On the rate of climb issue, PWP, I too found it very confusing having numerous instructors while initially learning circuits (see 'How many instructors' thread). No two did a circuit exactly alike, whether it be climbout speeds, when to turn, pre-landing checks, approach speeds etc.
I used to get quite confused and flustered trying to remember what I needed to do to keep each one happy (I actually made notes at one point - 'Instructor XXX - climb out at 80kts' - and checked them before the lesson - sad eh?)
I solved the problem by talking through out loud what I was about to do and why. E.g. 'Climbing out at 80kts - best rate of climb'. This seemed to convince most people that I knew what I was doing and they let me get on with it my own way mostly.