Hey Shadon,
This last weekend I also went to a park to learn how to change gears. Since my bike is an old Raleigh CyclePro model, the shifters are not on the handlebars. So, in addition to learning how to shift I had to learn how to balance myself while shifting. It was my 5 or 6 ride so I am still very very new to cycling, but I feel that after couple of hourse practicing on small hills it becomes very familiar. So just like everybody here says : Practice , practice , practice.

Good luck with everything.