Go on a multi leg multi day XC asap. Find an out of state friend you want to visit. Or just a resort with a pool you want to take a dip in. Anything. Too many private pilots have 300hr logs and they rarely even left their city.

You will learn more about general aviation practice in that “single” flight than you did in all your training.

I’m no pro. Lots of more accomplished pilots here. But I’m proud that out of my 250 some hours logged that I have 150 of them as long XC adventures.

Mountains, big water, interesting scenarios (puking, emergency bathroom, etc…). I remember one time picking up a plane with some other club pilots we had a back seater with a womanly emergency. We were at 8000 feet directly over an airport. I was flying. A fast circling descent with 3 other club pilots judging my every move was an interesting experience.

Another long XC with just friends I remember really needing a #2 and we were peddling as fast as the go kart would take us. Got to final and they made us right 360 for a citation. At the time I did what the tower told us but if the situation happened today based on the previous experience I’d tell them to pound sand and I’m going to land first if you know what I mean and I think you do.

You can’t learn this in a book. Go fly!