Yes Buffalo, always good to see someone getting into Prey!
The combat isn't necessarily the strongest point of the game, in terms of comparison to genuine FPS/shooter games where that element of the gameplay is the be-all and end-all of the experience, but it has huge scope for experimentation, improvisation and cascading effects that those other games don't support so I think it's very enjoyable in its own way! A key thing to remember is that you are a single, relatively weak human up against a station full of powerful aliens that - certainly at the beginning of the game - have you very much outgunned. You need to think of ways to tip the balance in your favour through using the environment to your advantage, using stealth to avoid combat, using tools in unexpected ways etc.
Fabrication and Volunteer Quarters are both relatively small areas that you get sent to for a couple of side quest activities, but as with everything in this game it's always useful to explore areas at your own pace and not just because some quest is sending you there! Often you will find useful upgrades or items, or maybe codes for other areas which will help you out, or fabrication plans that will allow to craft things that give you the upper hand etc. Exploration is usually a good idea basically!