I would say that you just don't understand the tools yet. Unless there was something wrong with the way you installed the software, it should be ready to go. Now, if you're using a pirated version, all bets are off.
As for tutorials or books, I haven't had a book since PS5, but there are good books and they're great for reference when google isn't useful. Adobe can be hard to follow, but still useful. I would wait and see what is recommended by users here.
I advocate lynda.com for users at any level. They have hours of very clear and easy to follow videos for each subject and level. Very useful. I signed up after using Photoshop (sporadically) for over ten years. They cost about $25 a month if you don't get their image files, $35 if you do. But even if you subscribe for one month, if you apply yourself in that time, you will be amazed at your advancement.
A student of PS must start with the basics. It may seem boring at first, but it won't be long till you're proficient enough to start using them for your own enjoyment. But if you don't know what each tool does and what the main menu items are all about (and don't worry about trying to learn those all at once -- big bite to chew), you may as well go use Paint in MS Office. Oh, not to dis your efforts at all, and not to say Paint doesn't have its virtues. But you will agree it ain't Photoshop, lol.
There are for instance, at least 4 selection tools and further tools for refining those selections. You'll want to know those for making renders, applying adjustments to selections, making layer copies or cuts of a selection, and so forth.
Good luck. You'll be fine. My 3 +1 P's of PS: practice, patience, perseverance, and play.
