Open Day season is upon us!
If you’re thinking about going to a uni, Open Days are one of the best (and most fun) ways to get a sense of what it’s really like.
A big benefit of Open Days is being able to talk to as many current uni students and staff as you can. But what are you supposed to say?
If you’re mind’s going blank, we’ve got you covered. Here are five ways to start a conversation on Open Day.
1. I like [X]. How can I study/do that here?
Got a really clear idea of the job you want? Got no idea at all, except that you like a particular subject or hobby? Somewhere in between? All of that is fine!
Tell staff about your interest (we call it your X), and they’ll be able to tell you how it relates to degrees at the uni. From there, there will be plenty of different degrees to discuss!
(It can be handy to single out things you don’t like doing, too, or are apprehensive about – you can weed out degrees that seem wrong, or have your concerns addressed.)
2. If I took this degree, what would my day-to-day life look like?
The best way to get all the details on your future life as a uni student is to hear directly from the people studying and teaching the courses. They can tell you:
- How much of the degree is online vs in-person
- How many hours a week you’d be spending in classes
- Whether you’d be doing practicals in labs, group projects, or travelling for field work
- If there are work placements incorporated into the degree
This question can also help you figure out how flexible a degree is, so you can balance study with the rest of your life!
3. What do students who study this degree end up doing?
Not sure what sort of career a degree could lead to, or how competitive the field is? This is a great question for figuring it out. You will probably be surprised by the range of things students end up doing!
You can also ask about work experience or industry placements. Lots of universities have opportunities to build work experience for course credit.
4. What subjects should I take in school (and what do I do if I haven’t studied them)?
Sometimes it’s absolutely compulsory to have studied a certain subject before starting a degree, sometimes it’s just nice to have, and sometimes you can get a secret edge by studying a subject you may not have thought relevant. Uni staff can get you the best intel on what subjects will help you succeed.
But don’t be shy if you don’t think you’ve studied the right subjects. There’s usually plenty of ways to get into the degree you want, even if you haven’t got the prerequisites (or an ATAR at all). Each university has programs like bridging or pathway courses, extra tutoring, and peer support. Staff will be able to help match your situation to your options.
5. Tell me about all the other things that happen on campus, beyond study!
This is a particularly good thing to ask a current student: they can give you the lowdown on all the student clubs, events, and societies you can get involved in (and the best coffee shops).
This is also a good question if you want to hear about on-campus services you can access at university. Unis offer everything from professional mentoring to healthcare clinics, and these things can all come in handy – if you know they exist!
