STOP F*CKIN EVERYTHING!!!
im trying to learn fast cuz im jealous of my friend getting ahead and making cool houses with secret gunrooms...
You can't map straight when you have vengeance in mind. It's like the dark side of mapping and it doesn't work. If there is any advice to give, this would be it.
SLOW DOWN AND TAKE YOUR TIME LEARNING
...and about carving, it's ok to use it but read about how to use it first. For starts, only carve blocks. Don't go into cylinders and pyramids and stuff like that. Also, learning the use of the Vertice Manipulation Tool (VM Tool) is vital for good mapping.
Read, Try Examples, Learn, Have fun.
Consider yourself lucky, when i started, i had no internet nor knowledge of tutorials or online resources. I mapped for a year before i joined twhl.
Good Luck and Have Fun!!!