Quest/Mission playing strategy suggestions

I'm at the Nadia(sp) Academy and was just wondering if it's best to do all the side quests at each new location before moving on and doing more missions, or to just do all the missions and go back for the side quests?

oh, and how long do these missions get?! last one I did probly took a good hour and a half with a full party! (the one with Prince Rurik)

It is boring to run around with a high level character in low level areas, where the monsters provide no challenge and give zero exp. Do the quests first, or not at all.

Prince Ruric is in multiple missions...

Actually I'd do it the other way. It can sometimes be very difficult to find people willing to go out and do quests that they don't have (skill/profession quests). Even with henchmen these areas can be very difficult without a real party. I'd at least move on a few missions and then come back when you can't find a party for a mission (or you're bored with 'em).

well im thinking about at least getting to Yaks Bend because I've been reading so much about how the game changes after that. then i'll come back for some more side quests when im bored

I usually gather all quests from NPCs that I can. Doing this I make it easy for myself, I don't have to return and search for a new quest whenever I want to do one. It's easy to see which town you got the quest in, and the quest description explains all of it.

Perhaps it's boring later on when you are higher level as it will be an overkill, but it's better to do them later than not at all.