Freshly certified this spring, followed a few experienced divers and struggled with newbies like myself.....learned skills in class, but wasn't skilled.
I spent most of a day ( and 2 80cf tanks) practicing every em proceedure I was taught, seen, read, or heard about. First at 5 feet, then every 5 feet to 25 feet (10 times). Bored bride on the dock got a couple books read, watching my bubbles., and I became comfortable with gear and emergencies. I stopped one buddy doing an out of control assent, which I don't think I could have prior to that solo serious practice time before hand.
Would have learned more and been safer if I had a patient, experienced diver to critique my skills, now that i have a couple.
Solo was, for me, the time to practice skills so I actually could call them skills, not classroom or open water theory. Diving is for buddies to have serious fun!l