I bought my '06 5 speed TDI before learning how to drive stick

My dad took me around our small town and back streets to practice. I killed mine several times before getting it right, still do occasionally. One trick my former boss gave me was clutch + gas = 100%, so all clutch no gas, all gas no clutch. At first to release the clutch, I drug my foot across the floor mat while easing down on the gas, there is a little ridge on the mat that my heel would catch on, so that made me go easy on the clutch.
PS my learning to drive tank was 36 mpg, I consistently get 41-42 mpg now (7 months later), I only have a 30 mile commute so it lowers my mpg a bit.