Perl is a high-powered language with many, many features. It will take you a while to learn all of it. Don't be put off if you only program in Baby Perl, as Larry Wall calls it. Advance features can be learn after you're comfortable with the basics.
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. We all were dumb once. So, sign up now for the beginners mailing list. Even if you don't have a question, you can learn a lot from other people's questions and their answers.
Comment on Re: What should you know before you start to learn Perl?
For Perl in general, and the Monastery (especially SOPW) in particular, learn how to ask questions effectively. There is no such thing as a dumb question, but plenty of ways to ask in a dumb way.
We all started somewhere, and this medium is one of the friendliest and most responsive ones I have stumbled onto (into?) - but don't expect people to do your (home)work, or think for you.