Help needed for a first-timer...part two!

Thanks to everybody who offered advice on the material that I hope to use for my very first open mic spot. I'm now practicing like crazy to try and get the set word perfect, but I'm struggling a bit, to be honest. When I get nervous, I tend to get forgetful and I keep losing my place in the running order. Is that just me or does that happen to all beginners? Surely not all stand-ups have fantastic photographic memories? If that's the case, then I'm stuffed! I just wondered if anybody might be able to offer a little advice on the best way to remember a set.
Apologies in advance if this is a really stupid and basic question, but I really would appreciate your thoughts and comments. cheers!

Happens to everyone including pros.

I remember seeing one very well known telly comic, stop dead and ask if the audience minded if he got his notes out.

Memorise your act as possible and then break it down to bullet prompts.

And don't worry about taking your notes up with you. If you're charming about it people really don't mind if you use them to get back on track.

Much better than struggling to remember and looking like you're trying to shit a filing cabinet.

The best thing to do would be to have your set list written on something (a bit of paper, a prop, your hand, etc) and then write a joke involving that thing so that you can have a sneaky look but make it look like part of the routine.

News Revue who change a whole 2 hour show almost every week some times specifically ask for sketches including newsapapers, clipboards etc to give the actors a break.

A good rule of thumb is you can work anything into your act that's funny.

But reading isn't funny so get yourself familiar.

Record your set, put it on to your phone/ipod/mp3 player, Then put it on repeat on your way to the gig.

It can get jarring hear your voice over and over (well for me anyway) but it really helps get the whole set in to your subconscious.

As a newbie ask to go on early in the running order, or straight after an interval, that way you can run through your set a few times just before performing it.

Loads of people do take notes on to the stage with them, I would say if you can avoid it then do so, it makes it a lot harder to engage with your audience when referring to your notes, I would rather be able to build a rapport with the audience at the expense of forgetting a joke here and there no one will notice if you do as long as you are well rehearsed. If you are a likeable person and can think on your feet then lose the notes and you will get laughs just for being you.

And most importantly enjoy yourself up there, if you are having a good time so will your audience.

Thank you all so much for the advice, it's really appreciated. I know that I need to change my mind-set and stop thinking of the open-mic as my pathway to the gallows! I just imagine that I'll be sitting back-stage, head in hands, waiting for the preacher to take me by the hand and say "It's time son" I'll look up and ask weakly if there has been any reprieve from governor, feeling a tear hit my cheek as he gives a sombre shake of the head.

Hmmm...maybe I need to work on the confidence...'ya think?

But that description is funny, use it!

Don't think of it as a chore, it's your first one don't expect to have your audience in stitches on your first one, the first few are about finding your style and pace and building confidence, don't be afraid to take it slow and pause for thought where you need to.

Try to take a friend or two with you for morale support also, it takes guts just to get up there.

The only place you will really learn what works and what doesn't is in front of an audience.

And have a pint or two beforehand, don't get bladdered but a little dutch courage can help.

Thanks for all of your advice folks, I appreciate the helpful comments.