Hey everyone,

RTXL 2017 was my first time being a Guardian, and it was quite tough on the first two days getting to know how everything worked and the processes as well. So I though why not give my tips and advice I learnt last year so that it might help others, whether they are first time guardians, Londoning, or even seasoned veterans because we can always learn something new. Feel free to add some of your tips as well.

So here's some of my tips:

Wear comfy shoes - you will be on your feet for most of the time.

Bring a clear water bottle - just to keep you hydrated and the Excel center had also requested that water bottles to be transparent last year due to security. 

Bring a spare shirt and jacket - you will need to be out of your guardian shirt when you are not working, and because the excel is next to the river its generally cold in the morning and and night when we arrive or leave. 

Bring a sharpie or two - because you never know when you need a sharpie for something.

Battery packs and charging cables are a life saver - just so you can charge your phone or devices when you run out of power.

Learning where the atm/ cash points are - I had quite a few ask where the nearest cash points or atms are last time. Theres a few inside the Excel (near the entrances normally) and others will be outside at Nisa and Tescos.

Public transport - for first time travelling to the Excel can be tricky as the closest station is Custom House Excel on the DLR which is normally closed for some reason but their should be rail replacement buses for that, otherwise you can get off a stop earlier or later at Royal Victoria or Prince Regent, other ways taking the Emirates Air Line from North Greenwich O2 arena to the road in front of the Excel. 

Hope this helps and see you all at RTXL