I'm going to contradict (or modify) other people's statements....

All kits consist of two important parts, and both are really simple... (get in to the right frame of mind).

Part 1 - the wood, hardward, etc.
Part 2 - the paperwork.

Now, unfortunately, kits are just like most things in life - to succeed, you have to do the paperwork first.
So, take the inventory list, and make sure that all parts are present.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
....
get my drift?
...
then, read the manual.

Then, decide whether you want to build the plane with special options (rubber-band or bolt-on wing, tail-dragger, or tricivle, etc).
Then, make sure you have the tools, sand-paper, and glues you need.

Finally, re-read the manual. Did I say that already?

Finally, get some wax-paper, and get gluing. Test every joint without glue before you try them WITH glue.

Get a fan that is big enough to create a "draft" over the work-bench, but not that strong that it ruffle the plans, and manual (need this to keep the CA vapour from your eyes, and the balsa dust from your throat).

Get a flat building surface (the flatter the better).\, clothes pegs, "T" pins, and a bunch of strong-and-big elastic bands (work fantastically as clamps).

gus