How to make the most of your Open Day: A step by step guide
Bradford Life

Your first Open Day is coming up, but you don’t have a clue how to go about it? You have come to the right place! Having worked behind the scenes as a student ambassador during those days, I thought a step-by-step guide full of insider tips is just the thing to help you make the most of your Open Day.

1. Save the date

First things first – get yourself signed up. It’s really easy! Our Open Days are advertised across our socials, as well as the website where you can book your place. 

2. Browse the programme

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Have a look at the events listed on the website, and make yourself a schedule of the tours and talks you find most interesting or which you think will be most useful to you. Don’t overdo it, plan for breaks and also some extra time to visit our stalls. If you’re unsure what to choose, you could get some input from your friends and family. Or you could even bring them along and make it a fun day out!

Pro tip: I recommend choosing at least one subject talk and one subject tour – it does not have to be the same one! This is especially useful if you are still deciding which one you want to study. The talks are designed to give you an insight into the different programme options you may have within a subject. On the bespoke tours with an academic, you will be introduced to the facilities you could be using throughout your studies.

Further, I would recommend a library tour. As a student, you will be spending a lot of time doing research there, and it is always good to know which resources you will have access to beforehand.

3. Be a slightly early bird

On the actual Open Day, give yourself plenty of time to arrive for your planned activities. Although it is a small campus, you may need a moment to orientate yourself. But don’t worry – plenty of staff and student ambassadors will be there, happy to help you around during the day.

If this makes you slightly early, why not come and have a chat with student ambassadors and academics on the subject stalls? It is a good opportunity to get inside information on our offered courses or ask any burning questions you may have.

Pro tip: If you are struggling with finding questions to ask ambassadors and academics, here are some that might give you even more insight into your subject of interest:

• What is it that you are doing exactly in your current modules?
• How are your practicals structured? 
• How will this degree prepare me for the job market?

4. Take notes

You will get plenty of information throughout the day – some of it on handy leaflets and some of it verbally. So go old school and take notes, especially during your chosen talks. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at the end of a talk if you feel like you need more information. Remember, this is what the Open Day is all about!

5. Check out the stalls

Apart from subject stalls, there will be many stalls around concerning student life. While a general introduction to topics such as Student Finance will be given in some of the talks you may have chosen, the stalls offer much more personal advice.

Pro tip: I recommend visiting Money & Pastoral Advice. Money might not be an issue to start with, but with the current crisis, it can become one sooner rather than later. Therefore, it cannot hurt to know your options.

Additionally, if you want to live on campus or nearby, may I recommend checking out our student housing organisations. The Green is our student accommodation on campus. Unipol is a charity helping you to get in contact with trustworthy landlords if you prefer renting privately.

6. Want to know more about Bradford?

So you toured the facilities, chatted with ambassadors and academics, attended a talk and got some info regarding student life. What a successful day!

If a subject has already taken your fancy, and you want to experience first-hand how it is taught at the University of Bradford, come along to our Applicant Experience Days.