5 tips for an effective education fair visit

January is the month of good resolutions, but it's also the month when everything accelerates when it comes to higher education. Education fairs follow one another in every country, bringing together dozens, if not hundreds, of higher education players.

While these events are very useful for defining one's study plans, they can also be a source of stress by putting prospective students in front of too many stands, too much noise and too much information, preventing them from finding answers to their questions.

Here is some advice on how to get the most out of your visit to an education fair:

1. Choosing the right fair

This may seem obvious, but with so many different players in higher education, some institutional, others public or private, some international, others very local... it's essential to choose the RIGHT fair for you, i.e. the one that will bring together as many schools as possible that can meet your needs.

This means finding out about the event beforehand. In theory, all fairs have a website where you can see the exhibitors in advance. Admission is often subject to a fee, so don't hesitate to ask your school if they have invitations. If admission is free, you might be asked to register beforehand to gain access to the site on the day.

2.  Preparing your visit

Even the most athletic or hardy visitors won't be able to stop at every stand, so it's important to know in advance which areas you want to visit. With so many posters, kakemonos and other goodies designed to grab your attention, it's not always easy to target the schools that interest you when you're there. By choosing your targets in advance, you can locate them on a map that will be given to you as soon as you enter the room and plan your visit.

Preparing your visit also means preparing your questions. Don't stress if you don't yet know which sector you're interested in. The role of these events is to open up the field of possibilities to you. On the other hand, you should at least have done a quick introspection on what you're "good at" (your skills) and what you "like to do" (your appetites). This will help to fuel the discussion with your contacts on the stands. For example, there's no point spending an hour at an accountancy and management school if you hate numbers.

3.  Ask all your questions

While it's true that there are no stupid questions, this applies all the more to your visit to a student fair because the stakes of higher education, both for your future and your budget, are so high that it's essential to have a clear and unequivocal understanding of what's on offer.

Don't censor yourself, dare to ask all your questions about the cost of your studies, the recognition of your degree, the jobs available to graduates, the availability of work placements, the possibility of continuing your studies after graduation, the number of international students in your classes, the exam pass rate, the size of the campus, its location and accessibility by public transport, the reasons why you should choose this school and not another...

4.  Take advantage of the conferences

Most of the time, student fairs bring together a number of experts or students in addition to the exhibitors, who are invited to share their knowledge on a whole range of subjects relating to higher education. "Studying in France", "continuing your studies after vocational studies", "improving your soft skills", "working in law"... Whether it's a question of personal development or knowledge of a particular course or subject, these discussions can be very useful and diversify the time you spend at the fair. Make sure you have a good look at the programme beforehand, so you don't miss out on the subjects that might be of interest to you.

5.  Sort out the information gathered and follow up your favourite lead

Of course, the aim of the exhibition is more than just to hold it, and it's up to you to make the most of the information you've gathered. Sort through the documents gathered and keep only the elements that interest you. Get back in touch with the people at the schools you're interested in to make sure you're included in their future communications.

If your presence at the fair has generated interest in new courses of study, take the time to do your own research on the subject before committing yourself: opportunities, possible jobs, working conditions, expected salaries, etc.

And even if September still seems a long way off, you should know that it's a good time to start planning your studies or further study. This will give you time to make your choices and take the right steps.

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5 tips for an effective education fair visit

5 tips for an effective education fair visit