Hello, lucky-one-on-the-summer-side-of-this-planet.

Congratulations with your first solo.

Answer to question 1:
I got sick, tired and very fustrated with hiring and bought my one.
Slightly more expensive but worth it.

Answer to question 2:
Learn to use the rudder, makes flying easier.
I never used a flight simulator, apart from the games were you blow
other aircraft from the virtual sky.

I was also supprised about the performance of the plane on my first
solo, not to mention the hugly improved view without an ugly instructor
in the right seat.
Never met a jackal on the runway, if you mean the four legged version.
We have only the ones with two legs over here.
The only things I ever encountered on a runway were sheep, dogs, holes,
white X-es, a bulldozer, flocks of birds and other aircraft.
Neither one of them ending in a bent plane.

Happy landings,
-Kees