This is a timely post for me as I am taking my second trip to the Keys next week ( I was OW certified three weeks ago). I'm going next week because I really want to dive, but I really feel like I need more instruction. I had arranged to do two AOW dives next week, buoyancy and navigation. But then I got to thinking...when will I be able to dive after this ? I live in Boulder Co and really dont relish the idea of diving cold water (Blue hole, NM) or the Crater in Utah. So maybe next week is the only opportunity I will have in the next 4-5 months to dive again. I'm thinking of as many AOW dives next week as I can, but am wondering if I'm in too much of a hurry. For me, its not so much the certification as it is getting the instruction while everything is still fresh. After the OW dives I did two dives w/o instruction and to be honest, diving was more fun without the pressure of performing, but at the same time I know that instruction will make me a better diver (I hope !)
Get in all you can - you'll be surprised how much you can improve with the repetitive dives.