Making the Most of an Applicant Day

So, you’ve chosen the University of Chester as your firm or insurance choice, and you want to attend an Applicant Day, but how do you get the most out of the day? This is a short guide on where to go, what to do and who to speak to, including the things I did during my own visit.

Applying to Attend an Applicant Day

Visit the University of Chester website to apply to attend an Applicant Day; you’ll find all the information you need about what to expect when you attend.

Where to Start

The first thing you should do is get to know your campus. This will be your learning site for the duration of your course, so you’ll be spending a lot of time here. You can either do this by having a look around yourself and getting a feel for it, or, even better, go on a student-led campus tour. This is a fantastic way to get all the information you need about the buildings and areas you will be working or socialising in. Student ambassadors are there to help, so ask them questions and have a chat with them about their own experience of the University. To find out which campus your course is on, please refer to the link section at the end of the blog.

Accommodation

Your accommodation is your living space for your first year, and possibly the following years too. It is important to see your accommodation in person, then you know what it will be like to live there, and what things you need to bring with you. There are accommodation tours where you will be given time to take it all in. Use the time wisely; my top tip is to bring a tape measure, it may sound strange, but measuring things is the best way to check what you can fit in your room! Think about how you can make the room your own, look at the colours and see how you can accessorise it best! If you’re planning on staying in partner accommodation, you can arrange tours by contacting their teams directly. For example, I stayed at Tudor Place and was able to have a tour and see what the whole building was like, not just my room.

Academic Subject Area

While the campus and living spaces are extremely important, your course subject area and the people you meet will shape the academic side of university. You’ll be able to speak to the lecturers about what you’ll learn, how they teach and how you will be assessed. It’s a great opportunity to ask any questions about your studies and discuss any worries you may have about the course. One of the most beneficial aspects for me was speaking to a second-year student, who told me how her first year of studying went. Students are honest and open about how they’ve found the course, as they have gone through it in the same way you will. My best advice is to ask questions; this is your university degree, and you need to know what you’ll get out of it and whether it is right for you. I chose to study BA Philosophy, Ethics and Religion, and am now in my second year here.

The City

So, you have experienced the University, but that is not the only selling point for coming to the University of Chester. The city itself is beautiful and full of things to do. If you are interested in history, the city is surrounded by Roman walls that you can walk around, and I love the Roman gardens too. Chester Cathedral is spectacular, and you can go on tours to learn the history of this amazing building. The streets of Chester are lined with Tudor buildings, and it is definitely worth walking along the Rows and doing some shopping. One of my favourite parts of the city is Chester Market; it’s full of a huge variety of food, from burritos to pasta, and has plenty of seating. Just take a walk around and see for yourself what a great city Chester is – it isn’t too big and has a safe atmosphere wherever you go. This was a key selling point for my parents and I, compared to the other cities I/we had visited. I knew I would be safe in Chester.

My Advice

An Applicant Day is a chance to assess the University and see if it’s right for you. As I’ve already mentioned, ask as many questions as you can, it’s all about you and whether you will enjoy your time there. Speak to people, both staff and students, who can give you an account of their own time at the University of Chester. Assess whether you can see yourself on campus, spending the next few years in this environment, including the accommodation, academic spaces and social areas. While parents are there to guide you and help you decide, remember that you are choosing the University for you.