Congratulations on the license I just got mine two weeks ago. I did the opposite of you did the majority of my training on the 172 and then towards the end started flying the 152 for hav qualifier etc. It's about 20-30£ cheaper per hour. You'll find the 172 similar just a few differences dual tanks and rpm not over on the right are two that spring to mind. I'd focus on doing ten hours solo like others say, the passengers will come soon enough and one at a time before you build up to a gang of distractions! I'd stay away from aerobatics for a few hundred hours, that alarms me! Have you read The Killing Zone? A sobering read for new pilots but I'm glad I've read it.
You should come up to Oban and try some flying here, very few flat fields to do a PFL in
