By the time you start getting 3rd level spells, your Sorc should be basically unstoppable from there on.
Of course, it really does depend on WHICH spells you choose, for a Sorc.
I personally would recommend a Wizard without a specialty class first, so that you can get a good indepth feel for the magic system and which spells are useful (re: more useful) at each level, so you then know which spells to take as a Sorc.
To avoid taking damage, a combination of meat puppets (re: summons, companions, etc) and defensive spells should do the trick nicely.