How to get the most out of an Open Day

1. Make a plan before you attend the Open Day 

The best piece of advice we can give is: prepare. Attending an Open Day is exciting, but it can be overwhelming too. If you arrive at the university with a rough plan of what you would like to see and learn about, it can help you navigate what can be quite a busy day of talks, tours and exploring.

2. Think about how you are going to get there

Planning ahead means also planning your route to the university. Do you intend to travel by public transport? We’d recommend booking your train travel in advance, for instance – booking on the day can be much more expensive, and it means you can have the reassurance of having your tickets ready to go when you start your journey. 

If you are driving, think about allowing extra time for getting lost or being delayed in traffic. Most Open Days take place on weekends, so even though you probably won’t be contending with rush hour commuters, you may find that travelling by car takes longer than you expected.  

It is also a good idea to find out what parking provision is in place at your chosen university. Most universities, like Leeds Trinity, will have this information on their website or it will have been emailed to you before the Open Day.

After some research through the UCAS website, I found Leeds Trinity and booked onto an Open Day. I instantly knew this was the ideal place for me to study, in fact it swayed me completely and became my first choice. Every person I spoke to or met was so friendly, welcoming, and most of all understanding of the daunting experience that moving to university is! I had not received this kind of treatment at any other university that I had visited, I felt so certain of putting LTU as number one.

Sabina Lee, Criminology, Investigation and Policing graduate

3. You may need to bring these to an Open Day 

We’d recommend bringing along a parent, guardian, relative or friend. It helps to have a second opinion when choosing a university, even though it is ultimately your decision. They should have your best interests at heart and can be a good sounding board for you on the day. It also helps having someone there who might have questions to ask that you didn’t consider.  

You may be sent instructions about how to check in when you arrive to the Open Day, so make sure you have the email or letter to hand when you arrive. If you do have all your check-in details on your mobile or device, consider packing a portable charger. Open Days can be a long day out, especially if you’ve travelled from far away, and being caught without juice can make your day a bit more awkward than it needs to be.  

4. You can never ask too many questions

Think about the questions you’d like to ask the uni tutors or student ambassadors that will be on-hand to help you. If you have questions about your UCAS application or your personal statement, the university should have someone there to help answer your queries. If finding the right career at the end of your studies is a big priority for you, then you can chat to careers advisors or course tutors about the kind of industries or roles that could be opened up to you after your studies. 

I came to an Open Day where I learned how beneficial small classes can be especially for Computer Science. The quote which I remember and believe that my lecturers still live by is “here you’re seen as a name rather than a number” and this meant that when asking for help it was much easier for lecturers to know the students for who they are as a person as well as understanding how students work best.

Zain Aziz, Computer Science student 

5. Always go to the subject talk 

Once you’ve understood more about student life at the university, the subject talks are probably the most important aspect of an Open Day. These talks focus specifically on the subject you are thinking about studying and give you some vital insight into the kind of work you will be doing, assignments you’ll complete, a typical timetable and even professional work placements that can be available. This is your opportunity to get up close and personal with the subject you’re keen to study, and this is when you can ask all those questions you’ve prepped beforehand.  

6. Get to know your surroundings

If you have time, explore beyond the campus. If you choose to live on campus or close to the uni in other student accommodation, getting a feel of where you’ll be spending at least the next three years of your life is probably a good idea. Consider these points: 

• Where is the local supermarket?  
• Will you be living elsewhere and travelling to campus every day? What are the transport options available to you?  
• Is there any nightlife or a café culture nearby?  

• How about green spaces to unwind in?  

A great tip is to try and imagine yourself living/working/studying there throughout the Open Day. Can you see yourself at this university?  

7. And finally…bring an umbrella!

We don’t mean to nag, but if you are visiting a university in the UK, then the weather can be unpredictable. A waterproof or something to keep you dry might prove invaluable. 

Find out more about our upcoming Open Days and book your place here. 

Come to the Open Day, speak with the tutors, and have a look around. Nothing beats first-hand experience of what the University is offering.

Dean Lund, Psychology student

Get to know Leeds Trinity