When you say put some money into the stock market...do you actually mean that you want to learn to invest? There are bonds, property, commodities and derivative to chose from as well as other vehicles. Sometimes, stocks perform poorly for long periods, while other asset classes do well. Its great to start young, and my advice is not to limit your invesmtent universe to stocks. Other opportunities come up all the time. Read 'Tomorrows Gold' by Mark Faber, as a general overview of the investing universe. He also runs a superb website with an monthly newsletter that will educate you well over the years. Also read 'Extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds' by John McKay I think.
www.gloomboomdoom.com.
good luck
Bingo