Re trimming in a Cessna
Hold the wheel in your left hand and ask yourself do I have to push or pull to maintain the pitch attitude. If you have to push on the control wheel then push on the top of the trim wheel. By that I mean the little knobs on the trim wheel are going into the into the instrument panel. If you have to pull on the control wheel, then pull on the trim wheel, that is the little knobs on wheel turns are coming out of the instrument panel.
Your problem is not that unusual. I find the best way to fix it is to devote a part of a lesson to just getting the sense of the trim wheel sorted. The best way to do that is, in straight and level flight have the instructor move the trim wheel so the aircraft is out of trim with you not looking. Then practice re-trimming to a stick neutral trim (ie you do not have to push or pull on the control wheel to maintain your attitude)
10 or so tries and you will have it sorted.