One trick I learned too late is to Velco the stopwatch to the kneeboard. The Stopwatch clips dig into your leg and snag your trousers. You will also find velco all over the aircraft so you can stick the stopwatch onto the yoke. Use both sides of the velcro on the back of the watch in 2 strips then it will stick to the other surface regardless of whether it is the fluffy or the scratchy side on the aircraft.
If you buy a stopwatch invest in one with a flyback reset (i think that is what they are called). One where one button resets and restarts the watch in one go rather than having to do 3 button presses. The transair one does this. It is frustrating especially on the instrument rating to stop the watch reset it then miss the hit to start it ( I swear I did hit it). When you look down to see how your 1 minute hold leg is going and 00:00 stares back at you the watch is telling you its time to spend another £1000 and its just not your day.
I agree with Send Clowns about the weather. Its your money, don't screw it by going on a dodgy day. Don't go if its gusty or much less than 10Kviz.
Good luck