Why You Should Attend a University Open Day

Choosing which university to go to is a huge decision, and while it’s easy to spend hours scrolling through websites, reading prospectuses, and watching videos, nothing can quite compare to experiencing it in person. An Open Day gives you the chance to step into university life for a day and truly see what it might be like to study there. It’s an opportunity to explore, ask questions, and get a sense of whether this is somewhere you can imagine yourself living and learning for the next few years.

When I was making my own decision, it was visiting the campus that completely changed my perspective. Before that, I’d been torn between a few different universities. Everything I’d read online was helpful, but it was hard to get a tangible feel for what the atmosphere was like. Walking around the campus, seeing students going about their day, and visiting the facilities in person gave me a much clearer sense of what life there would actually be like and by the end of the visit, I knew the University of Birmingham was where I wanted to be.

One of the best things about Open Days is the chance to explore the campus and see the spaces you’ll be using every day. You can tour lecture theatres, seminar rooms, libraries, and study areas, as well as any specialist facilities like labs or studios that your course might involve. It’s exciting to be able to picture yourself sitting in a lecture hall or meeting friends in a study space, and it helps you start imagining what your future as a student could look like. Most Open Days also give you the chance to visit accommodation. This is especially valuable because it allows you to see what your first-year home might be like and work out what kind of living arrangement would suit you best, whether that’s a lively flat, a quieter house, or something in between.

The atmosphere on an Open Day is unlike anything else. The campus is bustling with activity, with current students giving tours, staff members on hand to answer questions, and lots of prospective students walking around just like you. This lively environment gives you a taste of what the university feels like during term time, making it much easier to imagine yourself as part of the community.

Open Days also give you the chance to meet the people who make up the university. Speaking to lecturers is a fantastic opportunity to get a sense of their teaching style and whether it matches the way you like to learn. You can ask about specific modules, how courses are assessed, and what kind of support is available. You’ll also have the chance to meet staff members from other areas of the university, such as student wellbeing, careers services, and accommodation support. I was struck by how kind and encouraging everyone was on my Open Day, and it was clear that they genuinely cared about creating a welcoming and supportive environment.

Arguably, one of the most important opportunities at an Open Day is that you’ll get to talk to current students. These conversations are incredibly valuable because they give you insights into what life is really like, beyond what you see on websites or in brochures. Students can share their personal experiences of everything from balancing their workload to the best places to eat on campus, or even which societies they’ve loved joining. It’s a chance to ask the little questions you might not feel comfortable emailing about, and the one-to-one conversations can help you imagine what your own experience might be like.

Visiting an Open Day isn’t just about the university itself, as it’s also about the area you’ll be living in. Taking some time to explore the surrounding city or town can be just as important as seeing the campus. This is where you’ll be spending your weekends, doing your food shopping, and finding possible hidden gems, so it’s important to see if you can imagine yourself living there. Whether you wander around the local shops, grab a bite to eat, or simply soak up the atmosphere, exploring the wider area helps you get a sense of what your day-to-day life might look like; envisioning and romanticising your life as a university student is one of the most unique and fulfilling experiences when you are on the hunt for the institution for you.

When you visit, keep an open mind and ask as many questions as you can. Listen to your instincts and think about whether you can genuinely see yourself living and studying there. It’s a big decision, but walking around the campus and talking to the people who make up its community can often make things click into place. Who knows, you might just walk away knowing exactly where you belong, just as I did.