Pilotage and dead reckoning are two great skills that need to be learned. I would also recommend your first cross country use these skills. Maybe use pilotage on the way out, and dead reckoning on the way back.

DME is very helpful, and when I go flying I prefer aircraft that have DME. If you don't have DME, just use find your position relative to two VOR's, find out where the line intersects, and then measure how far you are from the VOR using a ruler. It is just slightly more work, but definately something that should be learned.

Good luck. Solo cross countries are the best part of of private training (except maybe unusual attitudes!)