Conventions of any kind can be exciting. Cosplaying to these conventions is even more exciting. This is just a list of things I wish I would have known before I went to my first convention back in 2012.
1. Friends! Even if you don't plan on going in cosplay, it's still incredibly important to travel with a group. If that group is just you and one buddy, that's fine, but it's more of a safety issue than anything else. While these conventions are exciting and are definitely worth going to, they're still incredibly packed full of people. Not all of them mean you any harm, but it's always important to think about your safety first.
2. Respect! Conventions are amazing. There's tons of new people dressed up as characters who you might know and love, but it's important to remember that everyone is different, and might not react to you the same way. Some people might let you hug them, but it's incredibly important to ALWAYS address the person before the character, and ask permission if you plan to invade their personal space in anyway.
3. Money! It might seem kind of odd that money would be on this list, but it's pretty important. Before you go to a con, if you've never been, it's good to know that the prices for everything are pretty high. Food is especially pricey if you choose to buy it at the con. For this reason, the majority of cosplayers and other con goers normally go out to the local restaurants. But it's not just food, it's everything. Just be warned.
4. Panels! Panels are those fun things that the con-goers put together for other con-goers, but not everyone is aware that the schedule is online on the majority of the con websites beforehand. Anything con related you could probably find online these days. Past years pictures, the panels, registeration to get your ticket, hotel prices... These are all things to consider when you think about going to a con.
Even though conventions of any kind can be expensive, they're always worth it in the end. I speak from experience. My con friends, even though we rarely see each other, are some of the best people I know. It's time to get out there and live to the fullest.
