[Billfred]

Other things I've learned over the years:

1) If it's possible, get to events. Sometimes, just looking at robots in action does a world of good. (I never fully understood the power of four-bar linkages until I saw 1902 in action this year.)

2) Keep a camera handy. If you come across something and think "Hey, this could be handy for something", snap a picture. I did that the first Saturday in build while doing my next point:

3) Know what's in your area. In the case of 1618 last year, our options for materials were to find it in the room, get it at the little True Value up the road, get it at Lowe's further down the road in the other direction, or get it online. I walked the entirety of the local Lowe's, just to know what's around. While it's nice to be able to get stuff off of McMaster-Carr, it's even nicer to be able to run to the store, get the part, and not have to wait until the next meeting to get it. (Time is one of your resources. Treasure it.)

4) Pick the brain of anybody you can. There are a lot of people out there who've been in this competition far longer than I have, and they've got a lot of knowledge. Whether it's in the pits, over dinner, or even standing in the middle of a street at 4:00 in the morning*, listen to these folks. Quite often, it will be to your benefit.

*No, I'm not kidding.