Beginning Chopin's no. 2 sonata - advice?

[celticqt]

My teacher just assigned me this amazing piece.  I know it's a tough one, so I was wondering if any of you have advice for me as I begin it. 

What pitfalls should I avoid?  Any specific spot I should learn first? How was your experience with this piece? 

I've ordered the music online but haven't received it yet.  Thanks in advance for your input!

[kriskicksass]

The best advice I can give is to get the Polish National Edition edited by Ekier (kind of a moot point since you already ordered, but oh well), and to seriously consider the fingerings that they give. The fingerings in that edition are simply the best Chopin fingerings I've ever seen (other than ones that are made specifically for your hands).

Are you planning on learning the whole thing? If you are, you might consider learning the Scherzo movement first. I don't play the piece, so I don't know first hand, but it looks to me like that would be the scariest movement to play, and I always find it helpful to learn the hardest movement of a sonata first.