If, by shadowing, you mean sit in on some classes then yes its a good idea.
Some people like myself learn better when given the hands on approach watching someone do something I learn faster that way than having to sit around reading instructions. I remember learning how to play chess in the 6th grade everyone in the class was playing and I had absolutely no idea what anything did, and no one would teach me so after watching a few dozen games I pretty much learned it just by watching.