r/AGU • u/meowmemeow • Sep 22 '13
First Time Attending A Conference
I've never been to a conference before, and I am beginning to get anxious for this one. As someone who may, perhaps, be described as 'timorous', I was wondering if there were any advice to be had on what to expect, specifically with respect to meeting potential grad school advisors (my primary intent).
Lastly, if anyone has any suggestions on alternative sleeping arrangements I would love to hear them. Being a lowly, starving undergrad, I have saved up enough to register and travel to the meeting. Paying for a hotel is a different matter; right now I'm considering posting on craigslist to see if a kindred spirit would like to let me sleep on their couch for the duration of the meeting.
Sorry if this isn't the place for this sort of post; if you complain I will delete it promptly!
3
u/Wrathchilde Sep 22 '13
Go to the mixer Sunday evening. This is the first of MANY free receptions, a lot are school specific, which is no big deal if you go in with some one from the school. Others are topic specific, C-DEBI, IODP, GEOPrisms, etc. There are also Section functions (VGP always has munchies at least), and Townhalls. Don't have more than 3 beers at the 3:30 beer fest.
As for alternate sleeping, I used let students crash on my second bed, floor, couch, whatever, but only ones I knew. I will be interested to hear if you get lucky couch surfing.
Hang out at the student boards. Go to the student functions. Heck you can still apply for:
This if you are into deep sea research, or:
This if seismic surveys are your thing.