I'm fresh; which path should be taken first?

Well; I'm sure you've seen those 'hi, im new 2 modeling can u help me plz' posts, and I can assure you this is probably going to be the same. Anyways, I've been wanting to model for a few years, but it hasn't become a major interest to me until recently, when I got my hands on a copy of 3D Studio Max 5 from a friend. I just installed the program and I have no idea where to begin. Sure, there are a ton tutorials online and everything, but I'd like to get recommendations from some well-seasoned modelers. What was the first modeling-related work of yours, and would you recommend it to me to begin on? If not, then what?

Thanks;
Vedath.

Always and ALWAYS when you just got your hands on a software READ IT'S DOCUMENTATION AND TUTORIALS. I can see no better start. I started max 5 by doing the tutorials included until I got bored and started exploring on my own and browse tutorials on the net.
And my first modeling-related work besides the ones from tutorials was this. But I would not recommend jumping on to a high poly model like that when you're a freshman, 'cause you'll make tons of mistakes (like I did) and you think it will look cool but it's actually horrible (more in topology than looks, but looks too) and you will continue on with the same screwed method. So just follow the tutorials from max and if you have any questions post them here:
http://www.wc3campaigns.net/showthread.php?t=90811

Oh and if you ever happen to have any requests for something...never post them in this forum, do it in the artist's discussion and queries forum 'else I'll spank you.

Depends on what do you plan to do. Special effects? Character models? Static doodads?

Whatever of those you want to do, you must read the basics tutorials first.

Thanks. I'll jump on the tutorials. By the way Nasrudin, I'm trying to make character models. So I suppose I'll have to look into modeling a human body/character WAY later in the game.