What Smoothie said and...

Keep your head up and your eyes up the field. If you fixate on the wheel in front of you you'll miss things up ahead that could save you from crashing or get you chucked of the back.

And don't be afraid to go up front and take some wind from time to time. You won't die, honest. If you're leading you control the pace and there's zero nobility in wheelsucking in an entry level event. Heck, attack a few times and see if folks come with you in a break. It's the best way to learn how to race and it's fun.