keep riding as you are.
focus on nutrition and droppin some significant weight.
You didn't say how tall... "just embarrassingly short"
now's really the best time to work on the weight loss program, along with bettering nutrition.
most riders can get along at reasonable speed, in a pack, on the flat. But you'll never be able to climb with any race success in a race situation, carrying a lot of weight.
A 45 min. crit can be very stressful, but no where near what longer road race distances will do.
drop the weight, and then develop the strengths.
along the way you'll develop insights on how to minimize the weaknesses and have them improve also.
if you can motor well on the flats, then focus on learning short race skills. There are usually always a lot of crits on the calendar. Things you learn in crits will help you ride better in road races.
Sounds like you'll never be a front of the pack climber, so working towards that will be ineffective.
as you lose weight, the overall road strengths will also improve.
once you're past the winter, your coach may have you doing intervals.
awful stuff, but maybe the best way to see dramatic results (if well integrated into the general riding plan).
stick with it. you may be 'slow' now, but you will improve.
don;t get behind on the studies
beleive me, its very easy to lose focus on the education if you allow athletics to be all-consuming.
can't do it all, something's gotta give...
studies, cycling, partay... is your choice.