i hear many good things from co-workers

i've only played CoD games

should i get BF3 today?

Sure, go for it..

of course you should
bf3 is 10000000 times better than cod

dont buy it used because it has online pass
i would also get bf3 premium edition(comes with all dlcs)

i did buy it used
but i have an online pass on the receipt

can i still play multiplayer with this?

If you have an online pass then yes I would assume you should be able to play the game online.

so ive played 4 games

random game modes/maps

obviously quite different from CoD

any beginner tips?

i find myself camping a lot, is this of the norm?

No, it's not normal... only scared little COD kids camp.
I have over 900 hours into BF3 and i can honestly admit, i hardly ever run into campers... unless they're a low level and they're just scared to die.

Just run around, learn the maps.. die a bunch of times.. get used to the guns and then you wont be so bad at the game.

Use the Assault class with the M16a3 and 93R <-- you have to unlock the 93r in Co-Op

play team deathmath so you get used to get guns

Math, lol.

I recommend playing the big maps... on conquest.
That way you don't die every 20 seconds and you get some time to run around and get used to the weapons and maps... and someone isn't sticking a gun in your face all the time.
.. but that's just my advice.

hes on my flist ive been putting him through a trial by fire ^^ tdm noshar canals follow me lets go lol