Hey Genghis,
I don't believe it's the norm now so to speak - it was that case with me, but was perhaps different seeing as I was told by my instructor I could have soloed had I been 6 months older - In which case date 'xxxx' was party day!
But from various people I've spoken to over the past few years they've usually given the reply you mentioned above - i.e. a pleasant surprise/sudden feeling of dread, however you wish to interpret it...
Hope that helps calm any displaced peace of minds
Cheers, Jack.