BLM feels hard, tips from veterans?

[S-snape]

Recently started PvPing and BLM is my first job, and I'm enjoying it, but can feel rough sometimes. What's the general opinion of BLM?

Also curious to see how other people play it in PvP, maybe some people have some basic tips for the job? I got some questions about skills in particular;

Fire 2 and Flare, are they important or do people skip these completely in PvP?

Aetheric Burst, should it be tossed on specific targets like healers/mages with cast times, or do people mostly just use it as AOE dmg/instant burst?

Freeze is great, but Blizzard 2? Do people use it? Feels like it's got some self-peel potential but right now I just have it collecting dust in the corner of my hotbar

Thunder 1/2/3? I don't use any.

I'd also love some tips for stats, like VIT accessories or damage all the way, and if I should be investing PvP points into stats or always max out the PvP skills before putting into stats. Would love some help, thanks!