I have my .38 S&W but I haven’t taken the class yet although I have taken some classes - none meet the requirement for the cc permit. I’m not sure that I will carry, but I want to exercise my right to carry if I decide to.
When you take the class, do your shooting with a .22, perhaps a Ruger or like semi-auto target pistol ... if they will let you. You will shoot a better score and have much less ‘pain’ ... In Tennessee we had to shoot fifty rounds in less than a twenty minute stretch so I was glad to be using a Ruger Mark III. I placed all fifty rounds inside the ten and from varying distances, out to forty feet. A few decades ago, in Alabama, I had to use what I intended to carry to pass their CC class. I had a .38 Snubby then and didn’t do anywhere nears as good score.
That .38 will be a good carry pistol though. But please, practice with it when you get the chance, and shoot a few of whatever rounds you intend to load with for carry because different ammo can yield different results, as in wad cutters, or round nosed, or hollowpoints, plus “P” loads, etc. Stay safe, go armed.
CCW is good to have, even if you don't use it. When things get ugly enough that you think you might need it, you will not be able to get it in a timely manner (if at all).
Also, be sure you keep at least a couple of boxes of ammo in reserve for a rainy day.