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How do you get the most out of big multi-track online conferences like #NeurIPS? Received a nice question in my DMs from a software engineer interested in learning more about neuro and AI. A quick guide
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I used to be terrible at (physical) conferences. I would get there unprepared, jetlagged, and wander around aimlessly until it was time to go clubbing. Don't do this! Tip 1: have a plan! Write down interesting sessions in a doc. I use Notion, you could use Docs or Evernote 1/N
Tip 2: go wide. You can learn a lot about areas of research you're curious about with keynotes and tutorials. Somebody knowledgeable will guide you through a story of their field of research, with motivation, beginnings, key papers, open problems, etc. 2/N
Tip 3: go deep. Get caught up on your tiny area of research by going to posters and talks. Be careful though: a big error I've made in the past is going to too many posters that were over my head, which is very draining. If there's a workshop for your area of research, go! 3/N
Tip 4: take lots of notes. Especially online, use an active learning stance. Writing will help you remember key points in a talk, so you'll remember those cool ideas you had. 4/N
Tip 5: re-read those notes a week later. Spaced repetition is the key to learning - that comes out of a lot of neuro papers from... Terry Sejnowski, who also happens to be president of NeurIPS. 5/N
Tip 6: come in with a particular problem or two you want to advance on before the conference. Take notes about how the content in the talks could help you with your problem. It will help contextualize the talk and will make it stick more. 6/N
Tip 7: Be social. If you have friends you know are at the same conference, text them! Ask them what their favorite talks were. Make a slack channel. Tweet. It will help you filter the noise and focus in on interesting info. 7/N
Tip 8: Pace yourself. When the info is just not getting into your brain anymore, nap, go for a run, do some yoga, cook, etc. 8/N
Tip 9: Make a story. A couple of weeks after the conference, write a blog post about your experience. It will force you to reconsolidate all your disparate thoughts, and will help with retention. 9/9
