Your Guide to Attending Virtual Education Events
Attending a virtual education event? Here's your ultimate guide to getting the most value for your time.
So you've got an education event coming up — or you're considering attending one, at least. Events like these are a great way to break the veil of mystery around college and university admissions: you'll find that school representatives just want to share information and help you make the right decision for you.
Still, showing up to a virtual event can be intimidating, and not knowing where to start is uncomfortable. So today, we bring you your ultimate guide to virtual education events! Follow these guidelines to get the most value out of your time when attending an education event.
What is an education event?
An education event, or education fair, is a chance to meet with representatives from collges, universities, and other organizations. These events offer you the opportunity to ask questions and hold discussions with experts who can help you understand the process and requirements for studying at their institution.
Many education events and education fairs are free for students to attend, and often take place virtually.
Before the event
Here's what to do before the event itself.
Register for the event
Before the event begins, be sure that you register! Many events will be happy to accept last-minute registrants, but some may not have the capacity. So if you're able to register ahead of time, do so.
At the very least, you'll get reminders about the event, and probably some details in your inbox about what to expect. You may even be eligible to win prizes by registering in advance.
Check out the list of exhibitors
Most events will have a list of exhibiting schools and organizations that will attend the event. It's a good idea to scan the list to see if any names stand out to you as especially interesting.
Make note of the schools that catch your eye so you can be sure to visit their booth at the event.
Double-check the location — and your transport options
For virtual events, it's a good idea to check out the platform ahead of time, if you can, to ensure your phone or laptop has the right technology necessary to access the portal. In most cases, a strong internet connection and an updated web browser will be all you need.
Think about some questions to ask
We've done the hard part for you. Whether you're chatting with school reps, or student ambassadors, it can help to have some questions prepared ahead of time. Here are some resources to help get your brain going:
Be sure to take notes!
During the event
It's event day! Here's some advice for having a successful, productive experience at the event.
Arrive early
Showing up a few minutes before the event begins is a good idea, whether it's online or offline. You'll generally get a more enthusiastic response from participants (both schools and students!) when energy levels are high. Plus, you won't miss anyone if they need to depart the event before the end time.
Check out the presentation schedule
Most events will have a schedule of presentations or seminars, some of which will probably interest you more than others. When you arrive, double-check the schedule, and make note of where you need to be, and when, to catch the bits that appeal to you.
Make a few notes to yourself on your schedule so you don't get carried away in exploring and miss the session you most wanted to attend.
If you do end up missing a presentation or seminar that you were eager to attend, your best bet is to visit that exhibitor's booth and ask for the short version. They may even have a recording link they can share, or a handout that covers the same topics.
Tour the exhibitor floor
All the exhibitors will likely be listed on a single page — perhaps divided into certain categories, like school type or location.
See who's who, and spend a bit of time browsing the list. You might spot an exhibitor you didn't expect, so getting a sense of which schools are available can help you decide how best to spend your time.
Chat with exhibitors
It's go time! The clock is ticking, so grab hold and start visiting the exhibitors that interest you most.
School reprensentatives will often have a spiel to give you, or they may want to ask you some questions about who you are and your goals. You don't have to have all the answers, but try to be honest and open about your interests and concerns. Reprensentatives will have advice and insight to share, even if you're not interested in their institution.
Remember to use a few of the questions you prepared earlier!
Exhibitors will generally expect you to ask questions about the institution, but if you're the quiet type, they'll likely be more than happy to give you an overview of everything you need to know. The best school reps will ask you questions about your interests and goals, and share advice that will benefit you no matter which school you attend. As long as you're curious and courteous, you'll fit right in.
This is a great opportunity to take notes, too.
Before leaving the booth, bookmark the school's URL or scan a QR code so you have a way to get in touch in future to ask further questions or seek clarification. (You can always unsubscribe later!)
Chat with other students
There will be plenty of others in the same boat as you also attending the fair. Most online event platforms will have a messaging tool for you to try, even if striking up a conversation with a stranger isn't always easy.
Check out user profiles to find others with similar program interests or backgrounds to you.
The basic idea is to swap stories and compare notes on what you've found, what you're wondering about, and what your next steps are. Talking to strangers can be intimidating, but it's actually quite good for you: many studies have found that talking to strangers can actually boost your happiness level. Swallow your nervousness and just say hi!
If things go well, why not swap contact info, too? That's what social media is for, after all.
After the event
You made it. We hope you learned a bit about your options, and perhaps you're considering your next steps in a new light. Here's how to proceed after the event concludes.
Review any literature you picked up
You may have found some interesting links, or downloaded a presentation or PDF file with extra information. Take some time review it, and take note of what's most interesting and relevant to you.
Catch up via email
You may receive some email comms (or even phone calls or WhatsApp messages) if you requested more information. You can reply to the sender and get a chat going; recruitment advisors love to chat, so you can get any clarifications or answers to new questions.
Start planning for the next event!
You probably won't make your final decision on where and what to study after just a single event. Colleges and universities attend plenty of education events for students, so keep an eye out for more opportunities to meet and connect with schools and fellow students.
The broader and more varied your network, the more likely you are to find the right place for you to fit in and succeed — during school, and long after graduation!
Got more tips for attending events? Share them with our team on Instagram, and we might add them to our list!
PS: Looking for an upcoming virtual education event to try out these tips and strategies? Why not join us at the StudyinCanada Virtual Winter Fair on January 24? (Click here to compare your time zone.)
Register now for the StudyinCanada Virtual Winter Fair