There are a few basic things you can do to acclimate more quickly:
1) as others have mentioned, drink LOTS of water. If you get thirsty, you are basically not drinking enough. You should be peeing often, and your urine should be clear or very light colored. My favorite trick is to start the day by downing a liter of water. I never want to drink that much, but it helps a lot. Make yourself drink more.
2) do a little more each day. If you are going to be there 8 days early, yourbest bet is to do some exercise every day, preferable going a little higher every day.
3) don't eat too much the first day and keep it bland. this helps avoid the slight nausea that some folks feel the first day or so at alitude.