Student Tips

OnlineStudies

1. Be prepared and think about questions to ask:

Before you log into a session, make sure you’re prepared with plenty of questions. Spend some time exploring the school’s website in advance so you can ask thoughtful and pointed questions. This is your chance to get to know the school, so be prepared.

Your time is important, and so is that of the people giving the presentation on the schools. Therefore, it’s best to spend some time in advance researching the school before attending a virtual fair. That way, you'll likely have a good idea already if a school has the right program for you -- and if not you can spend your time at the fair exploring other schools better suited to you. Also, this is a great chance to make an impression on a recruiter, so it’s best to be able to show that you’ve invested time in learning about their school.

3. Check your computer/device and connection

Nothing slows your roll more than a computer or phone malfunction. Before you hop into your online session, make sure you’re ready. Your device should be charged, have a secure internet connection, and be working correctly.

As temtping as it might be to check your phone, play a game, or scroll social media while a presenter is talking, they’re going to notice. It’s pretty clear when someone isn’t engaged, and you don’t want to be that person. Make sure you’re present throughout the presentation, and try to limit outside distractions as much as possible. Recruiters will remember who was there for their presentations, even if it was a virtual presence.

Don’t forget that at the end of the day, exploring your higher education opportunities should be fun! Even if you aren’t in person, you can still make the best of the circumstance. 

Ask questions, get to know the recruiters and other attendees, and let your personality shine through

If you find a program or school that really piques your interest, you’ll need to make sure to follow up. Some recruiters and presenters will work with hundreds, if not thousands of students during a recruitment season, so you don’t want to become part of the blur of faces. Make sure to follow up after the presentation so you stay fresh in the recruiter’s mind. Give them something to remember you by, like a specific detail from their presentation that stayed with you, or a unique question that will set you apart from the competition. Don’t be afraid to 

, or to sign up for a mailing list to stay in the know.

One of the great things about going virtual is that your parents can attend from anywhere in the world. It might also be easier for them to jump on from their office, rather than having to take full days off of work, so don’t hesitate to invite them to join. Parents, trusted friends, or guardians will play a key role in the decision making process, so bring them along for the ride.

Even though it’s easy to get very invested in one specific school or program, things will go best if you can keep an open mind. You might find yourself drawn towards a program or university you hadn’t even considered. It may turn out to be the best decision you ever make.

Remember to have good etiquette while participating in virtual fairs. This includes keeping your background neutral and free of distractions, as well as muting your audio. No one wants to hear your siblings fighting over the remote while also trying to pay attention to a presentation.

If you loved the presentation and want to know more, ask for a copy of it. Not only is this a great way to establish a connection with a recruiter, it’ll make you stand out from the crowd. Once you have a copy of the presentation, you can revisit it to see if there are any lingering questions or areas you want to know more about.

Remember, university is one of the biggest decisions you can make. Therefore, it’s important to invest your time into making sure you’re making the right one. Being prepared for 

 is a great way to make sure you’re going to get the most out of the time you’re spending on achieving a higher education!

Online fairs allow students to explore a variety of different universities to consider for their higher education experience. Here are ten tips to help you make the most of participating in a virtual fair.

10 Tips for Students for Virtual Study Fairs

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