Note to self for #NICAR16

#NICAR18 advice

Next year, try to:

* Drink more water. 
* Drink less coffee, beer and whiskey.
* Eat a vegetable, it won't kill you.
* Get up and hit the gym in the morning.
* Leave the hotel at least once every day.
* Bring extra charging cords and a powerstrip. Write your name on the supplies you lend out. (@ecarewgrovum)
* Eat meals with parties of 4. It's much easier to get a table in a busy town. For big groups, just get drinks.
* Split into smaller groups, if you take a large party to dinner, and you have to wait forever. (@chrislkeller)
* Nap for at least 15 minutes during the lunch break each day (while charging devices). (@JuliaJRH & @KarrieK)
* Research nearby coffee spots. To avoid long lines for bad coffee, bring your own supplies. (@hbillings)
* Carry snacks for the times you're hungry, and the food line is just too long. (@elainewong)
* Think of lightning talk ideas throughout the year, and pitch at least one.
* Be aware that DST starts again on the Saturday night/Sunday morning of #NICAR16. This will bite you.
* Sleep at least 6-7 hours every night.
* Set a time to go to bed, and stick to it. (@roncampbell)
* Join games, even if you aren't experienced. People are nice and will teach you. (@reefdog)
* Preserve your voice. Talk less; listen more.
* Thank every IRE staffer you see. They work incredibly hard to make the conference fantastic. (@stevenrich)
* Catch up with old friends when you see them. With a conference this size, you might not get a second chance.
* Meet as many new friends and young journalists as you can. It's one of the best parts of NICAR. 
* Listen to @sstirling's weather reports to avoid winter storms that could delay conference travel.

• Nap for at least 15 minutes during the lunch break each day (while charging devices).

• If you find yourself in a large group for dinner, and the wait time drags on, suggest splitting up into smaller groups.

• bring some snacks for the times you're hungry and the food line is just too long.

Added suggestions from @JuliaJRH, @chrislkeller & @elainewong. Thanks!

Research the coffee situation beforehand. If no good independent shops, bring your own supplies so you don't have to wait in a 20-minute hotel Starbucks line.

Set a time to go to bed, and stick to it.

Bring extra power bricks for charging devices. Bring extra apple chargers. Bring a powerstrip (? maybe this is overkill...). Bring a sharpie to write your name on ALL YOUR STUFF that you might lend out.

Thank every IRE staff member you see. They work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make the conference fantastic.

That's a really solid list, @tommeagher.

This is a bit more general practice security, but I found it comforting to use a VPN while on hotel/random Wifi. Suggested: the dead-easy Cloak (getcloak.com).

And if you hear about games, join them, even if you aren't experienced. People are nice and will teach you.

Thanks, @reefdog, @stevenrich, @ecarewgrovum, @roncampbell, @hbillings! I added your great suggestions.

Don't forget to brush your teeth. Your dentist will thank you.

Looks like we're spared the NICAR DST shift this year: It's happening next week (March 12).

Attend one of the longer hands-on classes that require pre-registration. It offers you the time to dig in and truly learn a new skill.