It is not unusual to hit a plateau presolo when you get to the circuit. One of the causes is insufficient time spent on the fundamental flying skills
I'm starting to build up some reasonable experience now as an instructor; as a CRI rather than FI only dealing with people who already hold some form of pilots licence.
I've come to realise that a lot of pilots *think* they should be going into the circuit as soon as possible, but lack the skill and familiarity with the aeroplane to use that effectively.
So, moving into the circuit early can be a retrograde step and serve to mess up a pilots confidence and skill in the aeroplane,rather than improve it.
That, hopefully, does not apply to the OP, but it has certainly applied to several pilots I've taught.
G