I got certified on a whim. I was vacationing at Sandals Resort in Antigua and the sign read "everyone dives", seemed like a good idea at the time. Fortunately the instructor was simply wonderful right down to holding my hand through the first dive, and yes she was a woman, I wasn’t holding hands with some dude.
I would have to agree with Dutch, your first instructor can make or break you diving career.
Having only experience with PADI I can say that it will suffice. Ultimately you will be responsible for your own safety and enjoyment and no brow beating by an instructor good or bad will make you a proficient diver. What I found to help me was teaming up with a friend who began diving the year after I did. He had always wanted to dive and seeing me get certified drove him over the edge. Having someone to dive who loves the sport gets you out a lot. The other advice I would give is take as many easy dives as you can. Lakes and quarries are great low stress dives that get you experience with the equipment in a relatively safe and controlled environment.
Anyway, I haven’t drowned yet.
Let’s pray everyone has a safe diving season.
Good luck