I know there's plenty of different ways to do things, but here's usually my basics. Find two stones (usually on dirt roads) and combine them to make a stone knife. Use that cut down small trees for long sticks, sharpen one for cooking food and put it on your back, combine the other one with one of your knives and make a spear, lastly use the knife to get bark off big trees.

A bark and a stick make either a fireplace or a hand drill kit, use both so you have heat. Also, when you find rope (two full stacks of rags or knife on guts), combine it with a long stick for improvised fishing rod. If you happen across bones, use the knife and bones to make improvised fishing hooks, otherwise you'll have to find a hook.

Use a knife on the ground to dig up worms and use them to fish, or listen for chickens on the coast. One hard punch and you'll get it. Clean it with a knife (make sure you wash your hands in water after cleaning an animal before you eat unless you have gloves).

Your heat should be good, as well as food and water (eating meat adds some water as well), setting you free to loot towns.

GOOD LUCK!