95 Neon Headlights Switch

Disclaimer: I got my license a month ago and this is my first car. So if my question sounds dumb, its because I genuinely have no clue about cars.

I just bought a Plymouth Neon 1995 yesterday. Everything is great about the car and I'm so excited! One thing though, I cant seem to get the headlights to stay on. This is Also, since I can't get the headlights to stay on the dash lights wont stay on so I can't see my speed etc at night. what I've been doing, let me know what you think: I pull the little knob that has turn signals towards me, the lights light up but once i move my hand it goes right back off. Am I doing something wrong or should I get a mechanic to check it out?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Inm sorry I didnt see your posting sooner. Not that I had a good answer. I would have said its probably a bad headlamp switch. There hasnt been so much activity on the Neon forum as there used to be, which is sad. But the older messages will have all of the years of questions and answers on these cars. My daughter has a 97 Neon, which I did a fair amount of work on, and now she has given it to me - since she got a newer used Saturn sedan.
I hope you still have your Neon. I dont think much of newer cars, & prefer older ones. The 97 Neon would be my newest car by several years. Im a retired guy, a husband and grandfather, and fiddling with cars has been my hobby most of my life. As a hobby its fun. As a career I doubt I would have liked it; too much pressure. But a hobbysit can take as long as needed to fix problems.
Anyway; good luck with your Neon; First Cars are special.

Before my retirement in 05 I used to travel to the twin cities often; going to the Lockheed Martin offices in Eagan. I have been there in the winters, & I recall cold mornings, tons of salt on the roads. Much better in the summers. My mother's family had lived in Elk River since the 1840's. Im probably a distant relative of everybody in the area whose last name is Washburn.