Paul,
Well done on taking the plunge to do flight training, it's a very worthwhile path of discovery and challenges. It's expensive both in time and money, but it's quite unlike anything else that you could do on a weekend - it takes you into the vertical dimension! (
Doctor, is it time for my pills yet?)..
I've just done my PPL, and although I did one of those intensive training courses, I can say that my progress went in fits and starts (Google "Tiggermoth Diaries"). I found the setting up of the landing configuration stall (approach stall) and the departure stall difficult to get my head around. Landings well a real big humdinger (almost to a point of becoming a phobia) until it clicked, then it was fine - even in really tricky turbulent conditions with a healthy crosswind flying into the low evening sun.
Things do become more automatic, the trick is to keep on
telling yourself out loud (and your instructor) your thought processes. It doesn't matter if you sound silly, or if it's bleedin obvious, just say it (
"Right, my airspeed is dropping, I'm getting too slow, ok, I'm pitching forward looking for 70 knotts") This will help you one day when you do that solo. If you start the habit early it will really help.
Another tip is
visualisation. Sit on a chair, and imagine you are in the cockpit, and just go through the procedures. Imagine yourself applying right rudder as you put on full trottle, and move your foot as you're doing it. If you are in a place where you are not likely to be locked up for being a nutter, then walk around carry out a landing pattern (or other excercise), looking over your shoulder for the turns (etc..). You don't
have to put your arms out to do this excercise, but heh, nobody is going to know are they?!
Write some notes as soon after your lesson as you can. It doesn't matter really how good your notes are in a way, scribble whatever bits you remember down, phrases that you have been taught, critical speeds, angles, attitudes. Let your mind re-run the whole lesson, and you'll get more out of that lesson. Writing a blog (or a diary) straight after your lesson will reinforce what you have just learnt, and will help you with your next lesson.
Like I say, I'm just a new PPL, so I have no experience in flying instruction, but I found these techniques useful for me. Happy flying - you'll find it great!
TiggerMoth