RE: Landing question
I fully agree with the consensus, go around a zillion times if you need to, who cares? Who are you trying to impress anyway? I sometimes spend a whole flight just doing touch and goes and practicing plane orientations on landing approach
Some flyers are very good, some are mediocre, and some are gods from Olympus in the air. Me? I've been flying for over 20 years and I place myself squarely in "mediocre", I can take off, fly around somewhat competently, and land with a 95% chance of success. I still have trouble hitting the target runway all the time, but I can land in the general area that I want to consistently. When in doubt, go around again!
A dead stick landing is not an issue really; you are going to land regardless of gusts or bad orientation or whatever, so there is no need to make too many decisions on the matter. Pick a large area free of obstructions and touch down anywhere in there that you can safely. You will probably have to walk a ways to get the plane, but it will survive.
You are off to a good start, fly every chance you get and you will improve, don’t be afraid of destroying a plane once in a while because it makes for a good excuse to buy a new one. (don’t tell that to the wife- stick with the “angry bird attack” story)
Good luck!