Hello, I'm new to the forums and a lvl 8 Wood Elf. I wanted to start off as a thief (I know there were 3 options: khajit, wood elf, and some other race that have the proficiency for thieving) so on my way to Riverwood I activated the Thief Stone thingy. Later on found out that spells were more usefull in battles so I combined my axe with the only offensive spell I hard (Flames) till this lvl (8). Now it's hard to decide wether to keep my path as a thief or join the mage college of winterhold or do both.

What do you guys suggest about this matter? And any other suggestions where I can get spells and improve my proficiency as a thief+mage?

Also, heard somewhere that at the begining of the game there was a Shock/Lightning Spell that I could've learned but missed. Any chance that I can get that back, will it be in the same place? Will I get arrested or something if I go back, or is the place locked up and inaccesible?

Thanks in advance!

You can go back to Helgen after your initial escape, Wether or not the spelltome will still be there, I don't know. the Sparks tome isn't that expensive so you're better off buying it.

You can join both the College and the thieves guild, Besides, illusion for one is ace for thief/assassin-like playstyles.
You just have a limited amount of perks you can chose from, that's all. Doesn't mean you can't get the skills to 100.

That's the beauty of Skyrim.

Welcome to the forum!
You can change to a different stone later so don't worry about your choice so mutch. If you are joining the Thieves Guild use the Thief stone. When you want to try your hand at magic return and switch. There are many others to find too

if you are a new player to skyrim itll be best to stick with a solid build not a hybrid depending on the difficulty you are playing on, also you can buy stronger spells as you advance in the tied skill, you can buy spells from castle mages, junk traders and from the mages guild when you join. also the spell that you missed you can buy from any trader