Looking for some help

Im new to SSFIV. I cant land combos together that often and i can pull off half my supers. I just got a stick so im pretty horrible. I stick in practice and trial modes try to improve my game. Is this the right way to do it or is there something different. If so, can you guys let me know on how i should do it? I know there is a lot of threads around like this but im asking if there is any tips simply to improve my game. Ive looked up FADC and plinking and all that stuff. I just want to know if anyone whom has started at the bottom and now is up there how did they get there? Please any information will help and i will greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot guys.