Cool,
Here's what I would do - feel free to pick and choose or completely ignore:
Create a handful of different VLANs. Get DHCP working for hosts needing dynamic addresses. Create a loop (say, plug a cable into 2 different ports ) and break your network. Configure spanning tree so it doesn't happen again. Create some layer 3 addresses and configure some static routes. Does a 2524 support a dynamic routing protocol like RIP?
Have a play with tagged and untagged ports and see how these relate to "access port" and "trunk port" in Cisco terminology.
Get NTP working so that your logs have the correct timestamp. Forward your syslogs to your log aggregator PC. Configure SNMP report any issues
Linux PC (or VM) or a Raspberry pi is a useful tool for network admins of all ages and experiences. Linus can also run Quagga routing stack and can do all kinds of automated tasks on the LAN.
Pick up a null modem cable and a USB-Serial adapter for a few $$ on ebay so that you can plug in and do the initial config tasks.
Two switches are always better than one - with 2 switches you can do aggregated physical links and "multi-vlan" trunk links - even better if it a differnet Hp switch (comware?) or a different vendor entirely so that you learn inter-operability.
Let us know how you get on.
Thanks
Ian