University open day guide: what to wear, take and prepare

A university open day is one of the best ways to find your dream uni. Get a feel for the place you might live and study for the next few years. See how current students live, explore the campus, and ask staff and students questions. Read on to learn all about university open days and how to prepare for them.

University open day guide: what to wear, take and prepare

A university open day is one of the best ways to find your dream uni. Get a feel for the place you might live and study for the next few years, see how current students live, explore the campus, and ask staff and students questions. Sounds like fun, right?

Want to make the most out of your uni open days? A little bit of forethought and prep can go a long way. Read on to learn all about university open days and how to prepare for them.

What is a university open day?

As the name suggests, a university open day is a day for prospective students to explore the university campus and facilities and find out more about the uni courses. Depending on the uni, open days can happen at various points through the year.

They often take place between semesters - such as during the Easter or summer break - so that students‘ studies aren’t disrupted, and course tutors and student guides can dedicate time to meeting prospective students.

You’ll be able to attend a uni open day if you’re studying for your A Levels or other qualifications in year 12 or 13, or if you’re applying through UCAS as a mature student. It’s a good idea to attend at least one uni open day before you choose a uni course and complete your UCAS application.

Depending on the uni open day you attend, the day might involve some or all of the following:

• Campus tours.

• Practice lectures.

• Student meet and greets – a great way to break the ice before

  Freshers Week.

• Question and answer sessions with current students.

• Student accommodation tours.

• Meetings with course or department heads.

How to prepare for uni open day

Visiting what could be your future uni is exciting! It’s going to be an action-packed day, so make sure you’re fully prepared:

• Consider what to wear

  : you’ll want to feel confident and relaxed, so opt for casual and comfortable clothes and comfy footwear as you’ll likely be walking most of the day.

• Travel plans

  : whether your uni of choice is ten minutes down the road or six hours away, it’s good to have your trip planned. Pre-booking train tickets can work out much cheaper than buying them on the day. If you’re driving, checking the usual journey time and where to park will make sure you don’t miss the start.

• Accommodation

  : if the uni is a long way from home, you might want to consider staying overnight so that you can enjoy the entire day without feeling rushed. That way you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city after the uni tour ends.

• Check the itinerary

  : you’ll probably receive with plenty of information in advance, so make sure you read it so you have an idea of what to expect. Depending on whether it’s a general open day or a course-specific day, there might be several things happening at any given time. You’ll need to decide which talks or tours you’d like to attend.

What to take to a uni open day

Don’t turn up empty handed, or you might miss out on vital information. Here are some essentials to take with you to your uni open day.

• Your open day pack with all the information for the day’s events.

• A bag for carrying documents and prospectuses you might pick up throughout the day.

• Someone else – second opinions are always helpful so a parent, guardian, friend or older sibling could be a big help.

• A notebook and pen for jotting down any notes or thoughts you have.

• Your smartphone or camera – taking lots of pictures and videos can help you remember key details, which is especially helpful if you’ll be attending several uni open days.

What to expect on the day

You’ve packed your bag and made your way to the open day, so what’s next?

Make a plan

Know what you want to do on the day and finish the things on your to-do list before you have a general look around. Apart from the guided tour around campus, you might have to decide where to go and what to see, which means you should make a to-do list for the day.

Preparation, such as narrowing down the subjects you’re interested in and events you’d like to attend will really help when you get there.

Sample the atmosphere

A university’s QS or Times ranking is simply a figure, an important reference but one that can’t be the sole basis for choosing a uni. Explore the facilities, the libraries, seminar rooms, study areas and students‘ union. Try to picture yourself there – how does it make you feel?

Take part in a trial seminar - this is the quickest way to get into a uni’s academic atmosphere. Most universities provide these on their open days, so make it a part of your prep to find out when and where they are.

Look at the lifestyle

Things like the standard of student accommodation, transport options to the uni campus, and monthly living costs should also be taken into consideration. Visit the accommodation and student services offices and speak to the knowledgeable staff there.

Just ask

Don't be shy! This is your opportunity to ask student ambassadors or staff whatever questions jump into your mind. Student ambassadors and staff were freshers once too, and understand what it’s like to be in your shoes. No question is too silly or small.

Have fun!

If you still have some time after finishing your to-do list, take a walk around the campus or the neighbourhood. You could even walk into the city to see what could be waiting in store for you if you were to live here for the next few years.

After uni open day

Give yourself some time to mull over the open day before setting your hat at the uni. Have a think about:

• Was the campus somewhere you could settle and feel at home?

• Did the facilities have what you need to make the most of your student experience?

• Did your preferred course seem right for you?

• Did you like the look of the accommodation?

• What did you like about the city? Did it fit your personality?

• Is it the right distance from home for you? Could you see yourself making the journey between semesters or during the holiday season?

• If you took someone with you, what did they think?

If you’re still unsure, it might be a good idea to attend a few other uni open days in different cities. You could also visit the uni again and spend more time exploring the city. If you think you’ve made your decision, you’ll need to decide on the right course. Read our guide to choosing a uni course for your UCAS application.