How to prepare for an Open Day
An open day is the best way to get a taste of university. You can chat to staff and students, check out the facilities on campus and look around the city. However, it is difficult to know how to prepare for an open day – especially if it is your first one – so I have gathered some tips and useful information so you can get the most out of your day.
What to do before you attend the open day:
Book your place: Booking and planning all the open days you want to go to in advance ensures you get a place and gives you time to arrange travel. Asking you parents to drive you from Bristol to York the day before isn’t going to go down well, so make sure you have everything planned in good time! . The UCAS open day search tool lists all university open dates: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/events?query=
Decide which tours and talks to attend: The Uni will have lots going on so make sure you know where to be and at what time. The schedule of talks is available around 2 weeks before the open day so you can create a personalised itinerary based on your interests and priorities well in advance.
Think about what you want to get out of the open day: Which departments do you want to visit and who do you want to meet – think about the questions you want to ask these people too!
Plan how to get there: If you’re coming by public transport, check timetables and how far away the Uni is from the station of bus stop. Go to York St John Universities ‘Find Us’ page https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/find-and-contact-us/ for more information on how to get to us.
Make plans to explore the area: Find out what it has to offer and get a feel for it to find out if it is somewhere you can see yourself living and thriving in.
Top Tips for during the open day:
Engage with students: It is a great idea to speak and engage with current students during your visit at an open day as they have an authentic first-hand experience of what student life, on campus and around the city you will be living in is like, providing you with many do’s and don’ts.
Ask lots of questions: You want to leave the open day feeling as informed as possible and many things you want to know may not be easily answered online.
Be open-minded: Explore programmes, societies and facilities beyond your initial interest as you never know what opportunities they could offer.
Collect materials and take notes: Gather brochures and flyers and jot down important information that will help make your decision process easier after your visit.
Questions to ask during the open day:
-What grades do I need to get for the course?
-How is the course assessed? Is there a mix of coursework, exams, and presentations?
-Are there opportunities for work placements or years abroad?
-How and when do I have to apply for accommodation?
-Are there any jobs on campus for students?
-What clubs and societies are available?
Our next open days will be taking place on:
Tuesday 2nd July, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Saturday 17th August, 9:15am to 3:30pm
Click the link to book your place: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/meet-us/open-days/
By actively engaging with all the staff and students, exploring campus facilities and asking questions you’ll gain a valuable insight and make informed decisions about your future. But overall make sure you enjoy the experience!
