I'm late to post... being into this for 4+ years now and I am proud how far I have come and after some of the first flights of the day, I see really how far I have to go!. I get very anxious and jittery. I am a guy who's hand is always rock steady, but heart beats though his chest. I have developed a system. I agree with everybody here. Breathe, go pee if you have to, don't rush, don't think of who ever is looking, and tune out the surroundings. Tell anybody who "overhelps" to back off, in a nice way and focus on what you CAN do. Take your time on pre flight, make sure radio is set correct ie: ailerons , left is left, up elevator is up, battery charged, etc. Example of my Saturday morning.. Take out old dependable, the Ugly stick and get a tank or two in, first few minutes, some simple patterns, then work up to advanced moves, then and only when I calm down , work up to another plane. I would never take up my P-51 first, or any other aircraft that is near and dear. All the guys at our field tend to do that.