Getting started in Quake is like lighting up your first cigarette: an unusual, if not frightening experience at first that thrills you and makes you want more, even though you know, in your heart of hearts, that you probably shouldn't want any more of it....
There are several things that you will need in your quest to slay your enemies. First among them is music. Whatever gets your blood pumping, your adrenaline running, and your eyes glazed, that's what you use! You need to be absolutely riveted!. Personally, I think that the tunes provided with the game by Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) are very good, and keep up the mood. However, anything gets old, even Trent. Try some Ministry, Godsmack, Powerman 5000 or other harder edged rock. It works rather well, methinks.
Most of us college students are afflicted with that terrible disease known as "roommate." If you've got one, you will most likely need a pair of headphones. I highly reccomend it, especially if you're a fan of deafness (I'm headed that way myself). Pop 'em on and let the good times roll!!!
Unfortunately, without some idea as to what this game is about, those good times won't last long. Multi-player Quake is a very intense game, but I'll dampen the mood by explaining the means by which you can play other people. You can directly dial up to their computer, via a modem. You can set up a LAN (Local Area Network) Party, in which people within your network alone can play. You can also set up a TCP/IP server, which can be accessed by anyone on the internet (unless you set it up to require a password). This is the most commonly used technique, as the most people can use it.