How do I benefit from a conference?

[Questionasker]

I am attending a condensed matter, BEC, superfluid related conference. I found though I work in this area but not continuously, I can hardly understand what people are talking about and what people are interested in. This let me feel that I am wasting my time in the conference room. The topics look so diverse and unrelated to each other. I think they must be closely related since many researchers seemingly are familiar with all the topics in this conference. How do you guys expand your scope of your researches through attending a conference? Do you have any good advice to avoid wasting time during a conference?

 

[jedishrfu]

Select topics of interest read backing papers on these topics, take note of things to look up later and believe that you'll understand what you're hearing don't tune out.

remember the mantra:

If you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.

Prepare to have a muddy good time conferences can be fun and you'll meet some cool people.