how do I prepare for a tournament and get the most out of it?

1. think about what opening you will play for white and black. dont look around you. 3. dont talk. 4. just focus on tactics and such. thats what i do 

https://www.chess.com/blog/winston_weng/how-to-become-the-world-champion

Also give your opponent the Death Stare

Hi sister, Focus on basics, good opening with pieces and importantly castle! Just play ur natural game and not get tension of big tournament.

That's some good advice! Thank you!

Emotion and adrenaline seems like the biggest factor that seems to being down most's performances. To avoid this, and play like the hero, 

Play the safe game, aim to make the least inaccuracies, (accuracy deals lots with winning a game) and keep an eye out for best moves. Play it your way. When you see your opponent making a plan, know that it wont work out with Stockfish cuz its pretty much human-ish. Try to demolish it with solid moves, which are pretty developmental, attacking and defending, and keep a lookout for knight outposts in the endgame (if you have knights).

Thank you Mainy

And Good Luck with the games, bestie  

you can roofie all your opponents

it'd be quite the scene to watch