i would suggest trying a different dmv, like the one in monticello. the people there are generally nicer, the course is easy and not intimidating, and there's a lot less people. that's where i got my license. get there reasonably early on saturday morning and you should be fine. the one in champaign is pretty much always busy, and the course in a much busier town is a lot more nerve-wracking.

but yeah. dmv's are annoying.