Noni: glad I could help. Summoner actually got a lot easier since SE made it so you could command your pet while also casting. That change was made a few weeks back. Before that, you had to not be casting (or doing anything really) to be able to tell your pet to attack, follow, move, etc... Of course, you still have to time when to use Spur/Rouse/Enkindle, but the change with the other abilities makes it made it much easier to be a summoner (and a scholar too -- this change also helped out our scholar friends). Unfortunately, I don't use a controller so I don't know how to help you there. I use 3 bars (plus one more for my pet)... Feel free to message me in game if you have any questions.

Nevik: I feel your pain. That's the exact reason I haven't played scholar at all since getting my relic. I wish they'd let us set points for both, but I am too in love with summoner to go the 15/15 split (which is apparently okay if arcanist is not your preferred class).