I used to conduct practical sessions for ocean remote sensing workshops using linux software. Participants found that spending a couple afternoons learning basic linux command-line concepts was time well spent, both during practical sessions (with projects due at the end of 2 weeks) and after when installing and configuring software like SNAP, python, and R.
Scientific software GUI’s are very useful when they work, but resolving problems often requires use of the terminal command line and the bash, dash, or zsh shell. If you are comfortable with the command line you will be able to recognize and avoid some of the really bad “solutions” to linux problems (like chmod -R 777 to cure “permissioin denied”) that are all to common in certain online forums or google searches that can cause irreparable damage to a linux system.
A good place to start is Linux Command. Since Mint is based on Debian, you can also use 99% of the material in the Debian reference manuals available (debian-faq, developers-reference, and debian-handbook) packages in Mint. If English is not your native language you may find translations for both Linux Command and the Debian manuals in a language where you are more comfortable.
There are many good tutorials for SNAP and StaMPS. If you tell us more about the sensors you want to use and the goals of your project, forum members can suggest the most appropriate tutorials. You should, however, start with introductory SNAP Tutorials.