Editorials

A Guide to: Uni Open Days

10 July 2017

By Lauren E. White

With the summer now under way and exams put behind us (until August, that is), universities around the UK are opening their doors and inviting as many 16-and-17-year-olds as they can to come and visit.

For someone with no experience of universities whatsoever until Year 12, I totally understand all of the confusion, apprehension and sometimes overwhelming feeling that higher education can bring. So, I thought it would be good to fill you in on what happens at open days and what you can do to make the most of them without letting the stress take over.

1. Register your interest or book your place

It’s an obvious one to start off with, but one that is definitely necessary.

If it’s a while before the open day (some are in October and November), it’s good to register your interest beforehand so that the university can send you a reminder e-mail to book a place when booking is open.

For most university open days, you can’t just turn up on the day, so you must book a place on the open day. Make sure you check how many guests you are allowed and that you register for one (or two) of the department talks you’re interested in. They are very helpful and will answer most of your questions.

2. Speak to current students

Current students are the people on the ground, I like to think, and they are paid to speak to you, and be honest in what they say. It’s sometimes more useful to get an account of their life instead of asking an academic or someone from the university, especially about the accommodation.

Ask them how much it is to live there, the distance to the local supermarket, how many people live in the accommodation and then what happens in the second year of uni. It’s useful to understand the process and have it explained by someone who is currently going through it.

3. Speak to an academic

Yes, they are completely terrifying and you’re probably wondering if they somehow know who you are and will reject your application if you ask a stupid question. Honestly, though, there are no stupid questions and if you want to know something about the course in particular or want an overview, speak to them about it.

4. Make sure you investigate the career service

I didn’t realise until my first open day just how vital the career service at university is to the experience and prospects. It seemed to me like they make the world go round and are a far cry from the awful ten-minute sessions with a career adviser in Sixth Form.

Find out if the service is actively participating in broadening your horizons by sending e-mails with jobs or work experience and how hard working they are to make your dream of a placement come true.

5. Think: ‘value for money’

It is very easy to get carried away with league tables and prestige, but you must remember that these universities are going to put you in tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt and while there you’ll be bending over backwards to meet deadlines. You want to go to a uni that wants you there and shows it.

Thinking about value for money is the best way to do that. Evaluate the opportunities, facilities and support available against how much money you’ll be paying and you’ll soon realise which uni actually deserves the money and where you can really make the most of it.

Good luck and enjoy your open days!

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