RE: ARF then Kit, or straight to Kit?
Heli Rod gives good advice. Take your time and enjoy the building process. The way the kit goes together, there are several discreet steps that make good intermediate goals. The payoff is quick, as you build the wings first.
Even taking your time, pinning everything and checking for square before gluing, you'll find you have your first wing half done in a few hours. The second wing half goes even quicker. The longest part of building the fuse is waiting for the glue to dry on the doublers. You get it all dry fit with rubber bands in no time, and then go back and glue it together.
These steps can go by quickly, but slow down and enjoy them. Take a good look before applying glue, and think through to the next step to make sure you don't have anything backwards. I am impressed by those who document their builds in photos, mine went so fast, I never took a single picture.
Good luck.