In the 152, I think you are right, a starting point may be to start the rotate 5kts less than required to bring it up gently or just do the 'yank' method I have been doing, just dont yank to hard and bleed your airspeed off and end too clost to the stall.
Most definately don't want to stall when you can still pick out individual stones on the ground - reminds me of an amusing flyers' "commandment" I heard once:
"Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below and smite thee."
V1R
P.S. Always nice to meet other fledgling flying types - if you're ever at Leicester, you'll have to let me know. There's a nice, well-stocked bar here
