First Time EQ Player, Please Explain This (spellsets)

[Vladgina]

First of all, this is my first time playing EverQuest at all, ever. I knew absolutely nothing about EQ before my friend recommended it to me a few days ago. Community seems really friendly, difficult albeit enjoyable game once you learn a few things (beginning was frustrating not knowing key things like right clicking bringing up trade window, simple stuff like that). I've been having fun.

I just hit level 5 as a Barbarian Shaman. Naturally I started buying all the level 5 spells. Now this is where I hit a problem that I cannot possibly fathom dealing with. The decision is just insane to me. You're seriously only allowed 8 spells?! SPELLSETS ARE DISABLED?! WHAT?! Is there some kind of work around to this? Is there something I am missing? Please tell me there is because it is incredibly disheartening if I'm only allowed 8 spells.

I'm only level 5 and I already have 6 buff spells! If I want to buff people do I REALLY need to sit there with my spellbook and rebind all the buffs, buff myself +strangers+friends/party members, then sit there with spellbook and rebind my healing/damage spells then finally continue playing? I hope so so incredibly much that this is not the case and if it is then I hope the cruel individual who decided to disable spellsets explains to me why this was decided.

I am baffled in disbelief and discouragement if this is real. This discourages buffing people, wtf? "Sorry, I'd buff you but I have to sit here and rebind all the buffs to my 8 slot only spellbar, then I have to rebind my normal spells afterward which is a huge hassle."