Prior to Kempo, I trained in boxing at a local gym and then at college. After about 4 years of training, I met a guy who trained me, outside of a class setting, in Muay Thai. I can remember my first time training in both boxing and MT. In boxing, I was extremely aggressive, trying for the knock out on every shot I took. All of the techniques I learned went out the door. My sparring partner was more experienced than I and, needless to say, I got my butt handed to me. During my first time sparring in Muay Thai, I was totally confused even though I had solid training and a bunch of ring experience in boxing. The angles that I was so used to exploiting while boxing changed alot when elbows, knees, and legs were added into the mix. Since I had much more ring experience in boxing, the Muay Thai training went out the door and, needless to say, I got my butt handed to me.
Both of my first time sparring experiences could have been better, I guess, but I felt I learned alot after each. Sometimes, the best way to learn is to jump in and experience it. Don't worry about making foolish mistakes because anyone going in for their first time will make foolish mistakes. Better to make them in the ring during training then during your first match or on the street.
Have fun