Replying to Need longboard knowledge

a few months ago i got a blank bamboo longboard and blank trucks and wheels so that I could paint it and use it to get around campus so that i didnt have to push as much compared to my park deck and take the bumps better (smoother ride to class) and wouldnt have to worry about puddles and shit. I threw a pair of rush abec 7s that I had on my park board on it and it seemed ok until i started taking hills... my friends board (granted he has a loaded and stock abec 7s) flys compared to mine. my question is that if i get new bearings will it even help? the 7's i put on were practically new, so i'm thinking that its the shitty trucks and wheels that are making me top out. I dont wanna pay for a new pair of bearings if they wont do anything and wont get used, so if anyone can help me out that'd be sick