What exactly is APR as far as credit cards, and what does it mean?

Anytime you see the APR (annual percentage rate) that is the rate you pay with interest. You can get a card with no annual fee. Since this is your first credit card you might have a higher interest rate, but pay off your balance every month and then in a year call the company and ask them to lower the rate if they say they can't then tell them you are going to switch to another credit card - the will most likely lower the rate.