You can sign up for doing AFF level 1 only. That way you don't commit to the whole expensive course and it's (possibly) not much more £ than a tandem. You'll get ground school training on one day. That'll teach you the essential basics of skydiving, emergency procedures, body position, equipment etc etc. and then next day (or even same day if you are lucky) you go up with 2 instructors who will keep a grip on you to keep you stable until it's time to deploy your nice big, slow, easy handling student canopy. An instructor will even deploy for you if you want or if you can't. You'll then get a brilliant solo descent from about 6k. Far more exciting than a tandem and it's 'real' skydiving. Once you are under canopy you get talked down to the ground by 2 way radio comms, and even told when to flare for landing. Try it. If you like it, you can continue. If not, you've done a proper jump, not a carnival ride.