If you just ride around with them for awhile, then you won't even think about it. It takes a range of times to over come looking down to get in or forgetting to get out but eventually you are just an old hat at it and never even think about it. They are called toe clips if you didn't know. I think it took me all of 2 or 3 months and I was totally with out thought of the pedal or toe clip, it was just starting and stopping as if I was using flats. I think one would benefit from going though this. Mind you I was/am a life long bike rider. Times will vary.
The one thing I will warn you of. Once you get used to it, it is easy at first to forget about them altogether and you don't pull out and fall over. Good luck on that, but it will pass in time as well.