5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AT A UNI OPEN DAY

 1. DO THE STUDENTS LOOK HAPPY?

My mum would always ask me this as we walked around the Universities. You can get a good feel for the university by speaking  to the students. Unless they’ve been sworn to lie, this is the opportunity to hear honestly and unfiltered what the Uni is really like. Is their enthusiasm genuine? Speak to them and ask questions the student volunteers at the open days are always more than willing to chat with you and answer questions. 

2. IS THE COURSE INTERESTING? 

University is a 3 or 4 year commitment. As you’re in your course talk or walking around ask yourself: Could you imagine yourself doing the course for 3/4 years? At one of the universities I remember nearly falling asleep during the course talk at one of the open days I went to. That was a major red flag. You could be in love with your chosen course but just bare in mind that every Uni will teach it differently. Some may be more practical others more theoretical. So at that specific Uni does this course sound exciting, would you be eager to attend your lectures and could you happily spend hours researching for your projects. Basically ask yourself is this worth years of my life? 

3.  WHAT FACILITIES ARE USEFUL TO YOU AND YOUR COURSE?

A Universities’ facilities, or lack of, can make or break your decision. Look around at the facilities on offer. Shops, banks, Gym, Swimming pool, Bars, Cafe’s, Library etc. You’re going to spend most or all of your day on campus so it’s a bonus if it’s a good one. If you’re someone who enjoys to socialise not having a student bar or pub on campus would be a dealbreaker so make sure you have a thorough mooch around to check that they have the facilities that are useful to you. Or useful to your course, e.g if you’re studying a performing arts course, a University with an on campus theatre would set it apart from one that doesn’t. 

4.  WHAT IS THE AREA LIKE?

To really make the most of the open day I recommend either before or after going into the nearest city/town to your University campus. Have a walk around. What’s there? If you’re a shopaholic you might want to see what shops are in the centre or if you enjoy being outdoors, is there a close local park or easy access to the countryside. You just have to ask yourself: Could I imagine living here? Because essentially that’s exactly what you’re getting yourself in to. 

5. IS UNIVERSITY FOR ME? 

University isn’t for everyone and an open day can be just the thing to make you realise that it just isn’t for you at all. So don’t try and force yourself to love the idea of Uni, it’s fine if you don’t. Make sure you ask yourself that question at the end of the open day to be certain you’re making the best decision for you, no one else.