OK, I've been flying off and on for the better part of a year, but had not officially soloed primarily due to not being able to coordinate 2 club instructors, my time, and good weather all at the same time. For the last couple of months, I have been flying on my own with an instructor either standing there holding the trainer switch, or standing close by. I had become pretty comfortable (at least I thought so) taking off, landing, flying the pattern both directions, split-"S"'s, immelmans, stall turns, loops, rolls, etc. Nothing exotic, just the basics.

Well, yesterday (quite by coincidence) I actually got the official certification to fly solo at the field. I happened to have today off work and the weather was great - so off I went to fly. Well, you can probably guess what happens next. I had been flying about 6 min as described above and decided to start practicing using the rudder in the slow roll, I rolled left and then went the wrong way with the rudder, went into a dive and couldn't get it leveld and pulled out soon enough. My trusty Avistar is totaled. (Engine and flight gear appear to have survived - but further inspection will follow...)

My question to the experts: What is a good recommended practice regiment for a beginner to work on? I think I'd do better if I had a defined schedule and sequence of maneuvers to practice starting out easier and progressing gradually as proficiency improves?

I really thought I was being careful to not let the excitement overcome rationality, but I guess I now have a much better understanding of how easy it is to lose sight of not trying to progress too quickly.

TIA for the insight to follow.