SLOW! Is it just me? What am I doing wrong/

Im a first time user when it comes to the pre paid phoines. And also not helping is I have been using an IOS Apple for the pawt 4-6 years('I think'). Either way got phone from friend and switched my long time # from us cellular over to straight btalk. let me say that I once thought molasses in January was slow. So please give me a couple quick pointers.....