As a fellow Bitcoin newbie
My advice to you very simple. Firstly you should be alert when investing in certain ICOs and lastly this one is very important RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH.
If you see a project with potential make sure to research it before investing, if there is new and interesting Consensus algorithm research it because there always new and exciting things to learn in Crypto World.
Once you entered the Crypto World you become a life student just be willing to learn.