University Open Days
If you are applying for university this year, you are likely to have a lot of questions and will be anxious to make sure that you are making the right decision for you – and for your future. Universities know this and want to give students the knowledge to make informed decisions – as well as to convince you that their institution stands out! University open days are your chance to visit a variety of campuses (and cities) so that you get a feel for what life would be like. This is somewhere that you will be spending at least three years of your life – and it is therefore very important that you are happy with your choice. Find out how you can prepare yourself for uni open days, why they are beneficial to you and how you can prepare:
What are university open days?
University open days are held every year by every university throughout the country, giving prospective students a chance to visit the institution and get a flavour of what it is like. This is, after all, a big decision and it is important that you feel as comfortable as possible with your choices. University open days often include guest speakers (typically alumni) who will ask you any questions that you might have, as well as tours of the campus and different departments.
When should you visit uni open days?
Every university will advertise the date of their open day – typically on their website. You should take a note of these and establish when and where you need to be. In the event that you are not able to make it in person, you have the option of attending a virtual open day that will usually involve a virtual tour of the campus and, depending on the university, a question-and-answer session. Where possible, you should aim to attend university open days prior to submitting your personal statements and applications. Why? Because this will mean that you can tailor your statement to make a case as to why this university is the perfect fit for you. Uni open days tend to be clustered in a similar time-frame so you should be able to co-ordinate them easily and – most importantly – to arrive prepared!
How many uni open days should I go to?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some students have a fixed idea in their heads of what university they want to go to and visiting the insitution is more of a box-ticking exercise. For others (and the vast majority), the sheer variety on offer can be a bit overwhelming and it is therefore a very good idea to visit a number of campuses so that you can compare and contrast. What is ’right’ for one person could be an entirely wrong fit for another, and so this is your chance to explore the university and surrounding area and ask yourself, ’Can I see myself here?’. Depending on the number of universities that you are applying for, it is advisable that you attend the uni open days for the universities that you have identified as the top contenders for your course of choice. This will mean that when you receive offers, you have a rough idea of what your favoured option was and can make an informed decision. Would you buy a car without going on a test drive first? Testing several cars would then allow you to notice differences between them and figure out which one felt the best for you. Uni open days are no different! Busy university campuses are situated within very different cities and the location is just as important as the course. Visiting different campuses and picking out the pros and cons is an excellent exercise in whittling down the options available to you – and soothing any anxieties that you might have.
How can I prepare for University open days?
The most important thing that you can do is make a list of the university open days that you wish to attend and plan a schedule around this. If you cannot attend an open day, find out when their virtual open day is and try to fit this in. You will then have a strong idea of the timescale that you are working towards. Once you have done this, think about the following:
- University prospectus – download copies of the university prospectus for each of the universities that you are planning to visit. Spend time looking at the course options and selecting those that most appeal to you. This will mean that you are familiar with the department and modules and can go to the university open day prepared to ask specific questions to department members.
- Write a list of questions – These could be specific to your course of choice or more general, about life on campus, clubs and societies or the wider area. Go prepared! The staff members and students who host the uni open days will fully expect lots of questions from attendees so don’t be afraid to ask. Writing a list will mean that you don’t forget anything on the day!
- Compare and contrast – As you read the university prospectuses, you will find that although universities offer the same courses, the way that that they teach them can be very different indeed. Approach each univerisity from a comparative point of view and ask yourself, ’Do the modules for this course appeal to me more?’ – simply by scanning the available modules, you will be able to see the different focuses (often relating to the expertise of departmental staff).
Virtual uni open days
Try not to be alarmed if you find yourself in the situation where you cannot attend an open day in person. Lots of students will find themselves in the same situation – especially because of ongoing travel restrictions. Universities will have put a lot of time and care into their virtual open days, knowing the importance of these to attract students. Explore virtually and – if you have any questions after the virtual tour – don’t be afraid to contact university representatives for more information.