What lv is your staff? Is it +3 or anything like this. I think after lv 36 a good staff is needed to do enough damage, you will 1hit every mob, even some lv over yours with fire bolt with a good staff. What is about your equip, is it up-to-date at all? If you are able to 1hit normal mobs without Life Control you shouldnt use it. I always used it only at mobs without giants (maongs, sonars, sniper etc). Otherwise you will die too fast at giants (these situations are mostly really luck if you survive, they deal great damage) or an additonal champion. Beware of pt mobs. I don't attack them (with sbot you can switch that attack option off). Bad if there are giants/champs in these spots.
Otherwise noise will help you not dying.
Ye, my wiz/bard did also die sometimes in D5 and higher. In D8 it did really balance.
(mby my set is a reason. equip doesnt matter, its only npc since D7, but my staff is everytime +3, since D8 i use a sosun staff but even a +3 - +5 is enough to 1hit mobs at your own lvl).
edit: very important thing: check your accessorys, they are very very important improving your defense!
