Absolute beginner - how should I study?

As the title says, I'm an absolute beginner with no training at all (except maybe some art classes in middle school).

My goal is to animate, similar to alan becker but also in every style i can i guess!! For now however, just animating stick figures is my goal.

In order to accomplish that however I feel like i should understand proportions, perspective and in general how to draw a basic figure, however I'm really unsure how to start!! I began drawing figure study, however when it gets to the longer times, I don't know what to add to make it better simplay because I don't know anything lol!

Any Youtube videos, roadmaps, tips, advice would be appreciated!! I'm a uni student with a lot of free time and I'm good with a rigorous schedule!!

This is a great question, but also a tricky one.

I started 3 years ago, so not to long ago. I would recommend to buy an online program or find a book to follow, this helped me more than any youtube videos.

You will soon learn that alot of people will tell you to learn the fundamentals. And they are going to be right. But I would recommend you to learn to see first.

This is why I recommend to read and learn from the book "Drawing with the right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards. (You can find the book free in pdf online)

Next there is the website drawabox, alot of newer artist try his program, its hard, but good, and free. And please do as I says, have fun also. Every beginner doesnt. I didnt and I almost burned out by the sheer volume he presents to you.

Then I took kesh art program, wich I liked. It simpel but covers alot. This just cost money.

Then there is 21draw, a great website for subscription based learning. So many great artists teach various courses in there. I also liked that site when I started out.

Then I can recommend aaron blaises creature teacher website. Professional animator who made brother bear. His courses are great and cheap.

I hope this helps. The reason why I am advertising not using youtube is that you need structure when starting out. And these websites will help you, and are some of the greater cheaper options.

Hope this helped you.

DON'T try croquis yet. You need to develop some basic skills first. Still life is good for studying. Draw boxes, lines, ect. Draw chairs, vases, flowers. Dont do anything complicated yet.
That's not to say you shouldn't draw people. In fact, do what you want! Just don't do 30sec figure drawings or whatever... Do things at a slow pace and don't rush yourself. Croquis is too much without having solid foundation first.
I recommend figure skaters or dancers for figure studies; you can really see the motion they have in their postures.

Tracing is also a way to learn. You can't trace and post that art as yours, but you can trace for purely learning purposes.
I used to copy a lot of things and follow youtube videos.
You do need to do basic exercises, like shading, perspective with boxes, line practice for steady lines....

One tip for lines: use your wrist for small lines and shoulder for long lines. With line practice you just make straight lines and elipses, often than not with your shoulders. Your shoulders move your whole arm and move your hand too. The reason you use your shoulders for longer lines is because your wrist will inevitably make a curved line. With shorter lines, its easier to avoid this issue of making curved lines.

Just learn what you can. And, most importantly, have fun! At your stage there are so many things you can learn its hard to specify!
Most importantly, go at a slow pace, as I already said. Don't burn yourself out!

Also when I was a beginner I used youtube alot... When you have the basics youtube is great. When you can make steady lines, draw boxes, use good observation skills youtube isn't bad. Just use what inspires and motivates you! Yes, I agree that you should avoid things that are too complicated or hard, but drawing from inspiration is something you should definitely do; you don't have to avoid drawing things because its hard. From time to time, its good to challenge yourself. Its just important not to burn yourself out.