EDITING: in the first round of editing I selected images using p (pick) and x (reject) . After that I filtered my images by selecting the white flag.
then I went through the images that I had selected using P(pick) and rated them using a staring system. This allows for me to pick the best images.
then I went into develop mode to edit the photos with a star rating of 4 and above.
after entering develop mode I adjusted the white balance as the first step of my editing.
then I adjust the exposure and the contrast until I am happy with the final image.