Start with the notes, not round one
Check the pattern language, terminology, materials and finished size before buying supplies. US and UK crochet terms are not interchangeable: a US single crochet is called a double crochet in UK terminology. Use the terminology stated by the designer.
Look for a list of abbreviations. In US terminology, ch usually means chain, sc means single crochet, inc means increase and dec means decrease. Special stitches and decreases can vary, so the pattern’s own definitions take priority.
Read one repeat at a time
For a US-terminology example, “(sc, inc) × 6” usually asks you to work one single crochet, then an increase, and repeat that pair six times. If an increase is two stitches into one stitch, those repeats use 12 stitches from the previous round and produce 18 stitches.
Numbers in brackets at the end of a round often show the total stitch count. Check the designer’s key rather than assuming every set of brackets has the same meaning. Count before moving on, and use a marker to find the start of a continuous round.
Keep your first project manageable
Choose a project that matches the skills you already know. Small does not always mean easy: tiny pieces can be fiddly to hold and assemble. A clear materials list and photos of assembly are useful things to look for on a product page.
Keep a note of your current round. If your count is wrong, revisit the last repeat rather than adding random stitches to force the total. Before purchasing, check the exact language, file format and skill level included with the design.