So I got this game like last week for the PC. The first character I made, and my only character so far is level 26 and I have spent like 25 hours on the game. He is an Imperial spellsword. My problem is, I'm noticing how weak the destruction spells that I'm using are. I thought that maybe when I reach expert level destruction, it would become strong again with the next set of spells. I'm hearing about how destruction is just plain bad though unless you wear mage robes and enchant stuff, which I don't want to do because I can't wear robes if I'm a spellsword because I use a sword too and I have to be able to hold my own in face to face battles. I also notice that adept destro spells can only be cast 3-4 times before I lose magicka, so expert will probably be worse. If I'm not going to enchant stuff and wear magical robes or whatever, is using magic in high levels worth the time? Would I be better off just making a full warrior/archer instead of spellsword?

In a game like this you can still make it work and win, but if your not happy with your character thats a different story, but i definetly think you'll still be able to get through the game.

The weak destruction magic is more of a problem for pure mages that don't have combat to support them. But as you are on the PC there is a couple of MODs that balance destruction magic that you may want to look at.

Check out the Strong Destruction mod on Nexus. It'll makes Destruction work for your sellsword, er, spellsword. ;-P

Enchant your armor with magika reduce or fortify destruction.

You could always use enchanting to make it more practical, but I've enjoyed more success with different schools of magic. Conjuration and Illusion both work pretty well with one-handed fighters; I've got a Redguard using Axes and Illusion spells and he just humiliates every enemy I've come across.

Enchanting is probably one of the best ways to help your characters destruction spells, but since you're on PC, the Mod's might make you much happier. I started out as a destruction/one-handed build, but i'm slowly moving towards conjurer/one-handed with a shield. It's nice to be able to just move between classes as long as you haven't dumped to many points into perks on specific skill.

Without enchantement playing a destro mage is problematic. Mods will fix this: check out the Improved Destruction, Balanced Magic or Better Magic on Nexus.