hi nun, Happy Christmas and all that.
I don't recall you ever mentioning brake pads, but connected to rim life, I always recommend soft brake pads from both the angle of braking power but especially for being easier on the rim surface so longer life out of a rim.
I too have thought of a wheel building course, the times I have looked into it they are a bit pricey and was surprised by how much (seems to me it was up near $500)
I'm using the pads that came with my bike, looks like regular black rubber compound.
The wheel building class at my local LBS is $140 plus cost of materials. The first night is spent on theory and ordering parts.