I would advise you first to try both Maya and Max or even XSI and then decide which you feel most comfortable with and stick to it.
Then begin learning to model simple objects and texturing them.Perhaps then trying a simple animation using your objects, it will soon become clear which area interests you most or even which you would not like to do as an everyday thing.
Bare in mind that if you end up working in a production studio of some type then you will most likely be expected to help out in other ereas anyway so it never hurts to be at least familiar with say texturing even if you only want to model.Some modelers are expected to rig their models where in other places animators like to make their own rigs.
Maybe you are interested in VFX and would want to study dynamics really well,in short the more you know the better your chances of getting work.
In conclusion try it ,figure out what you want to achieve and then gear your work towards that aim.