Sewing clothes from Big 4 pattern (or really most patterns I've seen)

Are you just supposed to *know* that there is a missing step between cutting the pattern pieces from your fabric and sewing them together? The missing step being "finish edges" by zigzag, pinking, serging etc? I've had several instances now that I've graduated to sewing things with more than one piece (usually happening on anything with a "top" like a shirt or dress bodice)--I cut the pieces they said, then follow to the next step to sew and discover several steps later that I haven't finished edges that are likeyl to unravel a bit. They're all inside the garment, but won't wash and waer nicely.

Then I thought I'd get clever and just always serge the edges of each piece after cutting--and that doesn't always work because sometime the unfinished edge is meant to go somewhere and remain unfinished.

Thoughts here? Tips?

There is usually some instruction about finishing seams in the general information on the pattern sheet.

As you keep sewing you'll get a better idea of what needs serging when. I serge seams after I sew them. Some edges, like sew-in pockets, need serging before you begin sewing them together.

This is also knowledge that will come with experience. As you make more and more items, you will remember what you liked and didn't like about a similar garment you have made previously, i.e. which seams you liked finished and which ones didn't need it after all.
I find it very useful to write directly on my pattern instructions. Many times I think that I will remember what I did the last time, but every time I find one of my little notes I'm so happy I did it!

Yes, those steps are missing for sure, but it's not just big 4 patterns.  Actually, my MIL and my GMIL both learned to sew just from patterns, and it was interesting to me when I inheirited a vintage shift dress from my GMIL that she had not finished any seams at all despite her flawless construction.  Maybe she just didn't wash clothes as often as we do.

As tempting/time saving as it might be to serge the edges of pieces before you sew them together, it's not a good idea because it will distort the cut edge (ask me how I know), making for pieces that won't fit together properly.  It's best to finish as you go whatever method you decide to use for any given garment.

So I made a few things from a new pattern this weekend and had the same problem--but I was expecting it So I did serge ahead of time (I didn't see any distortion, I don't think??) but was able to see that sides with say, notches, that would clearly be sewn to another piece and give me the opp to finish, I didn't serge. Other pieces without notches, I did serge and that seemed to work out pretty well. It was a pretty basic skirt, so we'll see how this thoery translates to shirts. One other irritation was that AFTER they had me gather, they had me hem the opposite side. Stupid. It's much much easier to hem when it's still flat. Why do they do this??