Believe me it'll be a lot easier if you go to full topper.I'm a noob too and i had a lot of thick long hair left (was about NW 3).I went the partial route as,like you,I was nervous about shaving it all off,But it was such a hassle and I never got the partials to match my existing hair in terms of texture and movement.

So,after only a week I finally mustered the courage to shave.Except for the intial shock of seeing myself bald for the first time,things have been great so far...much much easier and less time consuming this way. I finally get to look great again without having to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to hide my balding temples.

Good luck!