A very inexperienced student pilot recounted a harrowing cross country which included multiple go arounds; striking an airport sign while airborne; a disquieting give and take with a Local Controller and; ultimately a stressful landing with a damaged nose gear.

Narrative

I was on my third cross country. Everything was great. I was pleased with my navigation. I got to my destination (ZZZ) and entered the traffic pattern for a left downwind for 7. I did get the AWOS. Looking back I should have taken Runway XX. I tried to land twice on YY. It rocked my confidence a little. Then someone on UNICOM radioed 'winds from 220 at 6'. I responded 'thank you; I will change' or something like that. Anyway; I entered a right downwind for XX; still a little shaken. I called base and final. I was not 100% confident at that point. But I set it up and tried to land. I bounced a little then decided to go around.Well; at that point I felt bad. I thought can I not land this plane? Like ever? So I radioed back 'Y'all have a good day; I'm out of here' turned to the north and then really began to worry. Will I make it back home? Will I run out of gas? What if I can't land this airplane at all? Just a thousand questions went through my head. Anyway; I was about two miles east of ZZZ and I thought; 'I really need to land at that airport. I can't go back without landing at ZZZ. I need to turn around. No; you tried it two times or so and today is just not your day; GO HOME'.Then I remembered ZZZ2 is right there. I could go there; stop and take a break. I had just landed there yesterday evening and did three very good full stop landings. So it is close; safe; comfortable; and a good choice to calm down. I got about 4 miles out from ZZZ2 and radioed the Tower and after some miscommunication due to my inexperience the Tower advised 'cleared to land right hand for the runway'; or something like that. At this point I was OK. A little miscommunication; but that's OK.Then I advised entering right downwind for the runway. I don't think the Tower said anything. I thought that I was supposed to let them know where I was. Then I advised 'turning right base for the runway and just so you know; I am not 100% on my right hand traffic patterns. I have about 80 to 100 total landings. Five or so are right hand. I have communicated with three or four different Control Towers total with about ten total communications'. That's when he very sternly corrected me 'are you talking to traffic; or Tower?' I said; 'traffic?' The Tower Controller replied 'I'm the Tower; you are talking to me! If you expect to fly or be flying you better get your stuff straight!'At this point; I was shaken again. I was on final; I knew I had to compensate for the unfamiliar right hand pattern. Trying to do the math: the angle; the speed; the flaps; wind heading; etc... And ATC was yelling at me. I was so scared I didn't know if I should call my base leg or what. I do remember trying to do my flaps right; my throttle right; my speed. Then am I too low or too high? Anyway I was getting closer to the runway.I touched down. I skipped; then I tried one more time to just land. Nope; it skipped again. Then I knew I was in trouble. I knew that it was bad. I had to go around. So; full throttle; nose down; build speed. The last; or next to the last skip; kind of shot me over to the right at 20 to 30 degrees; I really don't know if a wind gust helped. Well I was on course for the big #5 sign. I knew that I had to build speed so I would not stall. But; I was headed straight for the #5 sign. So I built speed until I thought that it was imperative to pull up to avoid the big sign. And then I hit it!I held onto the climb. I radioed in 'I took out the sign' or something like that. The Tower asked 'Are you OK? Can you fly the plane? Is the plane OK? I said 'yes. I am OK. And the plane is flying great'. The Tower said 'I want you to fly over so the Fire Department can inspect the landing gear'. I thought great! Not only can I not land today; but now I get to try it with no landing gear! Super!! So I asked if I was too high or too low; too fast or too slow. The Tower said 'the Fire Department said it looks good'.I advised; 'I am a Student Pilot. I just triedto land at ZZZ three or so times and I couldn't. So I need help! Please if I can; can I land left downwind for ZZ?' The Tower said 'if you think that will help sure'. At this point his attitude had changed 180 degrees. He was now very helpful. I replied 'yes sir; it would absolutely help.' So I set it up; the way I was taught: did my proper timing; speed; spacing; etc. I came in and I was very proud of myself. I landed it great! When the front tire touched down I knew it was messed up or flat.Anyway this was not a good day. I did learn many things that day. Wind direction is very important. Wind velocity is very important. If you bounce; once; go around. More practice on right hand traffic pattern. If you have someone yelling at you and it is not life or death it is better to handle it safer; on the ground. Don't let them rattle you. Speak up and let them know. It could cost someone their life! Well; I am sorry this happened. I hope this report will help someone in the future. And make aviation safer for everyone.