Why visiting a university open day can change your mind about where to apply 

Summary

This blog guides students on why visiting a university open day can change their decision about where to apply. Melissa McNaught, a recent University of Brighton graduate, shares her experience and tips, including what to ask, what to look for, and how to make the most of the day. It highlights the benefits of university open days, what happens at them, and why seeing the campus and city in person can make a big difference in choosing the right university.

A guide for students reflecting on their university choices

My name is Melissa McNaught, a recent fine art painting graduate from the University of Brighton, and I’m originally from Chester. If you think you’ve already decided on your course or university and want to skip an open day, you could be making a big mistake! This blog will give you a quick run-through of why attending an open day really matters and why missing one might cost you the perfect university experience. If you’ve ever wondered is it worth going to a university open day, the answer is yes.

• Get a feel for campus life
• Learn what the prospectus doesn’t tell you
• Help you make or change your mind
• Feel more confident about your choice
• FAQS

An open day is when you go to a university you’re interested in, get to know more about it and see it in person. It’s far better at giving you an insight into what the university is like, more so than a prospectus would. You get to meet your potential lecturers and see the spaces you’d be taught in and spending your time, which can be beneficial to see, especially if you’re spending years there. I found it very useful as I was on the fence about where I wanted to go to university, but going to an open day really helped determine my decision.

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You get a real feel for campus life

My campus was Grand Parade, right in the centre of Brighton, and it was fantastic! It was only a five-minute walk to the beach and surrounded by shops, cafés and everything else you could need. The university even had its own café and food outlets on site, plus a student library just down the road. Everything was within walking distance, something I’d never have realised if I hadn’t gone to see it for myself.

This is one of the biggest benefits of university open days. You get to physically see where you’re going to be spending the next few years of your life, which is important if you want to make sure it’s right for you. A visit can change your impression or even your decision, it did for me! I was certain I was going to stay at home for university, but then I came to open days and realised how different they all are. For me the importance was the place and the city I would be staying, and I came to Brighton for the first time back in 2023 and I knew I had to study here. But I never would have known this if I hadn’t come to an open day.

Want a students perspective on life at The University of Brighton? Read what it’s really like to live and study in Brighton.

You’ll learn what prospectuses don’t tell you

So, what happens at university open days? You’ll explore the course you’re interested in, meet your future lecturers and get a proper sense of the university’s atmosphere. It’s a great opportunity to ask all the questions you’ve been thinking about and learn more about what studying there is really like. You can’t get that same insight from a prospectus or website. Being there in person gives you a much clearer picture.

Ask as many questions as you can, even the “silly” ones, explore the campus and take a look around the local area. Every university feels different, and seeing it for yourself helps you figure out where you’ll be happiest. These are just some of the reasons to attend a university open day, because what you experience in person is often very different from what you see online.

It can help you make (or change) your mind

University open days are important as they can completely change your decision about where you want to study. They did for me! The feeling of the city and university is something you cannot get on the internet or in a prospectus. Going in person to see makes the world of difference. It can change your impression or your thinking about where you want to study.

Getting the opportunity to speak to current students helped the most with my decision as they had so much information and guidance since they are living it right now. Don’t be afraid to speak to them. They’ve been in your position and are so useful for asking any of your questions or worries.

You’ll be more confident in your choice

To make the most of your open day, you should reflect on and compare all the different university open days you visit. I found open days useful to reassure me of my options and the decisions I was going to make. After all my open day visits, I made a pros and cons list, weighing up what’s more important to me than other things. For example, do you want a campus or a city university? Does it need to have good nightlife and socials? This is a real time to reflect on what you’re looking for and think about all the information you’ve taken in.

If there’s anything you’re still unsure about, now’s the time to also contact the university again to clarify anything you forgot to ask or just thought about after your visit. It’s never too late.

My advice to future students

My advice for future students is to go to an open day. Go to all the universities you’re interested in as it will make your decision so much easier, or at the very least, help you narrow your list down. There’s nothing that beats seeing in person where you’re going to be living and studying. It’s not going to be like what you see online because you don’t get the feel or the atmosphere, which is important. So even if you think that you’ve made up your mind, it might still surprise you. Open days are important for so many reasons, and they can really help you see what life would be like at that university.

Visiting a university open day is so important to get the feel of the university as well as asking all the questions you’ve got to ask. The staff and students are there to help you with your decision and give you the missing pieces to make that choice. Talking to your lecturer or a student can change your mind about a university that wasn’t in your top five. It can be surprising what going in person and seeing with your own eyes can do when it comes to making your decision. If you’re thinking about attending an open day now, and want more information, you can read my other blog on how to make the most of a university open day. Good luck!

Visit our website to find out more about attending Open Days at the University of Brighton.