Open Day Top Tips: How to Get the Most From a Prospective College Visit

Open days are a great way to find out more about a prospective college. Our top tips will help you get the most out of your visit.

Spring is typically a busy season when it comes to open days, so now is a great time to start planning!

Decide where you want to go

The process of deciding where to go after completing your GCSEs can seem daunting. There are so many options; A Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, technical courses – the list goes on! 

The first step is to think carefully about which types of courses appeal to you most. Do you prefer hands-on learning to traditional academic pathways or would an apprenticeship suit you better? Once you’ve got your shortlist, find out when each college is having their open days. Make sure that you register early for the open days you want to attend and book your place.

Plan ahead to make the most of your open day

Plan your journey to the college you’ve visiting before you set off. Check your route and find out ahead about bus routes, train timetables or the nearest tube stops. If you’re driving, find out about parking restrictions. 

Ask lots of questions at the open day

An open day is the perfect time to ask all of your questions. There will be teachers and administrators on site to answer them, so make a list! Current students are a great resource for the all-important social side of things. 

If you’re going somewhere to study, it’s also important that you feel part of the college community. Think about what your wants and needs are:

• Do you have any accessibility requirements? 
• Would you like to know more about certain clubs and societies? 
• Use the people available at the open day to get answers to all of your questions – it will really help you find out if it’s a good fit for you.

Pack your essentials

You’ll most likely be on your feet for at least an hour, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. 

Essential things to take:

• A notepad and pen – Always useful for taking notes as an alternative to your phone!
• A spare bag – You’ll need somewhere to stash any flyers or prospectuses you may be given.
• A second pair of eyes and ears – it can be useful to take along a friend or family member for a second opinion. They may think of things to ask and notice details that you might miss. They’ll also be able to offer a different perspective on things.

Get involved on the day

If you’re outgoing and able to get there and go for it, that’s great. If you’re a shyer sort, attending pre-arranged activities are a great way to get involved. Challenge yourself to talk to as many people as you can. You’re all there for the same reason so asking where someone is from and what they’re looking to study is a great conversation starter.

If you’re interested in coming to see one of our colleges, we have a range of open days taking place this term. Come and see the excellent range of courses we have on offer. You can register your interest and book your place here!

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