Tips on Conferences: getting there and getting the most from them

1. Decide what specialty you are interested in and then contact the relevant organising body. Ask if there are any conferences coming up with places for students. You may have to submit an essay or enter a competition to be considered.
2. Before you go make contact with the consultants from your local area who will be going so you have people to talk to on the first day.
3. Look at the conference timetable in advance so you can sign up for the workshops you want and perhaps do some background reading.
4. Dress smartly to make a good impression.
5. Ask a couple of the more junior delegates to look out for you at the conference. They will be useful when a whole session is on something you know nothing about.
6. Try to get an invite to the conference dinner--it is the best time to socialise and really talk to people about what life in the specialty is like.
7. Talk to as many different people as possible about where they trained, what they liked, how they chose the specialty, where they work, and so on. This will give you first hand information on what a specialty is really like.
8. If people take special interest in you, because you are a student, make sure you get their contact details.
9. Always write a thank you letter after the conference to the organisers and sponsors, saying what you learnt, and remember to follow up any contacts.