I have also had a problem with a cylinder. I had just soloed the week before, so I'm still getting a feel for the aircraft. It was a 172. I had spent about an hour practicing manuevers, and decided to come back and practice landings. I did the first one ok, but on the second I just couldn't climb. I blew a cylinder. I barely had over 1,000 r.p.m. I was at 200 feet, and fortunately was able to maintain my altitude. I circled back, and made a normal landing. As a new student I was terrified, but I managed to stay calm. I believe most pilots die because they freak out. I'm just glad that I decided to come back and practice landings or I might have had to make a landing in the desert.