Some tips to make your projects and emulators run faster:

1. Turn off the online sync: Settings -> Appearance & Behavior -> System Settings -> Uncheck Synchronize files on frame or editor tab activation

2. To disable Gradle Internet Access and fix the errors when you open projects:
        For Windows:
            Go to File -> Other Settings -> Default Settings
            Open the "Build, Execution, Deployment."
            Then open the Build Tools -> Gradle
            Check -> "Offline work" on the right
            Click the OK button.
            Rebuild the Project.

        For Mac OS:
            Go to Android Studio -> Preferences
            The rest is the same

3. Tweak the UI to remve clutter

4. Test the system before trying to create anything by running Hello World

5. To create a "Hello World" app:

     1. Start a new Android Studio Project
     2. Select "Empty Activity"
     3. Select "Java" for the language
     4. Create an emulator - Pixel 2 API 28 works well on a macbook
     5. Run the project and see if it loads