read This: Wholesale Advice from a Fix and Flipper How to Start Wholesaling: Getting Past The Education and Into the FieldUltimate Guide to wholesalinghttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/Sometimes niche or specialized housing like student housing can work on areas like NYC.Paul

I myself continue to educate myself even from "newbies" Never stop learning and once you have a clear image of what you want to do, everything else will start coming into place.

I am still learning and it's great to earn while I am getting my education in this business.

But I don't want to rely on others more than I have to - I want to learn and educate myself as much as possible.- How quick is too quick?

That being said, educating yourself and understanding what your goals are are key.  

Getting educated would be the best way to start.

I was on the fence about it for awhile, but I definitely want to keep educating myself in Real Estate.