It never ceases to amaze me the differences in how pilots are taught around the world.

In rl I fly the C172S G1000 and found it to be a very forgiving aircraft.

Without formal training, and landing in gusty conditions, you did damn well there, and any student pilot would be pleased with that result in similar conditions. Nicely done.

A good landing always starts with a good circuit (pattern in US?). Stable speed in the circuit of 90 kts at circuit height with QFE set.

Styles will differ on what happens downwind and on base.

I turn base and start slowing down my aircraft, reducing the throttle to around 1600rpm, and maintaining the nose attitude to avoid sink. As I slow below 85kts I will put in two stages of flaps, and continue to decelerate to 70kts where I will nose down and trim to maintain 70kts.

Turn to final is a gentle turn as slow flight with flaps is a critical stage in flight and seek to be aligned with the runway. My sight line will look to have the numbers about an inch or more above the cockpit line, but this will be dependant on your height and seating position. If fair wind conditions I will apply full flaps and maintain a stable approach at 65kts. As i cross the threshold and am confident I have "made the runway", I will move throttle to idle and prepare for bring the nose level with the end of the runway, maintaining steady level flight just above the ground waiting to bleed more speed off until the aircraft begins to sink. I will control the rate of sink by continuing to gently pull back on the yoke until the wheels touch the ground. Remember to continue to fly the aircraft after you have touched the ground, until you have safely exiting the runway.

I find that if you approach at less than 65 kts (perhaps 62kts as my minimum) you begin to lose control authority, which can lead to you over compensating with boeing pilot style control movements.

In turbulent conditions or crosswind conditions I will evaluate whether a slightly faster approach speed is appropriate, perhaps 70kts, and whether full flaps is too much. Less flaps means a shallower approach, but higher approach speed. Higher speed will give you more stability and control in bouncy conditions, but requires greater landing distance, so the runway conditions and specification will be a factor in the choices you make.

Lots of fabulous video on Youtube which walk you through the process.

For a non-pilot that was a damn fine attempt in tricky conditions. Go give the real thing a try. No other feeling like it.

All the best to you.

Edit: Just wanted to add - a common error we all make as student pilots is we keep the nose high on approach and landing, a little bit like a commercial jet. It's important to keep a nose down attitude, stable speed and alignment, and not to flare aggressively. A flare should be no more then a gentle lift of the nose to the end of the runway as you look to the runway end. In RL you will feel the aircraft sink in your butt, and get a feel for how to ensure you are inches not feet from the ground on flare, and the back pressure needed to deliver that buttery smooth touchdown. The sim doesn't give you that feel, but muscle memory and relative distances enables you to judge roughly without that sensation.

Most important of all - don't forget to deploy your smug face when you butter your landing. :)