I'm only going to reply to point 3, because the other questions have already been answered well enough.
The motivational issue raised by FFF is very important. Different people motivate themselves in different ways. I completed mod 1 by studying 3+hrs per night, only taking nights off when I was too exhausted to study. This did get me through mod 1 but I don't think this is the best way of doing it, and motivation was sometimes very low.
I'm half way through mod 2 now, and have started to give myself 2 days off per week, sometimes more, and study at a much more relaxed pace. As a result I'm enjoying the course to a greater extent than ever before, and more importantly, what I learn seems to stick.
Sure the ATPLS can be done in 9 months, commonly 12, but I plan for 18months. Relax, enjoy the hourbuilding and make sure you have a life outside the study.
Bodie