I think you can use it. The best way to find out is to use a "sandbox" database (or something you can mess up and it won't matter), and TRY it.

When I was where you are (not that long ago, actually), I just tried a bunch of things to see how SQL Server was like/unlike other database software I had used before. Sounds simplistic, but the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty. Definitely a good reason to download the MSI for one of the Microsoft canned databases. You can examine, use and abuse the thing and then when it breaks either fix it (if you're good enough), or just restore from the backup. -- which is a great skill to have anyway.

If you have never gotten into that, Grant Fritchey has a great video on YouTube where he walks you through the whole thing.