I’ve taken a few different “beginner” courses and the main takeaway for me is that it’s all about the instructor.
The first guy I took instruction from was a jerk who was off to prove how badass he was. He was the kind of person he yelled at you like a drill sergeant, scoffed because my ear protection was pink, etc. I went to 3 classes then never went back and felt zero comfort or confidence to handle my weapon after the class.
The second instructor was a woman who was all business but still warm and friendly. I took more from that first lesson with her than all 3 of the other lessons combined. I went home and felt truly comfortable. It was with this instructor that I got my CCW in California.
I also took some lessons with a couple of retired cops in California on situational gun use (someone is in your house, someone tries to mug you, etc.) Great information, still got an adrenaline rush and no one screamed at me.
Here in Virginia, I took a lesson with a new, unfamiliar firearm from a nice young retired Marine. I left with a good comfort level and enjoyed the time spent learning.
I think that is how you judge the success of your lesson – do you leave feeling comfortable with your weapon and confident that you can use it, rack the slide, load it, and unload it?
My EDC is pretty small and I carry most of it in my purse. I have a little LED flashlight on my keychain, a bandana tied to my purse, a folding pocket knife, a Sawyer mini, a lighter, a Glock 19 and an extra magazine.