I am going to my first con this week. Any advice from people who have done this sort of thing before?

Oh, my goodness! Let's see - stay hydrated; pace yourself in the Dealers' Room; remember to eat; see if you can pick out what you'd like to see in terms of the scheduled events ahead of time so you can work out your timing...

Shower at least once a day, eat at least twice a day.

Nutmeg : That shouldn’t be an issue for me, though those types of people will give me flashbacks of college.

Tanarian : Ell and I are definitely planning to do many of those things. We will also note the location of their mental health chill-out lounge because just seeing a Dealers’ Room will be stressful for them.

Great idea. I reckon most amateur cons are more sensitive to that sort of thing.

Don't skimp on sleep or personal hygiene, even if others do. TAKE SNACKS! Food is usually inconvenient and/or pricey.

Study the schedule - you'll not be able to be everywhere at once, so choose events wisely, and when you arrive, walk around and make sure you know where all the rooms are.

I hope you both have a grand time! Completely agree that planning your schedule ahead of time will be helpful otherwise it can be overwhelming.

Exhale and inhale

Leave yourselves open for unexpected fun and lifelong friends! It can happen!

Continuously

dkronfeld : While masked, of course

Of course!

Comfy supportive shoes.

You might be standing/walking more than you expect.

I have BADGES!

We don't need no steekin' badges!

Qwis : yay!!!