The prospect of heading off to university is incredibly exciting. But trying to choose the perfect uni can be a little bit tricky. After all, there are loads of options out there — and the right fit for you might not necessarily be the right fit for everyone else.

That’s why it’s important to ‘try it before you buy it’ by attending a university open day.

Going to an open day is your golden opportunity to find out about all aspects of university life. You can learn about courses, explore student accommodation for yourself, check out the clubs you’ll be able to join, tour the facilities, and ask real students all the burning questions you’ve been storing up.

And while open days can be a fun day out,  you should also prepare yourself to ensure you’re making the most of your time on campus.

Don’t worry, because we’ve got some pro tips that are going to help you prep and enjoy your open day visits as much as possible.

Before you attend open day

First thing’s first: let’s talk open day logistics.

1. Make sure you booked your place in advance. Most colleges and universities have a cap on the number of open day tickets they’re giving out, so secure your space early to avoid missing out.
2. Find out where the university is and how to get there. It may seem obvious, but travelling to the university is something you shouldn’t have to worry about on the day. Check train times, parking options and how long it will take to get there.
3. Plan ahead. Get a feel for the layout of the campus, check out courses you’re interested in online, get a rough plan for the day and book anything you need to in advance, and write down all the questions you want to ask on the day.
4. Take note of access requirements. The open days you attend should be inclusive and cater to your needs. For example, the University of Stirling’s upcoming open days include a quiet hour with reduced noise from 2pm to 3pm. Quiet spaces can also be found in the Loch View Wellbeing Suite, The Chaplaincy and the Wellbeing Room.

During the event

This is it: you’ve booked your place, planned your route, and know what you want to see and do. Now it’s time to execute the plan.

1. Make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes. You’re going to be on your feet a lot of the day (and if you’re visiting the University of Stirling, our stunning campus is a whopping 330 acres)
2. Bring snacks. There will be a lot to see, so you’ve got to keep your energy levels up. That being said, if you join us for an open day here at Stirling, you’ll have a wide range of cafes and restaurants to choose from throughout the day.
3. Get there early. Events like this can get quite busy, so by getting there early you can park and check in before the crowds.
4. Speak to people and take notes. This is vital, as there will be students and lecturers from the course(s) you’re interested in. Ask all the questions you may have about the course content and the student life. From the course structure and study abroad options, to where to get the best fish and chips – there are no silly questions. There will be a lot of information coming your way, so taking some notes and pictures will help you remember the important bits.
5. Get involved in accommodation and campus tours. This could be your new home for the next three or four years, so it’s important to get an idea of where you’re going and what accommodation options there are.

After open day is finished

Once you’ve seen everything you wanted to see, it’s time to head home for a well-deserved rest. But we’ve got a couple of homework tasks for you after you’ve had a breather:

1. Go through all the information you gathered during your open day visit. Make a list of things you like and things you’re not sure of. This will help you weigh the pros and cons of choosing one uni over another.
2. Chat with friends and family. Talk to the people you’re close to, and tell them what you thought about your visit. If they came to open day with you, ask them for their honest opinions, too.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions. If while reviewing your notes you suddenly think of an important question you forgot to ask or you need more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch! Here at Stirling, we’re always happy to help and will do everything we can to support you.

Ready for your next open day?

OK: Now that you know how to navigate open days like a pro, it’s time to put your new skills to good use.

The University of Stirling has multiple Undergraduate Open Days coming up in 2024. We’d love to welcome you onto our beautiful campus here in the heart of Scotland, and we’ve still got plenty of spaces available.

Visit our website now to secure your place at an open day.

Can’t make it to visit us in-person? Don’t worry. We’ve also got some interactive webinars you can access, a virtual tour and a range of other visiting options to choose from.