Hello Jason,
May I point you to this site?
http://avsim.com/geoffschool/combined/circuit.htm
Thanks for the VATSIM signature ID. Hope the above site helps you get more comfortable on VATSIM.
If you like Geoff Butler's style he has a full course available from A to Z.
I have flown for almost 3 years on VATSIM and cannot imagine any other type of flying. The GA population is really starting to increase which means more and more controllers are learning the proper techniques regarding VFR flight rules.
I recommend starting small with some VFR circuits at an airport that has a TWR controller. Let him know you are learning, and he will be happy to assist you. Don't do this at a major busy airport. But there are plenty of TWR controllers in the slower areas that are new to controlling and they welcome any traffic they can find.
GOOD LUCK !! See ya in the VATSIM Skies
Vince Carlo
P. S. I should add...make sure when you look for a controlled airport that the current weather (VATSIM) has VFR conditions
It's embarassing to file a VFR flight plan when visibility is half mile in rain and a 200 foot ceiling
May I recommend Arizona? The Phoenix airspace has a fantastic ARTCC (ZAB) and a wonderful GA field in Scotsdale (KSDL). Phoenix records something like 330 days a year of VFR weather (not bad)