If you’re leaving school or college in the not too distant future, you may be thinking about what to do next.
Maybe you know you want to go to university; maybe you haven’t given it much thought.
No matter where you are in the planning stage, open days are a great way to gauge whether university is a good option. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of a university or college open day.
Do
Plan ahead
If you’re planning on heading off to uni or college, that means you probably have a rough idea of the course or courses that you’re interested in taking.
Look at itineraries online to see when talks are for specific courses, and make a plan for the day.
You’re there to get as much information about the university and what it can offer you, so help future you make this huge life decision by getting all the information available.
https://twitter.com/gcutoday/status/1049324882507517952
Ask questions
We’re not saying you have to stand up in a lecture and ask a question in front of the whole room, but if you have questions you want to ask, don’t be afraid.
Lecturers and class tutors often stand at subject stalls and are available to talk to throughout the day. Many will wait behind after information sessions to discuss with individuals who didn’t want to ask questions in front of a crowd.
No question is stupid, and we guarantee you they’ll have heard it a million times before.
Explore the campus
Yes, studying is without a doubt the most important part of being at university or college, but socialising and lifestyle is vital to take into account too.
Get a good feel for the campus; if you’re leaving home, visit the accommodation; go to the union and ask about clubs and social activities. This place could be where you spend the next four years of your life, so you have to be confident that it is somewhere you can see yourself enjoying.
Welcome to all those who are here for our Open Day! Take a walk around, speak to our students and staff, take in the wonderful scenery and enjoy the day. Check out our Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram pages for updates and don't forget to tag us @RobertGordonUni! #rgu pic.twitter.com/gdXW0yrAES
— Robert Gordon University (RGU) (@RobertGordonUni) October 6, 2018
Don’t
Don’t waste time
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement – this could be your new home for the next few years, who wouldn’t be excited? But it’s vital to stay on track and learn as much as possible.
Maybe your friend wants to skip a talk and grab a coffee in town before a campus tour, or you have half an hour to kill before a lecture, so head into town and before you know it you’ve missed three.
Of course, you want to get to know the city and the surroundings of the university too, but save it for after the open day.
We loved meeting and chatting to those who attended our Open Events today, helping them take the next step to their future career.
Further Open Events take place next week – register your place today! https://t.co/dwFqYzdGsJ #inFife @skillsdevscot pic.twitter.com/wyDAmwSYFq— Fife College (@fifecollege) September 29, 2018
Don’t worry
Going to university or college can be daunting, but it’s also a really exciting time in anyone’s life.
It’s the chance for a new beginning, and can very often be the start of pursuing your dreams. So don’t worry; as long as you work hard, you’ll be fine.
Start as you mean to go on, and make the effort to utilise all the resources available to you at the open days – you won’t regret it.
https://twitter.com/HeriotWattUni/status/1049609373809606656
To see all the Scottish university and college open days for the rest of the year, click here.
