Welcome to the board, a lot of us here are beginners and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here. I have found everyone to be very helpful and kind.
In answer to your question, I like to put a starter scrap through the machine and run my small piece close in behind it. I get a better start that way, it is almost makes it like a larger piece of fabric. I also use a wooden shish kabob skewer to help guide pieces through and find I can hold down the fabric with it and that helps keep the seams straighter, too.