First of all, congratulations!
Second, I was going to yell PERSONA 4 PERSONA 4 PLAY PERSONA 4!!! buuuuut I guess the fact that you didn't like P3 doesn't really help.
I can completely understand where you're coming from with the time management thing between the three grinding stats. Now, know that maxing all social links on the first playthrough is next to impossible (actually I think it
is impossible), and though I haven't played Persona 3, in P4 social links aren't
that important.
In the long run it is certainly convenient to be able to fuse a persona and get a 5 level EXP boost because it happens to be of an arcana that you have a decent social link in, but it is by no means necessary. I'd say stick to your team members' Social links and you'll be fine (In P4 at least, dunno about 3).
Seriously, give it a whirl

It's a blast!
Fingers crossed for some Persona 5 details coming E3 >.<