Spring convention season is officially upon us! Maybe you just got back from your convention, or maybe it's coming up this weekend. Here are 10 tips to make leaving and coming home go just a little smoother: 

Before you leave:

1. Go shopping! Take your friends with you to Target and grab a cart! Fill it with snacks, energy drinks, clothes for your block party theme, and restock on travel-size essentials!

2. Make a list of everything you need to pack in your notes app.  This helps you get excited AND stay organized. If you want to take it to the next level, you can even write down the specific hoodies and pants you want to bring!

3. CLEAN. YOUR. ROOM. After the weekend you just had, all you're going to want to do is get in bed and sleep. Coming home and opening your door to see a clean room and your bed made is such a relief to see. After all, your convention clothes are going to end up everywhere before you begin to put things away 3 days later. 

4. Charge everything. The night before the convention, take 10 minutes to find your portable charger, your digital camera, and your AirPods. Plug everything in right next to each other so you remember to take it all with you on the bus the next day.

5. Prepare yourself. Drink lots of water and eat healthy foods the week leading up to the convention. We all know the only thing we eat all weekend is energy drinks and candy. Go to bed wayyy earlier than you think you need to. If you're as excited for conventions as I am, it'll take a while for you to fall asleep! 

When you get back: 

1. Tell your parents everything. Our parents are so proud to send us to a community like BBYO; most of them wish they had the chance to participate when they were our age. Even though you just got back and you're tired, tell them the best parts of the weekend- they'll appreciate it. 

2. Sleep. As soon as you're back from the convention, hop into your bed and go to sleep. Lots of us come back from convention feeling achy and sick, so if you need to, take the next day off from school too. Turn on the fan, get a glass of water, and just sleep. 

3. Reminice. Grab your digital camera and adapter, and upload all your photos. Look through your hundreds of Shabbat and block party photos, and add your favorite ones to an album to post. Watch all your TikTok drafts, Snapchat vlogs, and you won't even feel like you left convention!

4. Unpack. After you sleep and recharge, it's time to start unpacking. Although it's sad, because it means convention is really over, you'll feel a lot cleaner and more organized when you do it.

5. Text everyone. Send them a text telling them you miss them already, and you can't wait until you see them next.