If you're anything like me, the idea of going to a conference is a new one. Before Tuesday night, it was a mere figment of my imagination. However, on February 7th I hopped on a plane without my parents for the first time in my 20 years and headed to Washington D.C. for the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) 50th conference at the Washington Convention Center.

It was large and filled with so many books I was easily overwhelmed. I spent money I probably shouldn't have spent on books that I will not read until the summer when I am a less busy college student, but I can say it was worth it.

Since this was my first conference and, most likely, not my last, there are a few things I wish I had known that I learned the hard way on my 4 days of non-academic bliss.

1) Don't stay in a hostel.

My group and I didn't realize we were attending the conference until mid-November. That means all the cheap rooms in nicer hotels/motels/Airbnbs were sold out or jacked up so high for that particular week that no one could rationalize spending $400/night for 3 days. We decided to stay at a hostel in a private room.

Now hostels in Europe are WAY different than hostels in the United States for one reason, they are much nicer.

I could feel the springs in my mattress. Some nights the room was as hot as the Sahara Desert in the summer and other nights it was so cold that the one worn out comforter they gave me couldn't stop me from shivering.

Safe to say, I just couldn't get comfortable. The best and most important advice I can give you is to book your hotel a good six to eight months in advance. You will definitely get a hotel where you can control the temperature settings for an affordable price.

2) Wear sensible shoes with socks.

The first day in Washington D.C. was a stark difference in temperature than Plattsburgh. I was able to walk outside with just a t-shirt and jeans on, no jacket, in the middle of February. AND I WAS SWEATING.

We basked in the warm weather by walking a total of 13 miles (according to my Fitbit app) around Washington D.C. We saw the National Archives, someone sold me a hat stitched with the American flag on the steps of the National Museum of Natural History, I Facetimed my sister and my dad so they could experience the Washington Monument with me, and I stood on the National Mall. It was awesome taking in the diverse culture of Washington D.C., but man was my feet killing me.

I had only packed boots because I was coming from 20-degree weather and copious amounts of snow descending from the sky. It was too hot to wear wool socks and duck boots around Washington D.C. The only other shoes I had packed were slippers with fur on them and flats I've had since junior year of high school.

I opted for the flats and I'm still regretting the decision. I got blisters on my toes from walking around D.C. and walking around the vast conference center the next day. BRING SNEAKERS. That's all I have to say.

3) Be prepared to spend A LOT of money.

I won't say how much I spent on my 4 day trip to D.C., but my bank account is crying. I did not budget and I seriously regret that. I allowed my overwhelmed state take over my debit card in order to find comfort in books, really delicious Italian food, and some seriously cute clothes from Urban Outfitters. Do I regret any of it? Not particularly and that's kind of the problem.

Budget. Budget! BUDGET.

4) Don't waste your time and money on conference center food.

Conference center food is expensive AF and tastes just as crappy as campus food. You are not on campus and therefore shouldn't have to suffer that way. Go outside the conference center for a much more affordable and better tasting meal. I spent $13.00 on an average chicken club and overcooked French fries! You deserve better.

5) Really enjoy yourself.

This happened naturally for me, but the first day of the conference was a lot and I had a hard time coping. Conferences have a lot of humans in one space, has tons of merch at a reasonable price, and has many things to do in a short amount of time. I spent the first day attempting to take it all in at once and I ended up seriously exhausted by 3 in the afternoon, went back to the hostel, and passed out for two hours.

Take your time taking in everything and know that coffee and cherry danishes will only go so far. Go slowly through the booths without your wallet, go to a few panels, and head over to the quiet room for a bit if needed.

All in all, the conference was fantastic and Washington D.C. is beautiful. I had a wonderful time at the AWP, meeting writers and tabling for Plattsburgh local literary journal, Saranac Review. I will definitely be attending the AWP once more in the next few years!