You could try to remember it this way... The small ring in the front is mainly for going uphill. THe large one is mainly for downhill. And the middle one for flat areas. remember to shift to the smaller gears in the front early. I mean is shift to the smaller front gear when you are approaching that hill, not when you get part way up and are struggling. Usually when shifting the front requires an opposite shift in the back. example when shifting the front gear to a larger gear, shift the back to the next smaller gear. The result will be a slight decrease in the speed of your pedaling speed. Remember don't shift both at the same time. Do one gear first, then the second as the first shift is completing. And don't put a lot of pressure on the pedals when shifting. This can wear out your chain faster. Test it out in low traffic areas until you get used to it.