I am a student also about to take the skills test,so have had similar problems sometimes.
I always mark off road junctions,towns,old airfields.lakes etc on the chart with their ETA,this seems to work well for me to date.
Always put the wind arrow on the chart so you don't have to start worrying where it's coming from when the charts upside down!
The main thing for me now is to relax,be really sure of my position ,times and track etc at all times, then if things look a bit strange have belief in my own dead reckoning.
If off track ,there is the 1:60 rule and other systems that will be explained in your text books,and you can always ask for a QDM from ATC if in serious doubt,it's best to ask for help
before you get into trouble.
I'm never afraid to ask the instructors for help even if it seems a stupid question,after all that's why they are there.
When I first started for the first few trips I was lost the minute I left the airfield,but I did have the instructor with me!
Good luck
Lister
