hey tristan,
I know where you're coming from, when I finished school I got my kit and went to Norway, I slept somewhere else (in my tent) every night for two months. I had the time of my life but eventually called it a day because winter came round and it was too wet and cold to really sustain for long. It sounds like you intend to have a permanent shelter and stay in one area, which means you'll hopefully be dry and not have to carry wet gear everywhere, and be wet and cold the whole time. It also means you can boil your cottons to clean them, its straightforward and it works, no soap, but things like the elastic in underwear might wear quicker. (on that note, anyone know if Ventile can be boiled safely?)
My advice would be to get as much experience relevant to your trip first, there's a lot of things you want to learn before you go, rather than when you're there.
Of course you can't know everything you need to know before you go, part of the enjoyment is learning as you go along; but you say you're inexperienced in your intro, in which case I'd say cram as much experience between now and when you go. You'll be living through all manner of circumstances, so I'd suggest when ' practicing ' not only to head off when the sun is shining and berries are in season etc., (but of course, dont put yourself at risk.)
what type of circumstances you intend to live, as in, are you looking to live in an existing structure or build you own, do you intend to hunt? fish? (legally?) or are you going to head into civilization to resupply?
Lastly, I'd say don't rush anything... (ever?)
quite a mouthful for my second post on BCUK