Open days can be the make-or-break moment in deciding where your student chooses to study. And they’ll need your support to help them make this important choice.
Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie to the university open day, we’ve put together this handy parent and supporter open day guide, which is full of our top tips.
Read on to find out how to make the most of open days. We’ve suggested what to do before, during and after the event, so you can support your student as they figure out what’s right for them.
Before attending an open day
There are a few things to consider before you even head to an open day. Preparing ahead of time is a key part of helping your student make the best decision for them based on the information they receive.
Be choosy about which open days to attend
If you’re spoiled for choice and having trouble deciding which events to attend, have a look at impartial websites to get an idea of the rankings and reputations of the universities before you book. This should help you to decide where to invest your time.
Use each university’s website or prospectus to see which courses they have available. This will also help your student to narrow down their options, if they haven’t quite decided on a course/subject area yet. Rankings won’t matter to your student if the university doesn’t offer the course they are passionate about.
You can search for all courses using the UCAS website and see individual university websites for more specific course information.
Campus or city?
You may also want to compare universities spread across a town or city centre to those that have a campus location to get a feel for them both (we’ve written a helpful article on this particular debate).
One thing that we would recommend is that you visit, if you can. Visiting the campus or city allows you to immerse yourself in the environment where your student will be spending the next three to four years of their life. And gives your student more of an idea of what it’ll be like to study there.
Plan your day
Edge Hill will send your student the online version of the open day programme in advance of the event. This gives you the opportunity to look through everything happening at the event and see what’s most important to you. It can help to write down the key talks or tours you want to attend, so you won’t miss a thing.
Don’t worry if you can’t make every open day. Universities often offer campus tours throughout the year to give you another chance to visit. If you fancy a refresh after visiting or live a bit further away, some universities also offer virtual open days or tours.
You may also want to factor in planning things like parking, particularly at a city location. Luckily, at Edge Hill we have free onsite parking for over 2,400 cars, so that’s one thing you can tick off your list.
Don’t forget: Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing lots of walking, much of it outdoors, so ensure that you are dressed for the unpredictable weather.
Prepare some questions beforehand
Have a chat with your student about the sort of things you’d like to know beforehand and encourage them to come ready with questions. You may have questions yourself, and that’s great too.
Asking people associated with the University may give you a better insight than you’d be able to find online.
On the day
The day of the open day is all about your student. While parents are welcome to ask any questions and explore, we do recommend you take a step back and let your student take the lead. This helps them to make their own decision, with your support.
Encourage your student to attend subject sessions
Open days will include a range of subject talks or taster sessions, designed to give your student a taster of what it will be like to study. We strongly recommend that your student plans their day around their subject session. They’re a great opportunity for students to meet other like-minded young people and picture themselves at university.
Supporters should encourage students to attend these sessions. This may be daunting for them at first, but they will really get to know whether the course is right for them. And they’ll have the chance to chat to the teaching staff one-on-one.
Take a campus tour
To get a real feel for our award-winning campus, you should take a campus tour. Our organised tours can quickly help you find your bearings and give you some facts about the university that you might otherwise not have found out.
Campus tours are also often led by current students or student ambassadors who can give you a student’s perspective and a chance to ask any questions. You can later explore the campus yourself and go back to any places of interest for a second look.
Chat to staff and students
There are lots of different staff that you can speak to at an open day, from the academic tutors to the cleaners. Speak to everyone and get firsthand experience from their perspective on what they do and how they feel about working there.
Edge Hill open days have student guides on hand throughout campus. Staff are also on hand to help and give practical advice, giving you another perspective. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions that your student won’t.
Forgotten to ask a question? Don’t worry, you can live chat with our students and ask any questions you might have left out on the day.
Attend general talks throughout the day
Attending talks will give you and your student information on student life and support that you might not have known about. At Edge Hill’s welcome talk, you’ll hear about a range of important information and more about the University. From student finance to accommodation and student support.
This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about Edge Hill and whether it is right for your student.
Stop for refreshments
Open days can be busy, so this is a great chance to stop and take stock of what you’ve heard, plus share your first impressions before going onto the next stop. Edge Hill provide free refreshments for visitors at all our open days. So don’t forget to stop for a break and chat about the day so far.
There are plenty of options for lunch in our Hub too. And there’s something to suit every taste. Keep a look out for deals on the day and take some time to relax and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere.
After the open day
Take some time to reflect on your experience of the day, but remain objective. Your student may look to you for advice and guidance, but let them lead the conversation if possible.
Take some time to sit down together after your visit while it’s still fresh in your mind and write down the pros and cons of each institution and get them to reflect on what’s important to them. Remember, you can always ask questions after the day or go back for a second look to reassure them of their decision.
It’s not just about the course
Yes, the course is important, and it’s likely that your student has had all this information in advance from prospectuses or websites but make sure you check out all the other things the university has to offer. You might think about:
- What’s the accommodation like?
- How much does it cost?
- How safe and secure is it?
- What extra-curricular support is available?
- Does the university have different clubs and societies? How does this fit into their timetable?
- What work opportunities are available on and off campus?
- How do they keep their students safe?
- What’s the nearest town or city like?
All key questions to consider outside of the curriculum, as living at university is about so much more than just getting a degree.
Not booked your open day place yet?
You can find out everything you need to know about Edge Hill’s open days, how to book and see why we’re award-winning for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Useful links
November 15, 2022
