Five Tips for Your Open Day Visit

1. Get an information pack

When you’re attending an Open Day, make sure that you grab a copy of the information packs provided. Sometimes you will end up with multiple, with some being for the university in general, whilst others are subject-specific. Keep an eye out to ensure you have all the supplies available for you to take home and look into after the day, as you will be getting a lot of information thrown at you in one go. It can be really easy to forget some of the more important things that could influence your decision later on.

2. Take notes about your course

Make notes on your phone or in a notepad on the key aspects of your chosen course. Jot down anything you find significant as this will work well when you pair your own notes with the information packs provided from the university. From these notes, you should be able to make a more informed decision on what course you want to study when you’re back home. Having a collection of bullet points that are important to you also means you have a better understanding of each university you look at. It’ll make it easier to compare the pros and cons of each course so you can figure out where works best for you.

3. Speak to your potential lecturers

Have a chat with your potential future lecturers and find out what the teaching methods are on the course, such as the in-person to online ratio, as well as class sizes and how you’re assessed. These are all critical things which may influence your decision, so make sure this is something you get answers to on the day! It is also helpful to explore what extracurricular activities and projects are available to students on your course, as university isn’t just about lectures and seminars. Asking the lecturers about your course in more depth allows you to gain a better sense of who they are as people, since they will likely be the ones teaching you on a weekly basis.

4. Speak to students

At an Open Day, you have the advantage of physically being on campus and surrounded by current students, so it can be really helpful to discuss the course you’re interested in with them to gain insights from a student’s perspective. This not only allows you to see your course from a different point of view, but also allows you to gain a better understanding of student life in general. Talking to current students means you can learn from an authentic source about how the university supports their students. You can also speak to student services and other staff to find out more about the university’s approach to guidance, should you need it during your time studying.

5. Explore the city

My final tip, which I found crucial when attending university Open Days, is to explore the city. You’re going to be spending a lot of time there as a student, so you need to make sure that the area is somewhere that you would feel comfortable and confident navigating. It also gives you a wider sense of the type of environment you will be moving to which is important on whether you’re deciding on a city campus or a closed campus setting. It also gives you the chance to see how far away accommodation and local shops are, as well as get an insight into the city’s culture.

Make sure to check out all upcoming Open Days at the University of Chester and use these tips to get the most out of your visit!