Cathartic thread.
The more you dive, the more you realise you don’t know. In the early years, you know very little.
It takes real commitment and time to practice but the outcome really is worth it. However, you’ll never know what good looks like if you’re diving with mediocrity. Most of the people you thought were 'great' aren’t as good as you thought, but then you didn’t know any better.
For OC, sidemount is the best configuration.
Choose your instructors carefully, they vary greatly in skills and delivery.
Pay for mentoring. It’s a massive leg up.
Look to the technical divers early, their skills totally eclipse the recreational divers; it’s not about the kit, it’s the skills.
Divers who "walk the walk" are worth far more than those who "talk the talk". Instructors who dive different configurations or their own enjoyment outside and beyond the courses they teach tend to be better divers.
Choose your instructor before the course. A good instructor is worth their weight in gold.
Finally, there’s no rush into CCR. Wait until you’ve mastered OC before switching to CCR. OC is much easier and the OC skills really are transferable.
And start diving in your twenties not fifties.