Running Solo Practice Sessions

Solo practice is where you build the muscle memory and confidence needed for high-stakes whiteboard challenges. Here's how to make your individual sessions as effective as possible.

Setting Up for Success

Create the Right Environment

• Use a physical whiteboard or large paper if possible
• Have a pen or marker ready — sticky notes and colorful markers are nice to have
• Set up a timer to practice working within constraints
• Remove distractions (phone, notifications, etc.)
• Consider recording yourself to review your performance

The Solo Practice Structure

Pre-Challenge (3 minutes)

• Review the challenge and set your timer
• Get your materials organized
• Take a deep breath and focus

During the Challenge

• Try talking out loud through entire process like someone is watching, this might sound crazy but this habit will be helpful in interviews
• Resist the urge to restart - work with your initial direction
• Note areas where you feel stuck or uncertain
• Push through to completion even if you're not satisfied

Post-Challenge Review (10 minutes)

• Assess your process against the fundamental framework
• Identify specific areas for improvement
• Note what went well and what you'd do differently
• Document insights for future reference

Advanced Solo Techniques

The Devil's Advocate Method

After completing a challenge, argue against your own solution. What would someone critique? How would you respond?

Multiple Solutions Approach

Set aside extra time to quickly sketch 2-3 alternative solutions after your main one. This builds flexibility and creative confidence.

Constraint Variation

Take the same challenge and practice it with different time limits or additional constraints to build adaptability.

The Teach-Back Method

After completing a challenge, explain your solution to an imaginary colleague or client. This builds presentation confidence.

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a Practice Journal

• Date and challenge completed
• Key insights or learnings
• Areas that felt difficult
• Solutions or techniques that worked well
• Questions that came up during the process

Skill-Specific Metrics

• Time to understand the problem (aim to improve speed)
• Number of solution alternatives generated
• Clarity of final presentation (record and review)
• Confidence level throughout the process

Common Solo Practice Pitfalls

Perfectionism

Don't restart challenges when you make mistakes. Learn to work with imperfect starts.

Skipping the Hard Parts

Practice the parts you're worst at, not just the parts you enjoy.

No Time Pressure

Always use a timer. Real challenges have deadlines.

Working in Isolation

Even solo practice benefits from occasional feedback. Share your work with peers or mentors.

When You Feel Stuck

• Take small notes of what you have in mind and clear your thoughts
• Switch to a different part of the problem
• Sketch something, anything, to get unstuck
• Ask yourself: "What would [role model] do here?"
• Remember: the goal is learning, not perfection
• Thinking loudly sometimes helps clarify your mind

Solo practice builds the foundation. The more you practice alone, the more confident and skilled you'll be when others are watching.