I'd recommend doing a good deal of ground work beforehand using a training aid like RANT on your computer. It will save you literally hundreds of pounds in the air.
I would suggest getting RANT, but do an hour of NDB training in the a/c before starting in earnest with it. The way you have to fly does not come across well in tutotials and you only really understand what you are trying to acheive once you have been shown. Uninitiated practice will probably just lead to more confusion in the air... honestly.
I agree, start training now. This Summer is so crappy that you will probably be in real IMC for much of the time too! I did mine in May/June and of the 16 hours training, about 9 were in IMC. Invaluable!