Congratulations! You have successfully obtained tickets to the best festival Chicago has to offer! You have the option of seeing so many different and great bands that you're going to have such a great time, guaranteed. But as a rookie, you might not know what to expect, which is where I come in. After compiling advice from myself and others who have survived the three-day extravaganza, here is my best advice on what to bring to Lollapalooza and how to make the most of the festival.

1. Buy shoes you are OK with never using for anything else.

There will be mud, dirt, and unknown liquids (probably beer) everywhere. Your shoes will be ruined. Do yourself a favor and don't ruin your favorite pair. Go ahead and buy a cheap pair at Payless or Amazon and use them solely for Lolla. If you want to get crafty, buy some fabric markers and draw on them. If you go to Lolla again in the years to come, you can use those destroyed shoes again after a quick clean or buy a new pair again. Regardless, you aren't going to want to ruin any pair for a three-day festival.

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2. Invest in a good fanny pack or a Camelbak backpack.

Prior to my first year, I invested in a Camelbak hydration backpack and it was easily one of the best decisions I made for Lolla. I know my friends are partial to a fanny pack and a water bottle (also Camelbak) but I know that for me I would rather have a backpack as you run out of water less often. Also if you bring in a Camelbak (I know, this is basically free advertising for them) you can fill it up at any of the refill stations.

3. Bring a portable phone charger.

You're going to want to take pictures and videos, but your phone will not last all day, even on the lowest brightness. It just won't. Bring a portable charger so that when your phone is low you can keep it alive so you can video that amazing closing number of your favorite headliner.

4. Tape your feet.

For the love of God, just do it going in. Tape your heels and your arches and anywhere else you think might blister or start to hurt. My friends all thought I was crazy year one, but by day three your feet will be hurting. So just bite the bullet and tape them going in. Your feet will be in way better shape as a result of it.

5. Put your phone in a plastic bag.

It might rain, you might spill water in your backpack, someone else might spill on you, the possibilities are endless. So, put your phone in a plastic bag or a waterproof cover to protect it from any leakage that might happen. Nothing would be more disappointing than taking a picture with your favorite artist only to not be able to show it to anyone because your phone is water damaged.

6. Don't take anything in you aren't (potentially) willing to part with.

I have seen people take sunglasses off of other people's faces and dance away. It's not uncommon to lose things at this festival. One year, a girl's Alex & Ani bracelet got stuck to my shirt so I just inherited that. Needless to say, don't take anything in that you aren't willing to accept the risk you might lose. It could happen. It very well might.

7. Have a designated meet-up place for the end of the night.

Chances are you are going to split up from at least part of your group at some point during the day. You probably all don't have the exact same music taste; actually, I would be very surprised if you did. So at the end of the night, have a place to meet up at so you all at least leave the festival together.

8. Be willing to see concerts by yourself.

You paid hundreds of dollars to be at this festival, see who you want to see. It's not the end of the world if your other friends aren't going to go see them too. You can meet back up with them after. You might really regret not seeing your favorite artist in an attempt to stay with your friends. So just go see them, meet your friends afterward.

9. Buy your train tickets in advance.

My first year I had to come by train every day and I now know there is a weekend pass specifically for Lolla. Buy it and don't lose it. Seriously. It'll end up saving you time and money in the future. If you can stay in the city, that's always ideal, but if not, buy train tickets in advance and be prepared to run to make the 10:40.

10. Be 21/know someone who is 21/know someone who is 21 for the weekend/ be 21 for the weekend.

Enough said.

11. Bring a small roll of toilet paper.

They sell them at Target for like $3 and they come in their own little plastic covering so that if it gets wet it won't get destroyed. The toilets at Lolla are gross like no other, and what's worse is that they often run out of toilet paper. So just save yourself and bring a little bit of your own.

12. Get at least some your calories from things other than alcohol.

I'm not saying that you have to get all of them from not alc, but you paid a lot of money to be at the festival, you don't want to pass out because you didn't eat anything. Also the food is really good, albeit expensive. You also probably don't want to black out and food is a good way to stop that from happening. How much of a bummer would it be to not remember seeing your favorite artist?

13. Don't get hell bent on a schedule.

While I am fully in favor of having a rough outline of who you want to see, do not be so hell bent on your schedule you miss out on other opportunities. You probably shouldn't have a completely full schedule as you have to eat at some point. It also takes longer, than you may anticipate walking across the park - it's big, my friends. Go with the flow. Even if you don't know the artist, going to a concert with some of your friends could be one of your best memories.

14. Get there early for concerts you want to be close for.

If you really, really want to be close for Sam Smith, know you're not the only one (see what I did there?). Get there early, camp out, push your way forward (but don't be a dick about it). How early you get to a stage will determine how close to the artist you get. You don't have to be close to have a good time, but if you want to be close anyways you have to put in the effort to make it to that point.

15. Grab a map.

Maybe this is your first time; maybe you've been doing this for years. Regardless, grab a map on the way in. Lolla never ceases to amaze me with how many times they'll change the name of a stage. Also, this way you can know how to fill your time in between the artists you really want to see. Chances are you won't remember where everyone you want to see is. Also by grabbing a map you eliminate having to use the schedule you have on your phone and can save your battery.

16. Drink water. Like, a lot.

A recurring theme throughout this is that you really do not want to pass out. Drink water, it's going to get really, really hot. It's always a good idea to hydrate. If you see a refill station, take the hint and go refill even if you're not completely empty. You never know when you'll be in the middle of a field, thirsty as hell, and run out of water.

17. Go to Perry's.

Do it at least once. Do it.

18. Have a clue.

Don't go in blind. Know vaguely who you want to see. Make time for food, drink water. And in a different sense, also don't be the annoying drunk ruining someone's favorite concert. Just because you're boozing doesn't mean everyone around you is. Be considerate. You're not the only person there. Obviously.

19. Dress for success.

It's going to be hot, plan for that. It might also rain, plan for that also. You want to be comfortable and you also want to be able to take super cute pictures (I assume, maybe that's not your thing - I'm not one to judge). This is Lolla, you can dress like it, but also be prepared for the worst. You probably won't need a sweatshirt though, seeing as you'll be packed in a crowd of thousands of other individuals.

20. Bring a Sharpie.

Just a recommendation because you might get the opportunity to snag an artist's autograph after a concert, but most of them don't carry around on with them. It's also great for writing on your schedule.

21. Really be there.

Take a moment and appreciate that you are actually at Lolla. So many were unable to get tickets, and you did. So while you're sprinting from one side of the park to the other to make that next show, live in the moment. Lolla comes once a year, and if you do it right it should be the best three days of the year.