Be prepared
These events tend to be busy so it’s a good idea for students to make a list of the colleges' stands they want to visit. Also, keep an eye out for the Studyclix stand (we always have loads of free stuff to give away).
Choosing a third-level course is an important decision and as students never get the time to visit every college’s open day, having them all in one place at career fairs is a great opportunity to find out what they need to know. Here are 6 tips to make sure your Leaving Cert student gets the most out of their day.
These events tend to be busy so it’s a good idea for students to make a list of the colleges' stands they want to visit. Also, keep an eye out for the Studyclix stand (we always have loads of free stuff to give away).
If students want to get the most out of the day, they'll want to come home having all of their questions answered. It’s a good idea to make a list beforehand of all the things they want to find out. Here are a few questions to consider:
What courses are on offer?
Is there an interview involved?
What were the points required last year?
How do I apply?
Is the course that I am interested in covered under the grant scheme?
What’s the weekly timetable like?
What are the career prospects once I graduate?
What are other graduates of this course doing now?
It’s always worth checking out any new courses available as often, these will be introduced as a result of a demand in the jobs market.
There will be talks at the event about topics such as the CAO and the UCAS application process as well as applying to study in Europe.
There will be lecturers and current students on hand to answer questions. Don't be afraid to approach these people with questions. The last thing anyone wants is to come home with unanswered questions because they are too shy to ask.
It’s likely that when students get home after an event like this, their heads will be full of information and impressions. It’s a good idea to sit down and write out the name of each of the courses that interest them along with all the pros and cons of that course. This way, they’ll have a record of their first impressions while they are still fresh in their mind.
Remember, there's a lot of walking and brochures/leaflets loaded with information at these events, so students should wear comfortable shoes and bring a bag. Happy course hunting!
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