Develop reversal films, b+w or color. You will soon get serious about time, temperature and replenishment.
The nature of negative films is you can adjust for inconsistencies when you print. By keeping negative processing in control, time, temperature, and replenishment, it makes the printing process much easier. When I print I can use a prior session as a remarkably close starting point. If the magnification is the same the exposure times should be very close to the previous print.
Buy a Kodak Darkroom Dataguide, these are amazing little devices. Cost 10 bucks on Ebay, two decent inexpensive thermometers, cell phone for timing and datasheets.