University Open Day Survival Guide
- Hollie
- Aug 16, 2019
- 3 min read
Over this past summer I attended a total of 9 University Open Days, and I know that going into September there will be some of you continuing to look at various universities. These are my tips and tricks that I think might help you guys.
Plan Your Day
Before the open day begins, you should be able to access the schedule for the day and be able to have a look at what accommodation is available, whether this be online or some universities will send a copy of this through the mail. A good thing to be aware of is that often only a few accommodation buildings will be open, so having a look at what else is on offer online is always a good choice.
One of the most beneficial things you can do is roughly plan out your day before arriving at the University, but also ensure you have enough flexibility to stray from your plan if you find something that interests you.
I always recommend to see:
Subject talks
Subject stands to have a one-on-one conversation with faulty/students
Accommodation
Student Union
Most Universities also do have talks revolving around student life or admissions, which could be beneficial. I myself did not attend any of these, instead I opted to spend as much time looking around the city and University as possible.
Be Comfortable
My uniform for open days was pretty consistently comfortable dresses with some stretch to them, this one was from H&M last year; my Nike trainers and an over sized denim jacket from Boohoo. Then, to keep my hair out of my eyes, I would put half my hair up in a bun and straighten the rest of it. It was a simple look that I could recreate, it was comfortable and it allowed me to move easily.
Throughout the open days I did various levels of makeup. Some days I wore a full face complete with false eyelashes and others it was some concealer and mascara. Whatever feels most comfortable and - especially if you have to wake up early - is easiest for you, is the best way to go. When you're thinking about a decision like university, you want to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Prepare Questions
There will be a chance for you to go to talk to either current students or faculty for the subject you want to study. It is best to go in with some basic questions that could apply to every university in order to start a conversation.
Some good questions to ask may be:
Do you have a study abroad program?
Do you do industry placements?
What modules are particularly popular?
How many contact hours are there a week?
Are there opportunities to take modules from other departments alongside your course?
Explore the City
You may be tempted to stay within the University campus or the area where University buildings are, but it's always worth venturing out a little bit to have a look at where the University actually is. One of the best times to do this is usually to find somewhere to eat, as not only does this give an idea of the prices in the city, but it also ensure that you are actually looking at the places you are passing in order to decide where to eat.
The city itself can be very important depending on whether you prioritise nightlife, proximity to University buildings, budget or how busy it is.
Trust Your Gut
Often attending open days can be very overwhelming but one of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to trust your gut. Your instinct of how you feel about a place, especially based on the vibe that you get from it, is so important when you are choosing where you may be living for the next three or more years of your life.
I know that there were some places we travelled miles to get to, and as soon as I got out of the car I knew that I didn't want to go there. It can be frustrating but if you don't think a place feels like it's for you, don't feel bad for not wanting to have a look around. It's all part of the process, and you can't like every single place that you visit.
Try to Relax
It's a stressful day for everyone, especially if you don't know where you're going. Just take everything one step at a time and make sure you communicate with whoever you are spending the day with.
University Open Days are so fun, and they are designed so you have enough time to see everything you want to see. So if you are getting a bit stressed out, take a break, have some coffee and you'll still have plenty of time to have a look at everything.
I hope you all have a great time looking around and choosing universities. I wish all of you the best in your applications.
Your stage is waiting.
Hollie x
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