i did aerodrome and area at the college more than a few moons ago.
they are both hard, but have to admit that aerdrome was the easier of the 2, but by no means was a walk in the park.
the main pain in the behind for area is the verbatim answers you have to commit to memory... its not easy but totally do-able. and also the actual radar work is harder and we found a few who were good at aerodrome couldnt get their heads around thinking laterally and vertically the way you need to... on aerodrome its like playing a game of chess and you can hold things at stands, tell them to stop etc etc.... on radar the things keep coming so you have no choice but to keep up or go down in flames.
like i said neither are easy and validating makes the college look like playschool. both are rewarding and i would happily go and do some tower work if ever offered just for a nice change.
KL