Agree, but for me at start was absolutely frustrating where to start - how to make first steps - what is possible and how can I use it.
After some time I figured that best way is to explore library and look on presets. Yes there is a lot of waste (pattern) on busses and layers - in meaning that creators have some kind of template and sometimes template containing a lot of busses or effects contains in reality only one zone… but there is a lot of ideas.
Take a look on official videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCH4ai5_rjI&list=PL949415F7D1C3E4CC
And this tutorial helps me a lot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP8axFlaKR8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82rpYTr2oPw
My best practice:
- Find sound I like
- look at structure (consult manual about functions) and used elements (layer, )
- tweak and play
- have fun
Hope this helps. BTW one thing on university is always have manual 