Question regarding stats + Junction

[Pancakes]

Hi guys, I recently started playing FFVIII again and unlike last time when I was young, I started to understand a little on how Junction works. It's quite a wonder how level doesn't affect much of the gameplay for this series instead you should work on your Junction more.

So anyways, I'm at Disc One at the moment at Timbers, I'm just wondering how do I max my stats like Str to 255? ATM my Str is only 21 and it's slotted with Fire. Can anyone enlighten me on what magic should I equip to have high stats so I can do high potential damage? I'm not liking my damages now =(. How and where to get the certain Magic would be appreciated too!
*I did some researching and pros advices that do not level your character up, use the Card ability instead and I did follow the advice.. though I'm level 11 now because of some mistakes*

Thanks for the help, guys! Any additional info that might be able to help me are welcomed to.. hehe

Edit: I have just one more question, how do people avoid EXP-ing when theres fight vs soldiers where carding them is impossible... ugh