There's been a fair amount going on in the fandom recently, so I haven't got round to posting another of these. Time to rectify that.
Tip 7: Pace yourself – and take some breaks
A full weekend of solid ponying is actually quite a long time, especially if you stay from start to finish on both days. It's immensely tempting to spend the entire time active, especially given the con experience is like nothing else, but if you do you'll be asking for trouble. You really do need to avoid trying to run at 100% intensity all the time, otherwise your body's going to start complaining at you pretty fast.
Once you've registered and got your con pass round your neck, you're free to wander in and out of the venue as the mood takes you. The location this year is a bit less conducive than some to taking quick breaks, since it's a fair walk to anything of interest and much of the UWE campus will be off-limits to us. However, even a few moments out in the fresh air can work wonders. (Okay, freshish, given that it's by a busy main road!)
Food, which I'll cover more fully in a later tip, is also a useful way to break up your schedule. Yes, you can take your own in, but actually sitting down for lunch in the café or having a drink at the bar will give you a slight change of scene and a change of pace. After half an hour chatting gently to friends (old or new) you'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle your next session of connery.
Yep, I agree with this whole heartedly. Even sitting down at a panel, you'll be focusing your mind on what's going on, which is mentally tiring in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI believe the committee are introducing more break areas this year, which will be a big help.
Agreed! I saw that news, and I'm very pleased – and having one of those being a quiet area is a great thing, too. IIRC there was a quiet area somewhere at the 2015 con, but you had to wander off into the museum or something last year. This should also help avoid the problem of people chatting through panels and stopping those attending from hearing clearly. So win-win all round. :)
DeleteIf you ever find me at any UK pony convention, I'll probably be ignoring this. I'll be spazzing out because I'm in England and ohmygodhowdidIgettoEnglandthisissoexciting!
ReplyDeleteUnless it's BronyScot, when telling everyone how great England is might not be the best survival strategy. :D
DeleteBut yeah. I mean, I won't be far off that in Bristol, and I've been to Bristol dozens of times. :P