tommeagher/#NICAR18 advice

## #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.
	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.