Open Days

Attending open days is a crucial part in choosing your university. Open days are days where the university opens its doors to prospective students, so they can look into their desired department, the available facilities, accommodation and more.

Open days help the prospective student research the universities to see if the choice is right for them. Many students have their heart set on a university based on the information given on the website, but when they visit the university decide it's not the right one for them. It is a chance to judge for yourself what the university is like rather than relying on hearsay. Additionally, it is a chance to not only look at the university but also the town/city you will be spending three years of your life in.

When I was choosing universities, I attended all of the open days I could. I would sometimes visit the university two or three times before making a serious decision. It was quite scary walking around the buildings trying to think "Can I really see myself being here? Studying here? Living here? Having the time of my life here?" For me, the choice was an easy one. The University of Bedfordshire offered me everything I needed, good facilities, societies and sports, up to date equipment, supportive tutors, good students union, a nearby train station and more.

There are some things you should think about when attending open days:

Look at the accommodation. This is where you will be spending most of your time. Question whether you feel the accommodation is in a liveable area. Is the price of the accommodation something that you can afford? Will you need to compromise in some areas? (e.g. en-suite bedrooms or double bed bedrooms are more expensive than single non en-suite bedrooms. Is it really important you have an en-suite?).

Luton Town Centre

Explore the town/city. Whilst you're attending the open day visit the town/city and decide whether you feel it has enough things to keep you happy/entertained over the next three years. Where are the nearest grocery shops? What is there to do on the weekends? Are there enough places to get a part-time job?

Ask as many questions as you can. At the open day event there will no doubt be questions running through your mind. Ask them. It doesn't matter what the question is, or whether you ask them to a member of staff or a student. They will answer the best they can. A good area to ask question is at the university's Student Information Desk, they will either answer the question or point you in the direction of those who can,

Visit the facilities. Visit as many facilities as you can, the available computer rooms, study areas, library, your department, cafeteria and more. These will be the things you will use over the next three years. Make sure they suit your needs.