Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
haha, you should check out the VGC subforum to learn some tips!
One more thing, how has the mentorship program helped you? did it help at all? do you think you transitioned into the community faster because of it? what would you like from us?
And the community is so wonderful here, I've gotten pokemon that would be impossible for me to obtain otherwise. Like 3 6 iv dittos of varying natures one of which is a cloned shiny..
I got a hidden ability piplup, chimchar, treecko, mudkip (I know the ha is useless but hey, it's rare), and multiple other rare/impossible for me to get pokemon.