dear big pistons, regarding your advice to knock five knots off the approach speed. i have to agree for the following.
I noticed that almost all light planes publish an approach speed for a plane at max landing weight . Certainly a solo student with fuel for pattern work is no where near that. I've had my students use the graphs or charts and calculate the exact approach speed to the improvement of their landings. Some might use the short field landing graphs or charts and the speed for the weight. You might find your landings getting better.
Also, to add, most planes are flown at the forward c of g due to no one in the back seat or no luggage. This may change things a bit too.
AS you say, the standard approach speed is a little fast, resulting in a longer float and actually more difficulty in finding the correct touchdown attitude.
I have to think that the higher speed only benefits those who worry about stalls in the pattern.