I'm still pretty early on in the game. Any direction I go from Goodsprings generally ends with me being outmatched by something (Deathclaws, or those flying things). DOes anyone have advice as far as leveling and finding equipment and such? Or do I just svck?

The desert is a very dangerous place. Take it slow and easy...it's a long game and you'll get many hours of play out of it. If you got the hunting lesson, you'll get the rifle. Even if you didn't, you can go hunting for Geckos with the rifle and make a little money for starters by selling the hides. It'll grow from there. I'm playing on Normal and the enemies are tough but I'm trying to find better weapons...it'll happen.

If you do like the good Doc says at the beginning and talk to that girl with the dog you'll start a tutorial: you get a nice gun for doing the quests, as well as money and a couple levels. Then, go to the saloon and offer to the barkeep to repair her radio (25 repair), and then also check out the red schoolhouse in town (where you pick up those roots for the tutorial quest). After that, quests should lead you south to Primm. If you travel along the roads, apparently there are a lot less enemies.

Also, if you have the skill "guns", invest in the single-shot shotgun that I believe the merchant in town offers. It'll blow the head off of pretty much anything in the first couple towns.