University Open Days Masterpost
I'm aware that the university open days have probably already started and some may even have finished, although there will be more!
I was always terrified about open days because I had no idea what to expect. I'm very lucky that I had the opportunity to attend quite a few!
So here's just a list of things that might help you!
Research is crucial. My dream was to get to university so I had been researching universities 3 years prior to when I actually needed to.
It's extremely daunting when suddenly you're told you have to make decisions about your future. So please research carefully! If you have an idea of what you want to do, I recommend looking at local universities first then branch out to universities further abroad.
Consider the grade boundaries. The course I'm doing is available in numerous universities. However, when I compared grades, a local university here had more manageable grade boundaries than other universities and the requirements were suited to what qualifications I had.
Don't limit yourself to one type of course. Very often you'll find yourself changing your mind numerous times before you make a final decision.
Branch out and look at what is in your interest, what you're good at and even look at beginner courses if you want to try something new!
Often universities will provide your school or will post the open day timetables on their websites. Use these wisely! Often different lectures will overlap, therefore make sure you have a backup plan if you wish to attend certain lectures. Check to see if there are exhibition halls where you can pick up information at stalls if you miss a lecture.
Prepare to take notes. I made sure to pack a pen and notebook for taking notes during the course lectures to ensure I had the crucial information noted down because often the website description of a course will not have everything you need to know.
Look at the campus maps. Yes, as simple as it may seem it's important! Try and familiarise yourself with the campus map online. At the university you will probably be given a map but you will find it easier to read if you already have an idea of how it looks.
Talk to your friends. Most universities will have fun activities and free food available at an open day. This can seriously be a distraction. Most of my classmates and their friends found free cotten candy more interesting and ended up missing out on their lectures.
Your friends will have different lectures they wish to attend. Plan this out with them. For example; Friend A has a lecture at 11:30 am that lasts an hour. You can both meet up at 12:30 pm outside that lecture room and head for lunch. Your lecture isn't until 1:30 pm. So while your friend is in their lecture, you can take the opportunity to visit the exhibition hall, go on a tour, or get that free cotten candy!
If you're going to an open day with your parents, make sure you take the stand and tell them what you're going to be doing. Tell them what lectures you will go to and not what they want you to do. It's your future. My dad actually liked the idea of my courses after visiting the open days and talking to teachers when before he was not convinced.
Practice talking. This may seem silly. But it definitely is not! First impressions make a huge difference! Don't feel shy to tell teachers what you have in regards to qualifications as this will interest them. Tell them why you're interested in the course. Ask them as many questions as you like! Even go the extra mile to shake their hand at first greeting (trust me when I say this makes all the difference). A nice smile is also key. I met numerous lovely lecturers and had a few even saying they'd love to have me as a student. Make yourself memorable!
Write down the questions you want to ask. Otherwise you will forget the question after the lecture because you'll have been distracted by new facts. You will only remember the question after you no longer have the chance to ask it.
It's okay to be nervous! It's a new place, there are new people and they are aware of how daunting this is to you.
Don't just speak to teachers and lecturers. Talk to the students! Often they will give you more information than the teachers, and will give you an insight to a student's perspective. I've mentioned making a good impression with the teachers? Make a good impression with the students! They can tell teachers about you. But don't forget, not everyone is the same. If one student entered first year already having linguistic knowledge in a beginner's language course, you are not them! Are you a beginner? That's fine! Do not let this information impact your learning. If you were accepted on the course and are on an open day specifically for applicants, you're there because the university wants you! Even if you are a beginner.
Take notes! I already mentioned the preparation to this. But on the day remember just bullet points will be enough. There will be a lot of information stated and it'll be a lot to take note of. Ignore the things that are written on the website that the teachers repeat. Write down what you didn't know before.
Listen to other people's questions! You may have your own questions, but someone else might have the same question. Even better, someone may have a question you didn't think of previously.
Make that good impression! If you're with your parents, don't let them talk for you. Stand up and speak for yourself. Let the teachers know what you're capable of and even surprise your parents at how much research you've done!
Don't be scared to ask questions. Even wait until after the lecture to ask questions as this allows you to be more open about your question and get a more personal insight.
Take flyers! Ahh flyers, annoying, right? Wrong. If you're at an exhibition with information about the courses, facilities and anything related to the university, take the flyers, leaflets, brochures, booklets, anything! These will give you crucial information you may not have known, as well as contacts for if you have further questions.
Go on as many tours as possible. Universities can be huge and often the maps aren't as accurate as Google Maps. The tour guides will often provide you with additional information you didn't know and you can also ask them questions as they will be willing to help.
If you feel a teacher is speaking to fast during a lecture and you're a bit slow at taking notes, try recording the lecture! The simple audio recording app on your phone will do the trick!
Even if you've done the research and don't find anything you like at the university, engage in the open day anyway! Go to a few lectures, go on campus tours, engage in conversation as this can make a huge difference.
Exploring the campus can make a difference. If you don't like the environment or atmosphere, even the location of the campus, it can impact on your learning! Make sure you're happy where you're studying and not just with what you're studying.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Please ensure you go to open days. These are crucial! I went to numerous open days. Some were with my school, others with my parents and some even on my own.
They seriously make a difference in relation to your interpretation of the university, how you feel at the university, the teachers and the students. These all play a crucial part in your learning and your future.
It's important to be happy with where you're going! And who knows, you may even find that university isn't for you and that's okay!
Tomorrow I'll post some of my open day experiences 💕
