I think perfect world is one fellow student that you already know... No real anxiety because you are both friends, but also get the benefit of working together on our of air drills and when you each think of a question the other hadn't thought of.
Regarding the anxiety in general.... Relax. I swim like a brick only faster and needed remedial swim training as an adult, but have been diving for years now. My youngest was able to absorb and learn the info and skills at 10. I'm no scuba instructor, but I teach adults in a high risk profession as my day job.... The majority of being an instructor isn't the skills, it's how to identify how the student learns and bridge that gap. A good instructor (and some have been recommended by name) will identify the roadblocks in the unlikely event they are there, and help you navigate them.
In short, relax... You got this!
Respectfully,
James
Regarding the anxiety in general.... Relax. I swim like a brick only faster and needed remedial swim training as an adult, but have been diving for years now. My youngest was able to absorb and learn the info and skills at 10. I'm no scuba instructor, but I teach adults in a high risk profession as my day job.... The majority of being an instructor isn't the skills, it's how to identify how the student learns and bridge that gap. A good instructor (and some have been recommended by name) will identify the roadblocks in the unlikely event they are there, and help you navigate them.
In short, relax... You got this!
Respectfully,
James