I have my first otb tournament coming up, and I was hoping that I I could get some advice from the seasoned players.  I'll be playing G90 with 30 sec increments in the U-1350 section.  My CC rating is around 1700 on chess.com, and at the local chess club my best win was against a USCF 1650 or so.  I, of course, still drop pieces and miss easy tactics, so I've been doing tactics trainer to get ready for the tournament and have stopped my opening study (which I know isn't helpful to begin with for someone at my level of play but I really enjoy opening study) to get ready.  I have also practiced playing with a clock in a couple G30s.

What else should I be doing?  Is it wise to study pretty hard the few days before the tournament, or is it a good idea to take a brief break and be fresh?  Luckily, the tournament is very close to my house, so I'll have the opportunity to eat good meals, etc. and get a little bit of rest between matches if they end early.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time.

Everyone is a little different. I study hard the week of, and then take it easy a day or two before. Get some rest, etc. It may sound goofy and hippy, but Zen meditation is good preparation for chess tournaments. It teaches you to relax, clear your mind, and sit calmly.

Tactics trainers are good (especially on this site). Although, you can get a little too "tactics heavy." Be careful you aren't trying to force some amazing combination that isn't there. I find that studying positional strategy, how to improve the pieces is best before a tournament.

As far as eating goes, I don't eat much during a tournament. I stick to water and Cliff Bars. Then, I usually have a big dinner afterward. Playing on a full stomach can be just as distracting as playing on an empty stomach.

I don't know if any of this stuff makes me a better tournament player, but I have more fun while I'm there.

Don't play too fast.  Don't forget the clock.  Walk around to take a break when you have time and your opponent is thinking.  Look at defense first before attacking.  Every time your opponent moves, ask why he moved there and what's the threat.  Look at combinations and tactics on his time, but don't play an unsound combination.  Make sure your tactic or combination isn't losing.  Control the center.  Castle early.  Look at ideas that your opponent might not see or think you would play.  Write down the move as soon as you play a move and hit the clock or as soon as your opponent plays a move.  Accept free pawns or pieces (accept gambits) unless you see something really wrong.  Try to visualize two moves ahead for every move you make.  Don't assume your opponent will not see a move.  Deelop naturally, with knights out, then bishops, king castled, then good pawn formation.  Avoid weak pawn structure like isolated pawns and doubled pawns.  If you are ahead in material, trade off the pieces but keep your pawns.  If you are behind in material, trade off as many pawns as posssible.  Don't worry about the endgame.  They won't know it any better than you.  Stay focused and look at all the possible moves.   Rule out bad moves.  Look at forced moves first.

Hope that helps and good luck.  Mostly have fun.  Once the game is over, win or lose, see if your opponent and you agree to analyze the game together in a skittles room. 

Don't go crazy trying to cram some extra opening prep at the last minute. Do a few tactical exercises every day, and maybe play over a few master games, but don't go crazy.

As I recall my first OTB tournament, most of my problems stemmed from nerves. I played well below my strength in the first couple of rounds, and I found myself getting tired during long games because of nervous tension. So your main task is to stay calm and stick your routine. I think you will have a tense, exciting time. 

Thanks for your advice everyone.  Analyzing games with my opponent is one of the main reasons I decided to compete.  What kind of downtime is a good minimum between games, though.  I'm assuming that it's probably a bad idea to go from game to skittles room to game all day.  What kinds of things do you guys do between rounds to clear the head or keep your body from building up too much nervous energy, etc.

Also, what about caffeine?  I'm a pretty heavy coffee drinker, so I probably shouldn't go without it at all, but I'm also worried that too much caffeine making me want to move too fast, etc.

I'm a huge coffe driker, but I would stick to water during the rounds. You will be plenty keyed up without the need for stimulants. Not to be indelicate, but you also don't want to have to pee too many times during the round.