trying to rank up to gold

Use only what you are absolutely best at. What is considered "top tier" is completely irrelevant if you don't enjoy and know how to use it. If you master a trash tier jungler because you enjoy it, you will perform better than using anything else.

If you simply don't know what you're good at and enjoy yet, just practice them in normals. It'd be better for you to practice Normals for 3 weeks and spend 1 week in Ranked after that practice than it would be to just keep trying different things in Ranked (it will get you to Bronze before you can learn the champion).

It's hard to give you tips because gold- obviously aren't sure what they are doing. that's why they aren't winning, but here are some tips.

1. Gank a lane that trades a lot you are most likely going to be successful

2. when facing an good jungler he will be attracted to a lane that trades. Be ready to counter-gank warn your teammates counter jungle

3. Jungler is the epitome of intel. 1-2 wards is all you need to ward one side of his jungle. If you don't see him on that side he is obviously on the other side. warn your teammates and follow up with your intel

4. Keep a pink up atleast the entire game (this will probably involve re-buying). but change the location so its relevant (early in the game dragon side). (Later in the game Baron side).

5. If the enemy adc is split pushing with nobody around, ask a teammate to help punish them.

6. If you are an early pressure jungler (Lee sin, Rek Sai, Kindred, Elise, Eve etc etc). Piss the other jungler off so he quits (kill him or counter jungle). :P

7. Don't get greedy. A successful gank >= getting an enemy summoner spell/making them back.

8. After a successful gank get some damage on the turret or take it. (look at tips 1 and 2 for successful ganks).

These tips have a domino effect. Once a few are executed the other tips will fall into place as long as you keep them in mind.

There's a few more but I don't want to bore you to death.

Happy hunting