@Sphinx @mngrif If there is a red light ahead and I have space to reach it, I like to shift to neutral and let the car roll; control the speed, which is decreasing by tire friction and the motor no longer being engaged, control the speed with light brake touches. This is easy when you have experience driving the standard, for now do what feels safe for you.

The best is if you can avoid a full stop at the light at all; if you are still rolling, even slowly, and the light goes to green, I would trow into 2nd gear. As mngriff said, 1st gear is for starting up and very reduced, not good to trow a moving vehicle into it unless you are at very low speed,