Navigation relying on compass and stopwatch is very much an act of faith. We know the theory, we know that it works but actually throwing the map in the back and flying course & time requires a bit of courage to do.
I like maps, there is a 1/2 mil chart pinned up on the wall in front of me at work
So my advice is to learn your map. Start on you local area, take a map up with you and ask your instructor point out the landmarks. Ask here on pprune if anyone has an old map they would like to donate to you.
Once your are happy with the local area, widen your scope. Look at the relatiomship between towns, road, rivers and railways. I like railways as they always stand out against the landscape.
When you come to do your nav. flights, learn the route, go down it inch by inch so you know what to expect; keep the river on your left and watch out for a town on the right.
Remember the 5Ps -Preflight Planning Prevents Pi55-poor Performance.