Campus tours, library tours, student Q&As, free cakes – the sheer variety of activities available on an average open day can feel overwhelming. But a little bit of preparation can ensure that you get the most out of your day.
“I would advise anyone planning on attending an open day to prepare in advance,” says Kirsty Reynolds, now studying professional writing with marketing at the University of Derby. Knowing the right questions to ask is key, she says.
“Before I attended my open days, at the University of Derby, the University of Northampton and Manchester Metropolitan University, I read up on the course content online and made a note of all the first year modules, so I could ask about them when I met the programme leaders. I also did some research into each of the halls so I knew which ones I wanted to visit at each university.”
Mike Nicholson, director of student admissions at the University of Bath, points out that many sessions will be very busy, so structure your time to make sure you get to the things that really matter to you. “Talks on student finance, welfare and the admission process will normally be repeated throughout the day. But you may have only one chance to speak to a tutor or have a lab tour, so fit the rest of your day around that.”
Think about who will be able to answer your questions and come up with a list. You might have specific questions about the course content that would be best run past a lecturer. Or if you want to know about life on campus, social events and the reality of course workload, aim to ask a student ambassador – a good open day will ensure that there are plenty around. Accommodation is also a big issue: how much will it cost? Is a place guaranteed? How secure is it? And are there communal areas to help you meet fellow students?
Make sure you take advantage of the information universities can give you before the day. “The university sent a programme in advance and we used that to plan our day,” says Estelle Currie, who attended the University of York with her daughter Anna, who hopes to study history.
“Top of the agenda was the session organised by the history department. The Q&A session at the end was especially helpful for the Ucas form.”
Once you’ve decided on the structure of your day, it’s time to consider the practicalities. Are your parents willing to drive you and if not, how will you get there? How long will it take by public transport?
And make sure you allow time to investigate the town as well. “You’re not going to spend three years on campus, so build a walk around the town into your day – perhaps by going for a meal in the evening,” suggests Richardson. “Use the bus service to see how good the links to public transport are. Or come up the day before. If the open day is happening outside term time, you might even be able to stay in the university’s student accommodation.”
“Allow time to float around and take in your surroundings,” says Nicholas Banister, student recruitment officer at the University of Warwick. “Visiting gives you an idea of the different character and personality of a university.”
In-demand sessions will be very busy at peak times, so get there early or go later when the crowds are starting to thin. “I remember being shown accommodation at some open days and it being so busy that I couldn’t even get into the room to see,” says Lily-Rose Scargill, currently studying at the University of Sussex. “How I was supposed to decide that I wanted to live there is beyond me.”
University isn’t just about the course, so check out other facilities, such as the student union or university sports centres. “A tour of the university will give you the opportunity to identify areas or facilities that interest you, such as the library,” says Banister. “You can then revisit these areas on your own throughout the day.”
Open days are often very busy, says Carys Roberts, head of student recruitment at Bangor University, so decide who is going to do what in advance. “If you’re going with your family, you could even consider splitting up,” she says.
“While the prospective student and a couple of the group are doing the academic school visit, others should check out the rest of the programme as there will be other talks and tours going on at the same time.”
Seek out a student ambassador to ask about aspects of life you might not see in the prospectus: what’s the nightlife really like? How much direct time do students get with their lecturers? Do they get good feedback on assignments?
Student ambassador Beth Hampton, currently doing a BA in French and Spanish at the University of Bath, says students shouldn’t be nervous about questioning student ambassadors – that’s what they’re there for. “It can be quite inspiring hearing about students’ experiences – it makes coming to university a lot less daunting.”
And don’t be too dazzled by what you see – after all, an open day is just a snapshot. “I didn’t get much out of the speeches, presentations and comments from existing students,” says Paul Anderson, now studying at the University of Sussex, “primarily because it was all intended to make the university look as good as possible. I chose Sussex because I honestly felt comfortable there.”
Comfortable shoes and smart casual clothes: tips for a fulfilling open day
- Bring a notebook and pen to write down answers – there’s no point in having a list of carefully prepared questions if you forget the responses.
- Make sure you either print out a map or have your mobile map to hand, and build in plenty of time for travel delays. Download any open day apps. Many universities now provide these to help you get the most out of your open day – they’ll contain all you need to know, including what and when certain talks are taking place and how to find your way around campus. (And make sure you’ve fully charged your phone.)
- Check out what students are really saying about the university with websites such as the Student Room – they’re great for finding out things you may not hear on an open day. Follow the universities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates, before and during the day. If there’s a hashtag for open day attendees, follow that too – it’s great for getting an insight into other people’s experiences.
- Wear comfortable shoes and smart casual clothes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and there’s nothing wrong with making a good first impression on the people who might end up teaching you.
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