How to make the best of university taster days
OPEN days are a chance for students and their families to look around university and college campuses.
It’s a golden opportunity for people to get a taste of what the course will involve and whether the institution is really for them.
Carys Roberts, head of student recruitment at Bangor University, Gwynedd, North Wales, says students must prepare ahead of time to make sure they get the most out of their visit on the day. She suggests young people:
PlaN, plan, plan! Study the programme before arriving at the Open Day to make sure you know when and where things are happening.
aRRIvE in plenty of time. Open Days can be busy with thousands of visitors, so you need to arrive early and with a good idea of what you want to see and do.
aS WEll as attending subject presentations, make sure you visit the halls of residence, the library, see some of the lecture theatres and other facilities, and generally have a good look around the campus.
GO alONG with a parent or a friend. It means you’ve got company throughout the day as well as having someone to compare notes with.
If yOU’RE unclear about student finance — how much it all costs, what grants or student loans are available — then make sure you attend a Student finance presentation during the Open Day.
Ms Roberts says: ‘ Many universities will want you to book your place on the Open Day in advance, so it’s important to check out the university website at least a couple of weeks beforehand.
‘Think about questions you want to ask before you arrive. Once you’re at the Open Day, it’s worth taking pictures on your phone to help you remember things later. you want to get the most out of your visit, so if you have a burning question about entry requirements or job prospects, then this is your chance to ask it.
‘ Students are the best people to give you an insight into student life there as well — and if you’re interested in a particular sport or want to carry on playing in an orchestra, then make sure you find out more about the student union’s clubs and societies.
‘last but not least, never cut your visit short — make sure that you see everything that you can fit in.’
for more information about Open Days at Bangor University, log onto