Tips for beginners who want to play Human (survivor) characters:

• All characters have a much easier time after they learn the Free Running skill. Whatever their class. Try to find someone who wishes they had bought some other skill instead of Free Running. Good Luck in finding any.
• Always enter a building before searching for objects, as well as before logging off. "Sleeping" outside any buildings is very dangerous.
• The 3x3 map indicates which buildings have their lights on (due to portable generators with fuel). Lighted buildings are much better for finding useful items. However, they also attract zombies, so don't stay inside for long if you can help it.
• Learn about barricades. Construction is probably the second most important skill, right after Free Running. Quite often it will be the only thing allowing you to stop zombies from breaching inside your refuge; on the other hand, overbarricading is a major problem and a hazzard for beggining characters (until they get Free Running, at least).
• Use your contacts list. Color-code them according to their degree of cooperation.
• Gaining XP is vital, but may be difficult at first. The two easiest ways of earning them are books and First Aid Kits (FAKs). Enter inside a Library or a Hospital, search until you find them, use them often. FAKs only earn XP when used in other people (not on yourself, although you'll definitely want to do that too) and are a bit more useful after you get Diagnosis.
• FAKs are probably the most useful and demanded item of all. If at all possible, always have at least a couple with you. Use at least one without even thinking about it whenever you get infected by a zombie attack or whenever your HP are 24 or less.