How to Make the Most of a University Open Day

As much as researching online can give you a picture of what it's like to study here, Open Days are the best way to feel Birmingham’s atmosphere and picture what life could look like if you choose the University of Birmingham. Open Days can be quite overwhelming though, so these are some of my top tips for making the most of your day.

Firstly, make sure to create your own Open Day itinerary before arriving in Birmingham. I’ll talk about all of the different activity options later, but there’s so much to fit in in such a short amount of time, so I would definitely recommend utilising the itinerary feature to ensure your day goes as smoothly as possible, and that you get to see everything you want to.

Secondly, take advantage of all of the talks that go on. Specifically for psychology, there’s talks outlining the course, drop-in sessions with current students and lecturers, as well as short taster lectures that really immerse you in the student experience and showcase the passions of our brilliant lecturers. The talks that the university put on aren’t only subject-specific in nature; there’s sessions about student finance, accommodation, student life, financial aid and so much more. These are always extremely informative, and staff are always happy to answer any questions you may have after the sessions.

Thirdly, explore our campus! One of the reasons I chose to study at the University of Birmingham was because of our gorgeous, green campus. The University almost feels as if it’s its own little community, with small supermarkets, a gym, food outlets, coffee shops- we even have our own post office and hairdressers in university centre! Of course, you are more than welcome to explore campus at your own pace, but our student ambassadors put on amazing campus tours that highlight all of the important areas, as well as hidden gems you might miss.

Number four: if you’re planning on staying in university halls, make sure you look in advance at our accommodation options and make a list of your favourite ones that you’d like to see. We have so many options that it would be impossible to see them all in one day! From Pritchatts Park, to Selly Oak, to The Vale, each community offers something different, with a perfect option that will suit all of your needs.

Next, if you’re new to Birmingham, Open Days are the perfect time to explore the city and surrounding areas. Our city is filled with history and I’m proud to call it home; from the largest Primark in Europe, to Ozzy the 10-metre-tall mechanical bull, we have it all! The University of Birmingham is also the only university in the Great Britain to have our own train station, and Birmingham New Street is only a 7-minute journey away. If you have time, I would recommend exploring our fantastic city.

Finally, speak to current students! Ask them about their experiences, what advice they would give to freshers and why they chose to study at UoB. Hearing first-hand stories definitely put my mind at ease when deciding to move away from home. I ended up falling in love with the University of Birmingham when I visited, and I hope that you will feel the same!