Popping my cherry

[scotty34]

First of all, I will state that I have never traded stocks myself before. This is a field that I may be interested in, and I think I would like to give it a shot. I am currently 19 years old, live in Canada, and am taking my 2nd year of a Commerce degree in school. Some basic accounting and economic classes are about the extent of my knowledge of the stock market.

Being as I know next to nothing, I would like to make my first shot with a small amount of money ($300-$500 to start with, if that's possible to do). I would be comfortable losing this amount of money.

I would like to ask here for any tips, links, ideas etc. on how to get started. What would be the best place to get started - is there any online site that would allow me to trade using such small amounts with reasonable fees? Being as I really don't know much, how great of a chance is there that I lose this money quickly? Any other possible advice is appreciated, or direct me to previous posts covering the same topic.

Much appreciated.