Hey, I'm trying to do the same thing! (Earn a whole bitcoin without purchasing it).
I know its probably much more efficient to just buy one, but I don't know which exchanges to trust and I feel kind of uncomfortable linking my bank account to them.
First I wish you luck, I think you choose a good way. It will be hard don't doubt in that, in beginning 1 bitcoin will be very far from you and your steps will be small. But with time you will learn things and your steps will grow bigger.
Second is to be careful, don't chase to big prizes. Sometimes things that looks to good to be truth are really scams. Don't waste your money on that.
Try to visit forum a lot, read what some smart people have to say ( I do that everyday), inform yourself and think every next step carefully.