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It’s a smart idea to have a plan when it comes to attending postgraduate open days so that you’re able to get the most out of them. It can be tempting to try and improvise when going to an open day, particularly if you remember how they went when you were applying for undergraduate degrees. However, it’s worthwhile putting a plan together beforehand, as it will ensure that you see everything you want to, ask all the questions you need answering, and ultimately help you decide whether the university is where you would like to study for your postgraduate qualification. Read on to see our top planning tips for taking part in postgraduate open days...
This might seem painfully obvious, but knowing where you’re going before you walk out your door is a good way to start your day. Keep a note of the university’s address on your phone or have it pre-entered into a maps app in case you find yourself without signal or wi-fi. If you’re taking public transport, get those tickets booked in advance, or if you’re driving, have your route planned ahead of time. This will help make sure you’re not late, with the added benefit of keeping you calm on your way there.
We would say that knowing where to go when you get to the university is also particularly important. You’ll likely be told where to go when you book your place on the open day, but it’s always wise to double check if you’re supposed to report to reception, a meeting hall, a lecture theatre or somewhere else before the day starts properly.
Go to: Read more about Postgraduate Open Day FAQs
You don’t want to be carrying loads of stuff with you across a university campus all day, but a few choice items will be rather useful indeed. At the very least, we recommend bringing a notebook and a pen (or a tablet, if you prefer) for jotting down answers to the questions you prepared, phone numbers, email addresses and more. A bottle of water, sunglasses, hand sanitiser and a portable phone charger are also good to have with you just in case. Pack a small bag the evening before you go to an open day to help you get the most out of it with ease.
Going into an open day knowing what you want to find out is a great way to get the most out of your time at the university. The faculty and current students helping on the open day will be glad to answer your questions, so have a few prepared in advance. Make a list of important topics, like your course, accommodation, student services or funding, write down anything you’d like to know about them and ask them when you get a chance. There should be plenty of opportunities to find out more about the university throughout the day.
Go to: Read more about What to Ask on a Postgraduate Open Day
Some universities will send you an itinerary prior to the open day, which is handy for figuring out what you’ll be scheduled to see and do during your visit. Conversely, this will also let you know if there is something you want to learn about but isn’t on the schedule, so you can prepare to ask a question or two about it. Many universities will plan tours and talks for opens days as well, so having an idea of when these are taking place will let you plan your day effectively.
The itinerary will also likely show you how much time you will spend at the university, meaning you may have time to explore the surrounding area, which brings us on to the final tip...
If you have the time and opportunity to check out the city or town that the university is in on an open day, we’d say that you should absolutely go for it. Have a wander about and see what amenities are available close to the university or the accommodation halls, as you would likely be frequenting these quite a bit should you choose to study there. Pop into a café or a pub and have a look at how busy the area gets and what the atmosphere is like. You’ll be spending a lot of time at the university, but it’s definitely worth getting a feel for the neighborhood too.
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