It all starts with knowing what was fine the last time you used your kit and quads and if you need to make any changes to tune or keep it running just right. Making those minor changes straight away like replacing the chipped props should be the best way to put your quad to bed until the next time you are going to use it.
From experience gained in such a short time in this hobby, I found that putting off tweaks "till later" will always mean I am never ready to go straight away, ultimately I was having to make do until the next time. Now I do all updates and adjustments when I return from my latest trip and I am ready to go without any doubts.
1. Batteries. Ensure your batteries are not compromised by any damage sustained from harsh landings, clipping the rugby post at high speed or crashing into that big stone in the field that just so happened to be there.. any dodgy punctures in your lipo packs then be cautious, charging your batteries should always be supervised but possible ruptures can be a nightmare if they puff and catch fire. (So make sure you use a fireproof charging bag for safety.)
Only charge your batteries to full charge if you are definately going to use them in the next couple of days, otherwise consider part charging them to "storage charge" (3.7 volts per cell), this is good practice and the batteries will probably give you longer service over their lifetime, along with the extra bonus of slightly shorter charging required to fully charge them ready for the next outing.
Don't forget to charge your goggles battery and a spare if you have one, ensure your radio is charged enough for your days flying, make sure the GoPro or video camera battery is charged and if you have one charge up your Drone-Keeper buzzer. Some of these are chargeable on the go with a USB battery bank.
2. Propellors. Consider changing your propellors, especially if you have had a lot of fun turning your quad into an earth cultivator.. I am good at that on some days and often catching a branch can help make sure I hit the ground, most times the props do make it, but other times they really do need to be replaced. It is good practice to have spares with you so you can change them on the field, but depending on the ambient temperature I find that the damage for me is normally limited when a badly bent prop just cannot be straightened without inducing some unwanted oscillations. Of course if you have chunks missing, a tip has snapped off one of the blades or the leading edges have lost the smooth feel its good to change them too. Normally in the very cold weather props tend to shatter if hitting anything hard, this is when you might see a chunk missing rather then getting a bend in the prop.
3. Tighten the screws. When assembling your quad you may have used a thread locking agent on the motors, but if you didn't then they may work loose with the amount of vibrations your quad produces. It really just takes a minute or two just to check all the screws are nipped up and wont cause unnecessary ocillations. Dont just check the motors though, all screws should be tightened nicely. Again it is worthwhile having a set of tools in your backpack to carry out minor repairs and make adjustments, or just to tighten a screw..
4. Clean out the chaff. Now when flying low to the ground it can be easy to turn your quad into a lawnmower or brush cutter, but the small particles you create can end up landing on your flight controller, the lens for the fpv camera, your Go Pro lens or all over the esc's and in every other place it shouldn't be.. get a small brush and most will come out with a blast of compressed air or a short sharp blow. However without using moisture the smears of pulped grass just dont come off.. use a damp dry microfibre cloth with a very light pressure and you should win.
5. Visual inspection. Now in most cases we have first hand experience of assembling our quads, some of us choose the components and create our own FrankenMachine or others will buy Almost Ready To Fly kits. Either way you should get to know your machine well enough to see something is not right.. battery cables getting cut by props is not a good thing, check they don't have too much slack when you fly, poor solder connections can be a problem if you get a tempremental arming, are the motors free running or is there one that just feels to snaggy? Little things like your VTX antenna should be tight and always ensure your whip antennas (if you have two) are at different angles and haven't been clipped accidentally.
"Being able to take your gear and go to rip a few packs is all down to your forward planning & preparation, having your kit ready to go this time starts
when you finished your last session"... Bryan.