May I suggest you just use the rudder and tail to do your business till you get more comfortable?

Before you do ANY of this, make sure someone else flies your plane and 'gets it trim' before you have a big problem that isn't your fault.

I am a beginner also but after 6 solos I am doing very high speed circular dogfights with my brother in his trainer. Even the trainer guy at our airfield can't believe we both only flew a little over an hour. So this worked for me:

Takeoff:
-keep it straight on takeoff, pull back nice and gentle and straight. Let it climb out on full throttle and then with the RIGHT STICK ONLY turn left and pull back a bit. As you complete your first turn you should be a bit higher now or at least level to when you started your turn if you did this right.

Flying:
-Do gentle gentle boxes around the airfield. If it is climbing to much, cut the throttle a notch or two until it stops climbing. I would not suggest pushing down as this is when the plane gets squirly. Not to mention I have seen many people death spiral from this that are just learning.

Landing:
-You want to be able two telephone poles high on your 3rd downward leg and throttle chopped to the point where you would think it is almost at idle. If you have a large airfield, I would suggest keep it faster until you learn more so you don't stall on landing (BAD) or on your last turn stall because you will have to pull back even more on the right stick as you turn because your speed is chopped.

When landing, I turn my body away from the plane and look a bit over my shoulder (ok not anymore): that's what I did my few first times. It really helped me overcome that nervousness when landing.

You sound like you have alot of experience in the flight sim and knew how to bring her down in an emergency on your first try. In a couple weeks you will probably be wondering why it was so difficult for ya.

IF YOU ARE STUBBORN and must do it yourself like me, then try to follow the above. But if you are smart (unlike me) then you will want to fly with someone that will takeoff and land for you for a bit. Takeoffs are not difficult, landings are. And remember:

Takeoffs are optional, landing is mandatory.

EDIT: BTW, I know how difficult it is not to fly when you REALLY want to fly. Especially in my area, not many people to fly with thus the reason I went it alone. I DID have someone takeoff and land for me for AT LEAST 5 flights before I solod. PLEASE, Remember that once you damage your plane. I doubt it will ever fly the same unless you do a damn good and long, extensive repair job. ANd that will take you out of the air even more. Take your time until you feel you are ready when you are sitting at home. At the airfield is a different story, we all get nervous before flying...

S