Auto Loans and Rebuilding Credit

I made my first payment. I sort of expected a lot of it to go toward interest, which it did. I'm just wondering if this is common and most auto loans, esp since i have poorer credit, or if its an issue with this bank. Also, how long can i expect this interest to be the bulk of my payment?

Also, as my score has likely taken a big hit cause of this loan, and wasn't that great to begin with, what can I do to boost myself in the short term...I don't plan on getting any big credit, but i mean apartment hunting is coming up in the summer...