Level vigor. You level your weapon first, your character second (when in doubt: smithing stones over runes). Roll into or past enemies, not backwards in a straight line. If you die multiple times to the same enemy/group of enemies go back and take your time to grind and level with a group of enemies you can best more often than not. When you catch yourself running away from mobs regularly, you are probably under leveled. Talk to everyone multiple times (this one didn’t came naturally for me and literally wrecked the fun I had during my first run).

Specific Elden Ring tips I have given other first timers: Avoid Caelid for as long as possible (easily until after Liurnia and House Caria). Go to the weeping peninsula first, before fighting Margit.

First: Be patient in fights. More patient than you're probably used to.

Second: Do not fear the loss of runes. Consider runes gone the moment you die. Then if you get them back, it's just a nice little boon. (Of course, also be smart and strategic about timing your level ups.)

This was general advice I got that helped me not psych myself out and get into the flow of the game.

Being told the game was so obtuse, many things are not able to be figured out simply playing normally, so don't be afraid to use guides or look things up; half the time, that was intended by the developer in the first place as a way of promoting discussion and having that old school sense of wonder. Other times, it was just to be "not like the other games."

This was back when DS1 first came out, though. Elden Ring isn't as bad as some of the older Fromsoft games in this regard. A couple quests, but not a huge bulk of the game.

Fromsoft: get naked and roll.

But seriously, biggest thing about Elden Ring is that you don't need to follow any trail it gives you and you don't need to fight each thing that comes along. Explore or watch some guide videos on how and where to get started easier.

let her play the game however she wants and roll into attacks

My friend: Be ready to die a lot… Me: wut?

And here I am lol. Like many have said before. Come at with open eyes and be open to go back to the drawing board. It all comes down to determination and learning from your mistakes. Best wishes my fellow tarnished.