Here are a few simple tips to help you on your way to observing the stars:
1) It takes your eyes a while to get adjusted to the light (or lack thereof) when you are out looking at stars. After about 20-30 minutes you will start seeing stars that you could not see when you first went out.
2) Going hand-in-hand with item 1 is the use of a red light filter. If you need to use light to find something (or look at a star chart) use a red light filter. Red light will not shock your eyes as much. If you use regular white light then you will have to wait another 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust again.
3) Avoid light pollution if you can. Light pollution is most noticeable by any type of city. Light pollution is when all the lights from the city drown out the fainter stars in the sky. The ideal place to look for stars is as far away from any light source as possible. You can't always avoid the city lights, however, so just remember that you will only be able to see some of the brighter stars in the sky.
4) Try to find an area without many buildings or trees around it. Sometimes the best constellations to view are close to the horizon. Trees and buildings will often block your view of these constellations.
5) To help you find those stars in the sky, remember this tip. Hold your arm straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground, and make a fist (palm facing left with the right hand or right with the left hand.) This is approximately ten degrees above the horizon. Now make a fist with your other hand and place it on top of your first fist. This is about 20 degrees above the horizon. Also, if you hold your arm straight out and raise your pinky up, your pinky covers about ½ of a degree of sky.