Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

here is couple more

• you can NEVER finish your robot too early
• AlWAYS give your programers alot of time to test, if you want a reliable code and robot
• if the code don't work, check the robot(eps. wiring, sensors) as well as your code
• plan out everything before you start
• make sure the radio is plugged in before every match
• and AT LEAST test your autonomous code once, no matter in however a big of rush you're in

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I'm going to immodestly bump this thread from last season. I think it contains some really good advice, especially for rookie teams.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

In response to seven, as a rookie team, this is an issue we are facing. The following happened at our sunday meet:

After 2 hours of group discussions (everyone who showed up) the mentors went into the next room and decided that we would be building a corner scorer, not giving the kids a choice (though the kids would have voted for it anyway, as none of the mentors recommended a shooter). I wrote a long e-mail to my team detailing why that was a mistake.

So my question is, sure kids should listen to mentors, but aren't there going to be some times when adults need to do things (such as dangerous machining, electrical stuff?)? For example, noone on our team has learned CAD (unfortuneately). We had plans to learn it, but the software came about 1 1/2 months later than expected.

And #8 is just great =)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Paul, this is a great topic. Why not start a thread just for this, so the "101 things" thread doesn't get off-track? Thanks!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

You WILL loose your voice.

Hunger and thirst will disappear, but continue to eat and drink in normal intervals. Don't over/under eat.

Wash those hands! Don't get sick!

Bring eye glass wash to the competitions to keep those safety glasses clean!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

This is something I learned the hard way at my first event (BattleCry @ WPI)...

-Don't run down steep bleachers carrying 80 lbs of luggage and computer equiptment, because spraining your ankle less than three minutes into your first-ever FIRST event is not all that fun.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I'm saying this one from a couple experiences of mine.

*Get plenty of sleep before the events. I ended up falling asleep during the Boilermaker Regional last year and ended up missing lunch and one of our matches, and at West Michigan I almost missed the bus because I slept in. :p

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Bring white boards and markers. My team has done this since the first year we were competing. We use them to go over strategy with other teams, as well as to post when our matches are, with what teams, against what teams, and what color our alliance is.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

[quote=aaeamdar]
So my question is, sure kids should listen to mentors, but aren't there going to be some times when adults need to do things (such as dangerous machining, electrical stuff?)?
[quote]

Yes. There is no blueprint for how a team is formed and run.
The key to FIRST's success is the work of over 25,000 volunteer mentors, professional engineers, teachers, and other adults working with students .

Communication is what this is about.

Back to the list.... (might want to check out "18 hints for rookie teams from NEMO" in the white papers)

Lots of mentors and other adults read as well as post on chief delphi.
-Judges read chief delphi.
-Every individual post reflects back on your team.
-Judges really want to know about your team, your robot, your business plan, etc. Help them. Lots of hints on this in other posts.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

>Drink lots of water (It's amazing how everyone can say this now, but I'll still forget)
>Those little foam earplugs are nice (They get rid of the loud noises, but you can still hear people talking to you)
>If the code worked during practice, check hardware before the code
>Get cell phone numbers of as many people on your team as possible. Put these on a small list and distribute to your team.


This shouldn't be something you have to worry about, but: When using free wireless internet, everything you send can be intercepted (Unless the site is https). Again, you shouldn't have to worry about this.. not at a FIRST event.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

When going to a competition Venue, Travel Light, at least with personal items. If you can leave your coats in the bus/car/van/practice robot. Take only what you must have, Notebook, Pen/Pencil, Camera (Digital preferable), Wallet, Water Bottle (say good bye to your voice) and Laptop if needed. Other than that you won't need other personal items (leave your food in the car, run out and get it at lunch time)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Those are probably the best things anyone can do (I sort of disagree on the food part, expecially at the Detroit Regional where you might have to park about a mile away). Now I'm not saying that that will happen, but if there is another big event at the same time, Don't be surprised!

P.S. Where is the link to the website that had all these things listed?

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

-dont let the engineers completely design and build the robot
-let the whole team get involved in the planning and building process
-understand how to use a machine properly and safely before using it (mangled fingers...not fun)
-remember that everyone's opinion matters
-dont wait until the thursday of your first regional to install 2 speed gear boxes
-always read the updates on the FIRST website
-take advantage of all the amazing things CD has to offer :]

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

NEVER FALL ASLEEP AT A FIRST COMPETITION (PICTURES! )

Continue to participate in FIRST after high school (mentor/volunteer)
Don't assume you can eat lunch at Subway (VCU).. everyone else thought the same thing.