In our second annual guide to surviving the behemoth that is South By Southwest, we bring you more ways to ensure that your spring break will be one to remember. As long as you know what to expect, are prepared for anything and dress appropriately, you should have no trouble enjoying one of the entertainment industry’s biggest annual gatherings.

Start Early

One of the advantages of living in a town like Austin is that the laid-back atmosphere is pretty accomodating to those who decide to show up to things at the last minute. However, with multitudes of badge toting out-of-towners walking the streets, not to mention the thousands searching for something to do without the luxury of a badge, chances are good that the day show you were thinking about casually walking up to at 5 p.m. will be packed or at capacity by the time you get there. If you find something that you really want to be a part of, say a day party or movie screening that is accepting ticket purchases, do yourself a favor and show up early. Sure, you may look awkward at first, standing against a wall on Red River or Sixth Street outside a venue, but when you’re in the first row and are assured that you won’t be turned down at the door, you will immediately forget those slight discomforts.

Take the Bus

If you think trying to park downtown on a regular weekend is hard, then you’re in for a world of hurt if you think that SXSW will be any easier. For only $9, you can get a 7-day bus pass from HEB and save yourself a decent chunk of change on gas and parking, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you don’t have to leave what you’re doing to fill a meter. Like we suggested last year, parking on campus and taking the L1 or M1 bus straight down Congress is a surefire way to get downtown headache free and with full pockets.

Bring a Swag Bag

Speaking of pockets, there’s a good chance yours won’t be able to fit all the promo CDs, stickers and other various knickknacks that come from going to a SXSW event. While it may be a hassle to carry around initially, a backpack or messenger bag is a great way to ensure that every last oddity collected makes it home with you. They’re also great places to store a lunch or keep your belongings safe from overzealous festival goers. As long as you keep a close eye on it or keep it on you at all times, a bag can be the difference between saying yes to that record label’s limited press cassette and embarrassingly telling the representative that you can’t possibly carry any more stuff.

Don’t Over (Or Under) Dress

Last year’s cold front at the end of the festival shocked even the most weather-tested of attendees, and it reminded people that it is never safe to assume that March in Texas means it will be sunny and 80 degrees every day. A quick trick to ensure comfort is to check the weather when you get your early start and before walking out the door to ride the bus. If it looks like it may get colder throughout the day, put a sweater in your swag bag. If warmer temperatures are in store, stuff in an extra shirt in case you get sweaty. Jeans are always a great idea, but shorts or skirts are acceptable as long as it’s not 40 degrees outside. Remember, as long as you don’t run into Joan Rivers or Perez Hilton, you don’t have to worry about being the most stylish person in the world. Your comfort is an integral part of ensuring you have a great experience, so leave the golden spandex and revealing outfits to the performers.

Bring an Open Mind

Especially in regards to the music portion of SXSW, having an open mind when attending events can make them that much more memorable. You could bear witness to the next big thing, reevaluate a group you were lukewarm about as a result of a performance or find your favorite new band during the festivities. Many groups see SXSW as a proving ground, so expect to see many of them on top of their game. Additionally, it makes your experience more enjoyable if you give every group a chance and come to your own conclusions. You should take this open-minded mentality into the way you go about experiencing the festival as well. Be prepared for long lines, annoying banter from people around you, better-than-thou media types and that one person who just insists on bellowing “Play Freebird!” to every band he sees. Just keep your mind at ease, keep your composure and you won’t snap in front of a bunch of strangers. Hopefully, the event itself will drown the annoying ones out anyway.