Choosing the right university can seem impossible. There are just so many to decide between. One of the most important parts of the process is attending open days. Open days not only give you the chance to investigate the course content, but also the accommodation and student life in general.
If you are stuck between several different places, open days really can be the deciding factor. So, it is important to get the most out of your visit. This guide will help you fully prepare for an open day.
Who Are You Going With?
Who you take with you on an open day can influence what you get out of it. It is perfectly fine to attend an open day alone. This may actually make you more alert and help you really think about the university. However, an extra pair of eyes and a slightly different view point may also be useful.
Having your parents alongside you may help you feel more relaxed, and remember, they will be just as interested in learning about where you are planning to study (and live) as you. Alternatively, you may have an older sibling you would like to take along. They may be able to compare this open day to their own experiences and think of unusual questions.
How Will You Get There?
Booking train tickets in advance will help you save money and allow you to confirm your attendance early. Some universities will get current students to meet you at the train or bus station and walk you to the campus. Be sure to download or print maps of the department, university and city so you can find your way around without constantly stopping to ask for directions. If travelling by car, remember to note the postcode and investigate car parks.
As you are travelling, think about the distance from your home to the university. Getting as far away from your parents as possible may seem like a great idea until you get homesick, or run out of food and clean clothes.
What Do You Need To Ask?
Think about the questions you want to ask and write them down so you don’t have to remember them all on the open day. You may want to ask the department about the course content, number of teaching hours each week or even how it will be assessed. It is also important to ask about accommodation, societies and nightlife. Don’t leave it to your parents to ask all of the questions; you are the person that will be studying there.
What Are You Going To Do There?
Before your open day, print a timetable of any organised events and sign up for anything that needs to be pre-booked. Most universities will have several talks going on at the same time. These will include subject talks, accommodation or town tours and student finance lectures. If you are visiting with a group of friends, you might want to split into smaller groups, attend one talk each and then swap notes.
Open days can feel very busy, but it is also important to make sure you get some time to yourself. You may want to take photos of the campus or city, to help you remember it. While you are there, think about the atmosphere and ask yourself whether you could live and study in this place for the next 3-4 years?
Your time at university is likely to be one of the happiest of your life, so it really is important to choose the right place. Getting the most out of your open day can really help. If you have any more open day advice, please leave it in the comments section below!
Author Bio:
Rhosanna Jenkins is a dedicated writer and student. Her own open day experiences completely changed her opinion on which university she wanted to attend.
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| Image by jon crel |
Who Are You Going With?
Who you take with you on an open day can influence what you get out of it. It is perfectly fine to attend an open day alone. This may actually make you more alert and help you really think about the university. However, an extra pair of eyes and a slightly different view point may also be useful.
Having your parents alongside you may help you feel more relaxed, and remember, they will be just as interested in learning about where you are planning to study (and live) as you. Alternatively, you may have an older sibling you would like to take along. They may be able to compare this open day to their own experiences and think of unusual questions.
How Will You Get There?
Booking train tickets in advance will help you save money and allow you to confirm your attendance early. Some universities will get current students to meet you at the train or bus station and walk you to the campus. Be sure to download or print maps of the department, university and city so you can find your way around without constantly stopping to ask for directions. If travelling by car, remember to note the postcode and investigate car parks.
As you are travelling, think about the distance from your home to the university. Getting as far away from your parents as possible may seem like a great idea until you get homesick, or run out of food and clean clothes.
What Do You Need To Ask?
Think about the questions you want to ask and write them down so you don’t have to remember them all on the open day. You may want to ask the department about the course content, number of teaching hours each week or even how it will be assessed. It is also important to ask about accommodation, societies and nightlife. Don’t leave it to your parents to ask all of the questions; you are the person that will be studying there.
What Are You Going To Do There?
Before your open day, print a timetable of any organised events and sign up for anything that needs to be pre-booked. Most universities will have several talks going on at the same time. These will include subject talks, accommodation or town tours and student finance lectures. If you are visiting with a group of friends, you might want to split into smaller groups, attend one talk each and then swap notes.
Open days can feel very busy, but it is also important to make sure you get some time to yourself. You may want to take photos of the campus or city, to help you remember it. While you are there, think about the atmosphere and ask yourself whether you could live and study in this place for the next 3-4 years?
Your time at university is likely to be one of the happiest of your life, so it really is important to choose the right place. Getting the most out of your open day can really help. If you have any more open day advice, please leave it in the comments section below!
Author Bio:
Rhosanna Jenkins is a dedicated writer and student. Her own open day experiences completely changed her opinion on which university she wanted to attend.
Thank you..!