Dancing
Do not count steps! You already know them, but you will look as if you do not!
Do not look down towards the floor at any time - it makes you look nervous and your jumps etc. look smaller!
Do not look at the Adjudicator at any time - they really don't like it! Look ahead at all times and try to look above their head height. This will keep your head nice and high and you will look super confident.
Remember to smile all the time, it is supposed to be fun! But don't grin, it just makes you look gormless.
Stand still when you are queuing up so that the judge is not distracted and don't chatter. This is a time for focusing on the dance that you are just about to do, and nothing else.
When you finish the dance Bow smartly and return to your starting place. when the adjudicator rings the bell to dismiss you bow again and turn and bow to the Musician. They deserve it! They work very hard all day to make sure that you can dance.

Light Shoes
I like to tie the laces by wrapping them around my ankle, it looks neater. Use a double Bow so that they don't unravel when you start to dance.
Check your laces before you queue up not in the line.
The best soft shoes have elastic loops at the sides which make the laces tidier but also keep the shoe tight against your foot. If yours haven't got loops try sewing your own in place, it isn't hard.

Heavy Shoes
I like to apply strips of 2" carpet tape (about £1.00 for a 10 metre roll) across the tap and heel so that they don't slip on the dance floors. Although the tape seems glossy, and you would expect it to be slippery, it isn't. If you remove all traces of the previous tape - it takes some scraping! - and then apply it, it doesn't peel back off.
A few minutes of practicing in a hallway at the feis will take the shine off and it really grips any surface after that.
Shoelaces - Do these up and then collect the loops and ends together and place under the ankle strap before you do it up. This keeps the laces out of the way and stops them from coming undone.
Buckles - It's a personal choice if you wear buckles or not. Usually you have a choice of 'normal' square buckles or Shamrocks. If you use them, POLISH THEM!!! Always remove from the shoe to polish them as the metal polish can ruin your shoes. My dad always uses a piece of newspaper, instead of a cloth, to apply Brasso (a metal polish). He says the paper gives a better finish as it is very slightly abrasive. He then polishes the buckles with a soft duster. I must agree they do sparkle when he has finished!
Clicks (slices?) - I know your teachers are always on at you but the only way to get your clicks Every Time is to point your feet outwards. Quite simply the heels can't connect unless they are at the right angle to each other.
Shorter TREBLES (also known as Emerleys/Rallies apparently) are louder Trebles!
Unfortunately, Teachers Do Know Best!

Protect your Dress
This is a very expensive item and is easily ruined so look after it!
Make a smock from an old dress or similar that opens at the back with Velcro or ties (like a hospital gown). I use a hairdressers smock that was given to me. You can then eat or drink without fear of spillages. You can also put it on the floor to stand on when you are getting into the dress to prevent the dress getting dirty.
When not being worn make sure the dress is returned to a waterproof cover, Just In Case!

Classmates
Yes these are important too!
When you go to a feis on your own it can be very stressful. If you have a classmate with you, especially if they are in your own age group and grade, you have someone to share the experience with. You can practice together and cheer each other up if one doesn't do very well in a competition.
I like to make sure that I have a dancing partner for the figure dancing, 2-hand at least. Normally it means we will get at least one medal each! It's also more lighthearted as you are not on your own.