Setting Yourself Up...

Remember, you dont have to be a professional computer user to be able to use programs such as Adobe's after effects. While it helps to be one, it shouldnt stop you from indulging yourself in the epic world of visual effects. Also, many great visual FX artists nowadays were self-taught. And a lot didnt have the the need to enter a film school or the likes...
If you're intending to pursuit a career in the aforementioned aspects, then you should put in mind that you need to teach yourself AT LEAST THE BASICS.
And nowadays its been made ever-much easier for us by this huge information heap called the internet.
And even if you're not going to pursuit a career in such things, at least inform yourself with info that would definitely help you a lot afterwards, whether in your career or your personal life.
Here is a list of programs that would start you up in a good way:

• Adobe's After effects (CS 6, current version)
• Autodesk 3Ds Max (2012-2013)
• Autodesk Maya  (2011-2013, No noticeable differences)
• Blender ( I stopped using it, for moral reasons :P)

Wait, what!? Now you're saying that I have to learn how to use a complicated 3D program!? 

Yes, but you dont need to right now; You better start up with using after effects then you'll have an incentive to use a 3D program, believe me, u will. 

And here is another tip: Learn Maya! You know why!? Because it really helped me, and whether you are going to use it in designing games or movies, this application gets the best of both worlds! It really pays off and thus i recommend it greatly.
Also, u might want to check out another program called Zbrush that allows you to sculpt models in real-time if you're not handy with modelling ...

Remember there are student versions available for Autodesk products, just create an autodesk an account and choose your educational status. Zbrush is the worth buying if you ask me, saves a lot of hassle.
All of these programs can be learned through watching tutorials, which are available on youtube.
You might also use the online manuals(and no, they're not wordy) of Autodesk Products to aid you in your learning process. Also, Zbrush has a forum or two along with the official website help material.

Don't worry if you are for any reason, you are unable to learn these, you can always settle for one thing; see what you go along with easier(try them) and the use them according to your needs. Learning the basics of after effects now is pretty sufficient, and remember cs 6 has enhanced 3D rendering functions, so you can do a lot more stuff in 3D now(nice, eh?)...