On your character sheet it tells you how much experience you need to get to the next level. You should not be taking on assignments yet take a look a this advice, Text Role-playing Games: Reading vs Comprehension plus your advisor should be mentioning that although I don't if each advisor gives you different tips.
I like how I follow Hunter's link and it the first thing I see is JB berating me for not reading more. (Laugh). I saw the experience level, I was wondering more if there are variables to the type of training I'm doing, or if jobs give more. I suppose I could test that in a little bit though, yeah - I'll do that, actually.
Wizard, for sure. I have spent more time and gold trying to diversify my skills right now, though. Some of them I don't even know how practical they will wind up being, but I figure that it's important to be able to sign letters in a fancy script, cook an edible dish and to know history. That said, I've got a full kit of leather armor, a sword, and a shield. I'd hate to be assassinated, considering there are assassins in the enemy index. It's quite a bother.
Yeah this game is about reading, lots of it. After playing for a long time I see where I made big mistakes only to know I was warned before. Of course I've died a few times as well so sometimes I can be thick. One thing I also learned is the game gives a lot of options but it doesn't mean its important for your character.
No worries JB, I was being tongue in cheek when I said it was berating me personally. I scrolled through the first six or so replies too. You're correct in that there is a difference though, akin to hearing but not listening (*ahem*, my daughter hears that one all the time)
Hunter, that is so true. I figure cooking might be important on adventures, because it's not likely that there will be a convenient tavern out in the wilderness - at least not many. I was torn on the calligraphy, but I think it's more a mid-late game thing. Figure I'd take a few just in case. As for history, I don't know how helpful that'll ever be, but I like real-world history a lot and it's been helpful to me. Even if it's not ever helpful, it reflects me a little better.