Coachella can throw some serious curveballs at first-timers. And any time you’re out in the desert wylin out with copious amounts of alcohol and Lord-knows-what-else, any missteps can have a much more profound effect on your overall trip.

With this in mind, we figured now would be a tremendous time to round up some of the best advice from around the web so that the rookies don’t screw it up. Consider this your tips n’ tricks guide to surviving the savage festival fury when Coachella 2018 pops off this Friday. (You’re welcome in advance.)

1. Be Smart When Buying Tickets

Don’t set yourself up to be scammed. If you’re looking to acquire a wristband over the net, always do a background check on the individual before committing any money, and request their reservation details so you can ensure everything’s kosher in advance. We also recommend using a ticket broker to insure your purchase, if possible.

2. Coordinate With Your Squad in Advance

Have a general game plan with your crew before each day begins. Cell service sucks a big one at Coachella, so don’t go into the festival believing you can just fire off a bunch of group texts whenever you dang well please. Also, when you do have to attempt a message, text straightforward statements and plans of action—dispense with all small talk and questions. After all, you don’t know when your message will be received. “Hey, meet at ‘X’ place at ‘X’ time’ is an example of a “good” message; “what are you doing/where are you now?” is not.

3. Tote the Right Bag

Yeah, there may be a really cute/fashionable handbag or backpack out there that would look killer, but is it really the correct choice for Coachella? You need something that provides awesome utility—a spot to store your phone, digital camera, chargers, sunglasses, and more. Practicality is the name of the game. And if you don’t have a great bag, make sure you stick your wallet and phone in your FRONT pockets, not your back. They’re harder for some POS to steal that way.

4. Drink a Crap Ton of Water

It’s hot. It’s the desert. You’re already dehydrating yourself with alcohol, so make sure you mix in plentiful amounts of H20 during the heat of the day. A smart rule is to down at least one standard-size water bottle every two hours.

5. Coachella Is Not a Fashion Runway

Yeah, plenty of folks love to post their cutest lil festival outfits on social media, and while it’s ok to pack a couple of these, it’s far more important to bring sensible clothing. Again, you’re in the desert. Pack clothes that deal with direct heat and sunlight well—all-black is not recommended, in other words. And even though there’s heat in the day, bear in mind that the temperatures precipitously dip in the evening, so don’t forget to pack some layers, too. And if you need a place to store these, bear in mind that the festival offers locker rentals.

6. C.R.E.A.M.

It may not be your natural inclination to haul around a bunch of bills at a festival—then again, we don’t know how you roll day-to-day—but hear us out. It’s not a bad idea at Coachella, where the ATM fees can be absurd. So, remember what the Wu Tang Clan taught us and prep accordingly…

7. Beware the Coachella Cough

The “Coachella Cough” is a real thing and it should not be underestimated. Inhaling all the desert dust (and whatever comes with it) at a time when your immune system is hopelessly compromised from whatever-the-hell-it-is-you’ll-be-doing-to-your-body is not a recipe for great health. In fact, many festival goers have reported flu-like symptoms as a result.

Preventative care for the Coachella Cough includes wearing a bandana or face mask over your mouth as you move between stages and, of course, drinking the aforementioned sh** ton of water. After the fact, herbal teas and other hot liquids have been known to soothe the cough, while superfoods like spinach, kale, garlic, turmeric, etc. can aid in recovery. And the best thing of all? GET SOME SLEEP after the festival, you animal.

8. Treat. Yo. Self.

Image credit: Insta's @coachellafoodie

If you’re on a budget and want to stick with smart, inexpensive snacking and such, then that’s cool. But you don’t need to eat like a savage. Coachella is well known for its incredible festival foodie scene thanks to the presence of heralded downtown L.A. eateries. Peep our features here and here from last year that cover the kickass concoctions available. Yeah--no good reason not to treat yoself.

If you’re hankering for more tips, don’t hesitate to check out the Coachella subreddit for more!