Spring's on its way, and that can mean only one thing: education fair season, of course!

Education fairs are a great resource if you're in high school, looking ahead to post-secondary — or even if you're already in college or university, thinking about what's next for you.

Fairs are usually free to attend for students, so you've got nothing to lose by taking part. Still need some convincing? Check out some of the top reasons you should attend an education fair.

(By the way, if you're looking for an upcoming education fair to explore, consider the Study and Go Abroad / SchoolFinder Fairs fairs, running from February 28 through March 8 in three cities across Canada:)

• Vancouver, February 28
• Calgary, March 1
• Toronto, March 8

1. Get the info you need

You can't make a good decision about your education without good info! Whether you're an athlete, artist, scientist, or all of the above, you'll learn about the unique offerings of each school at their booth.

You'll meet school representatives who can share their knowledge and experiences with you directly. Many school reps are alumni themselves, meaning they can tell you what campus life is really like. Reps are up-to-date on program offerings — you might learn something exciting about a program you'd never know existed.

School reps will also have the facts on residence and campus life, and insights into off-campus housing options. Getting a sense of the community vibe is invaluable, especially if you can't visit campus before you apply.

If you're considering studying abroad, you'll also be able to get info on restrictions and eligibility criteria, visa requirements, permit timelines, and more. Sounds a bit bland, but it's all stuff you'll definitely need to know!

Now here's the big one: you'll learn about scholarships, bursaries, and grants for students. Share a bit of info about yourself, and explore financial supports that might be available to you. Sometimes the difference between attending school X or Y is the amount of financial aid you can expect to receive, so it's a good topic to ask about!

It's not just schools!

Sure, "education fair" implies schools, and yes, you'll meet plenty of colleges and universities at your next event. But you'll often find opportunities for gap year experiences, working travel, career development, and professional organizations of all kinds, too. If it relates to student life or your career after graduation, odds are good you'll find it at your next education fair.

2. Build connections and relationships

Education fairs aren't exactly singles mixers, but you can still meet new, interesting people at these events, and maybe even make a new friend.

In many cases, school booths will be staffed with former or current students, who will be eager to tell you about their experiences. You may be invited to chat further by email, text, or social media, should you have questions later on.

You'll also run into other students considering the same schools you are. Don't be shy — strike up a conversation! Exchange notes and impressions: maybe your new friend has noticed something you haven't, or perhaps you've got a great question they'd never considered. Be sure to connect on social — there's nothing better than having a new friend before your adventure begins.

You can develop connections with recruiters, too. Recruiters will have the latest info on their schools, and may be able to help you down the line with answers and advice. Snag the business card of a friendly rep, put your name on a contact list, follow the recruiter on social, so you'll always be able to reach out.

3. Grab swag and win prizes

Most education fairs will be jam-packed with swag of all sorts for you to feast on. Many exhibitors offer goods like water bottles, keychains, USB flash drives, and more, alongside hand-outs and such for you to review. The print is usually glossy brochures, showing off glamour shots of campus, filled with smiling students and info on programs and campuses. Swag is usually branded with the school's name and logo.

Many booths will have contests of their own, too, for prizes great and small. Usually all you need to do is fill out your name and email to be entered into a draw. If you're lucky, this might include a tuition discount, fee waiver, or scholarship.

So, whether you're mainly interested in gathering intel, meeting people, or winning prizes, there are lots of reasons to attend an education fair when you're planning for your future.

You'll get the chance to explore your options, attend presentations to learn about the schools and programs that interest you, and market yourself as the perfect student to recruit. (Bonus: Explore the city that's hosting the fair, if it's unfamiliar to you!)

Give an education fair a try. You just might like it.

Want a little more advice? Check out your education event guide, explained — you'll find plenty of topics to raise when you visit booths and meet people.