The time for planning has come and gone. It’s go time. The summer concert season is already in full swing. If this column is your first warning of the upcoming season then chances are you’ve already missed a show that you would have liked. It’s not too late though. With some careful planning, you could ensure that the rest of your summer is filled with good music instead of regret (unless you’re me and the regret is unavoidable). The real key to a successful summer is preparedness. Being ready can mean the difference between a crazy weekend in Chicago and curing in your own salt over the summer. Surprisingly, everything you need to know about being prepared for this summer can be boiled down to three rules.

1. Do your homework

This is probably the easiest part. Nobody knows what kind of music you like better than you. There are a ton of resources available that allow you to search for upcoming tour and festival dates. I would list some of them but….I’m not your personal assistant. Use the Internet to your advantage. You can never do enough research when it comes to a concert you want to go to. Information like venue locations, ticket prices, parking, what’s allowed on festival grounds, even the kind of stage presence an artist or group has are all accessible online. DON’T BE LAZY!

Another important aspect of this research is to buy your tickets as soon as possible. There’s nothing worse than wanting to go to a sold out show when you had the chance to buy them. Don’t let this be you! If the tickets are for sale, scoop them up if you have the money. The worst that could happen is that you end up not being able to go to the show, at which point you can easily (if you have decent taste in music) give the tickets to a friend or another interested party. I don’t support scalping in any way, shape or form, but….use your best judgment.

2. Know your limits

With every new situation, comes a new set of limitations. Knowing what you can and can’t do when it comes to a concert or festival is crucial. I, for one, HATE camping at festivals. The crazy part is that I really don’t mind the actual notion of camping, I just feel like nobody should be forced to deal with the woes that go with festival camping. Loud neighbors, awkward situations and dealing with other people’s hygiene are commonplace in that kind of setting. No bueno. Speaking of hygiene, going for more than a day without a hot shower makes me irritable and miserable. That being said, I know not to attend festivals that require that without booking a hotel or knowing a place nearby to shower. Don’t even get me started about public showers…blek.

This rule applies to more than just setting. Despite your presumably impeccable taste in music, you might not be able to get a wingman. If you don’t want to be “that guy” that shows up to festivals alone, you might want to get a partner in crime squared away immediately just to cover all bases. If the show is a few hour-drive away from where you live, you’re going to need somebody to share the driving duty (or at least furnish the snacks). Keeping all of these things in mind when making your plans is a must.

3. Essentials first, then the extras

When it comes to packing for the festival that’s sure to make your summer, remember the essentials first. Clothes, personal hygiene products and items of the like are all things that we take for granted far too often. Brushing your teeth is far more important than hula hooping in the grand scheme of things. Sunglasses, sunscreen and earplugs are just some of the things you’re going to need to have a good time. It helps to make a list! I’ll even give you a free one, SUNSCREEN! I know I already mentioned this but being red and peeling everywhere isn’t a good look.

Hopefully you’ll be able to squeak by this summer by following these rules. If you mess up, don’t sweat it! Every mistake is just another step toward being a pro. You can do it.