A student’s guide to an Open Day at YSJ

June 19, 2025 AMY NORBURY

My guide to making the most of your York St John University Open Day

If you’re thinking about attending an Open Day at York St John University, you’re in for a good time. I still remember mine clearly, nerves, excitement, and about a million questions running through my head! Whether you’re completely sure about your course or still figuring things out, Open Days are the best way to really feel what a university is like. Here’s everything I wish I’d known before I went, and what helped me make sure YSJ is the place for me!

Before the day:

1. Make a rough plan.
YSJ’s Open Day schedule is usually online before you even arrive, with course talks, campus tours, and stands to chat to people. I found it really helpful to check the timetable beforehand and pick out the sessions I definitely wanted to go to (get to a subject specific talk if you can – especially if you haven’t decided a course!). Try not to cram too much, the talks are great, but sometimes it’s good to be flexible and leave time to wander and soak it all in.

2. Bring a notebook (or use your phone notes).
There’s a lot of info to learn on Open Days! It’s easy to forget things later. I jotted down key points from the course talk, some key points about placement, course structure, and notes about the accommodation and societies I was interested in! I do recommend bringing a notebook because whilst nobody will comment on you making notes on your phone – sitting in a lecture theatre on your phone feels SO rude, so you’ll wish you had something to physically write in!

3. Don’t be afraid to bring someone.
I brought my dad and sister, though neither of them have been to university, they were really good at picking up on things I would’ve missed (like discussing how far/close different accommodation was to the city centre!). Whether it’s a parent, friend, or sibling, it’s great to have someone to bounce thoughts off, it’s a big, scary thing coming to an Open Day, so having someone you feel comfortable with can help it all run smoother.

4. Write down a few questions in advance.
You’ll feel so much more confident approaching staff and students if you’ve got a few things ready to ask. Trust me, I made the mistake of having no questions for my first Open Day and I regretted it.

Questions like:

What’s a typical week like in this course? Does the timetable change?
(if your course has placement) How do placements work? How will I get there?
How much practical work is there? Is it exam/coursework/essay based?
What’s support like for wellbeing and careers?
(if you’re speaking to a student ambassador) What’s your favourite part about YSJ?
How can I find out about different sports/societies?
What is the social life like here?

On the day:

First impressions?
Get a feel for the place! Talk to everyone, from the student ambassadors to the lecturers to the support staff. For me, talking to everyone had me feeling so welcomed, it made me feel like they genuinely cared about helping us make the right decision. There was no selling the uni, just honest answers and smiles. The student ambassadors in particular were great, I didn’t get the sense it was just a job for them, it felt like more!

I went to:

My course talk, which made the degree feel a bit more real, meeting lecturers and seeing the course I could really imagine myself studying there.
A campus tour, which helped me picture my daily life, imagined walking around, grabbing a coffee, studying in the library!
Accommodation visits, were super helpful, it is great to see a potential room and imagine how you’re going to decorate it and imagine living there. I went to visit a few, even ones that weren’t open, just to get a feel for the walking distance from uni and town, so I had a clearer idea for when I applied!
The support desks, I had a chat about finance and budgeting, student life and also wellbeing options! it was great to know I was well supported should I need it!

Chat with student ambassadors!
I’ve already mentioned it but seriously, make use of them! They’ll tell you what they really think about the course, nightlife, lecturers, and even which coffee spots are best on campus (if that’s what you’re after!). I learned loads from those informal chats, and I found it’s the best way to actually get your student life questions answered, they get paid either way so have no reason to lie!

Top tips for the day

Don’t rush—slow down and absorb the vibe. How does it feel walking around? Can you imagine yourself sitting in a lecture here? Chilling in the library?
Ask practical questions, not just course content. What support is there for mental health? Are there part-time job opportunities in the city? What’s student life like?
Wear comfy shoes (you’ll thank me later) (I did like 20k steps).
Explore the local area! York is absolutely beautiful. Alongside walking to accommodation sites, I wandered into the Shambles, walked along the walls, queued up for a little ghost (the queue wasn’t too long so it didn’t take hours!) and grabbed food at Baileys cafe – 10/10 recommend taking it slow because you’ll be back! So you don’t need to see it all!

Looking back

The Open Day made a huge difference for me. It wasn’t just about the course, it was how safe and excited I felt walking around the campus. YSJ had this warm, personal vibe that really stood out from other unis I visited. It was less overwhelming, more comforting, and visiting it helped me picture a version of myself that was happy, confident, and inspired to study here!

Final thoughts

If you’re on the fence about going to an Open Day at York St John, or at any uni – go! You’ll come away with so much more clarity, and maybe even a little more excitement for your future. Take the chance to ask every question, walk every street, and really imagine yourself as a student here, there is no better way to do it!

YSJ isn’t just a university, it’s a community. And an Open Day is your first glimpse at seeing that. Make the most of it and don’t be afraid to ask questions – it’s what you’re there to do!

During our Open Day, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with our student ambassadors and hear first-hand about their experiences at YSJ. In the meantime, you can get a glimpse into student life by reading Grace’s blog, where she shares why she chose to study at York St John.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot at our exciting Open Days on Tuesday, 1 July, and Saturday, 16 August! Explore our beautiful campus and get a real feel for student life in the historic city of York.