Toe your pads in. It can make a world of a difference. This is to say that you want the front of the pad to touch before the rear of the pad. I usually loosen the bold holding the pad on and put some spacer between the trialling edge and the rim [cardboard], clamp down the brakes and tighten the brake pad bolt. Check and repeat if it doesn't seem the leading edge hits the rim first.

Good job so far, sounds like you have learning lots. Next time you ride it try something for me, get going at a comfortable speed and lift your hands a few inches off the bars without changing the position of your body. Can you do it? If not