I'm getting helldivers finally, what are some tips you guys wished you knew at the start?

I have been stuck on an old ps4 for years now and I'm finally getting a ps5 tomorrow. Helldivers is going to be the first game I'm buying. What are some things i should avoid or some things i should focus on? for example, I really want to try out that ballistic shield stratagem, but is it actually any good? I know bots vs. bugs have different gameplay styles and im thinking i wanna fight bots so what are some effective tactics for bot fighting?