Making the most of an open day

So, you’re thinking of going to university and you’ve booked onto a few open days to find out more about the course, the location and the student life. With so much going on throughout the day, you want to make sure you come away feeling informed. I have shared my top tips on making the most of an open day.

Make a list of questions beforehand

Attending an open day can be quite full-on, so it’s always a good idea to come up with a few things you want to ask before arriving. These things may include what the facilities are like, what study spaces are available and the quality of student support.

You might also want to ask about specific course content, so jot down any modules you have questions about or particular areas you're interested in. Most universities will offer you the chance to speak to a course lecturer or student ambassador who studies the course on the open day, which is the perfect chance to ask your questions!

Plan out your day

Most universities will provide a programme of events for their open day, which is either sent to you beforehand or given to you when you arrive. The programme should include a schedule for the day with locations and timings, as well as useful information and maps.

Take your time to read through and work out which things you want to attend and plan out your day with those timings in mind. Remember to leave some free time to get to and from different locations, plus some additional time in the day to get out and explore the city and local area. You might not visit again so make sure you see as much as possible.

Take someone else with you

While the idea of moving hundreds of miles away from home might be ideal for you, it might be a big worry for your family.

That’s why it can be a great idea to take your parents or family members with you on an open day. Not only does it give them the chance to see where you might be living and studying for the next three years but also to help reassure them that you are making the right choice. This is also a great opportunity for them to ask their questions to the different teams that are present at the open day too.

Make sure you go on an accommodation tour so that you and your guest have a good insight into what living at university is like, from what size the rooms are to the university's security protocols.

Talk to the students

It’s always a great idea to talk to the current students or student ambassadors; not only are they the best people to share their own real-life experiences, but they may even give you some tips.

Try and talk to someone who is studying on the course you’re looking to apply for, as they can answer the nitty-gritty questions about workload, classes and student life. You need to remember that no question is a stupid question! The students will have a go at answering any queries you have, so make sure to ask them! Chances are, your ‘silly question’ is something that lots of people worry about, so the other people in your group will probably be relieved that someone asked it.

Visit the local area

When you go to study at a university, you’re signing up to live there for three years, so it’s vital to make sure that it has everything you want.

Think about the things you like to do at home in your spare time; if you love a bit of retail therapy, check out what shops are in town, or which shopping centres are accessible by public transport. Or if a thriving nightlife is important to you, check out online reviews for the venues themselves. 

At Winchester, we have open day buses which run you to and from the sports facilities at Bar End, which is about 2km away. There you will find a sports stadium with an eight lane athletics track, an all weather sports pitch and Winchester Sport and Leisure Park. Take a look at some of the incredible facilities here. 

If the local town is within walking distance of the university, it’s definitely a great idea to walk there at the end of the open day. Not only will you be able to scope out the area for yourself, but it’ll also give you a good idea of how easy/difficult getting around will be if you do decide to move there. 

To find out when our next Open Day is and to book your place, check out our Open Days page.

About the author:

Sophie Bourne is a 1st-year History student.

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