So I just started stick animating and so far have been using CS3 and 40 smoothing to practice. The one thing I can't wrap my head around too much is how I can keep the stick more stable so I can transition it smoothly instead of having each pose look like it's body is fluctuating. Thanks! If there is a thread about this please link me and close this topic!

Most people here use graphics tablets, or you can use the line tool. If you don't have a tablet or the line tool doesn't work for you, you'll just have to keep trying until you get the hang of it. Just keep practicing.

Fast quick strokes and if they're still too wobbly try increasing the brush smoothing SLIGHTLY
don't go above 40 i'd say on brush smoothing, I use 40 exactly but thats just what i've gotten used to, many people use 25-35.

have you tried using a faster fps or onion skin?

If you're a mouse user, you'll have to get used to drawing with it everyday. I mean, just make a new document and try to make a clean one click stroke(Don't do it slowly and make it jagged by repeating it just so it will look good). Another thing you can do is draw everyday. Even though a mouse and a pen have different feels, the figures you draw should help you get a gist of what it feels like.

Keep animating!