• Do not do collection quests AT ALL unless they're both easy and lead to another series of quests or great loot.
  • If on a PVP server, skip the following zones completely: Hillsbrad, STV, Arathi, Badlands (unless alliance), Tanaris, Alterac Mountains. You can possibly do some quests here but the ganking can get really stupid in these zones. Up to you.
  • DO NOT let your quests turn green! Always keep an eye on your quest log and turn in the lowest level quests FIRST! If everything is green and has been for a while, forget 'em and move to the next zone.
  • Spec whatever you like until 20, then spec balance. Train Starfire. Pwn stuff. Smile often.
  • If you don't have a sugar-daddy to spot you training costs, just train your damage spells, travel form, oomkin form and PVP utility spells. Don't bother with anything else. Don't waste money on a mount at 30. It isn't THAT big of a deal.
  • Wear +sta/+spirit/+int leather or cloth, in that order. INT is good but you'll rarely be standing around spamming spells for long enough that a deep mana pool matters. Spirit DOES matter in helping you regen between one-shotting mobs.
I'm sure there's more but I'm in a meeting and tired. :P