Many say handicap is a different game. Something you need to study especially.
I don’t think so. It’s not a different game, not something like more complex in its specificity.
At reverse, handicap simplifies the game by giving you a way to win. It will give the weaker player the opportunity to win if you follow just basic understanding of using influence. It will teach you to not be a coward but still reasonably cautious.
Keep white in your boxes. Make your stones work together, let him live small while you get big.
That’s very different as an even game where you have less obvious constraints, more choices and where it’s easy to forget those fundamentals.
As long as you don’t commit yourself against the way handicap works, you’ll be able gradually to ameliorate your moves and climb the rating. It’s an extraordinary tool to progress and at the same time will offer some interest to the stronger.