University Uncovered: An Open Day Guide
There are various aspects of university to consider and whilst it’s great that UCAS provide such a wealth of knowledge on their website, it’s hard to know where to start.
So, here’s a guide to getting the most out of your Open Days.
1. Course
It’s no secret in the big wide world that money doesn't buy happiness. So make sure your course is the right course for you. My Mum always says, the books you've bought because they were interesting to you say more about your true passion than your grades do. Your subject doesn't have to be Ancient History or Medieval Literature to get yourself into Cambridge or Oxford, so don’t just go for the subject that sounds most impressive, or the one that you get the best grades in – go for the subject you like the most.
I would suggest taking the time to think about what it is you like best about the subject and ensure it is included in your course by reviewing the course modules of the university website or asking about it at the subject talk.
For me, I know I’d like to study English but I don’t want to spend three years doing nothing but analysing the work of other writers – I want to do some of my own writing too. So, I know I’m looking for a flexible English course, with creative writing modules. Work around your subject like this, pick out the parts of the subject you love the most.
Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t like all of your subject – just because I want to study English, doesn't mean I adored every book I ever read (For instance, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ to me was AWFUL). It means that the craft of writing is naturally interesting to me and I like studying it in the books I've read. (This is also exactly what universities want to see in your Personal Statement – reasons why you love your subject, what first sparked your interests?)
2. Location
Where in the World (or just the UK) would you like to be? Take some of your time out of your Open Day to explore the area; consider how far it is from home, quality of the nightlife (if you’re bothered about nightlife), facilities, features and reputation. Public transport for getting around is key and your overall impression of the place counts. Make sure you like it there because most of the time, in 2nd year and 3rd year, you’ll be moving off campus and into the surrounding area.
It’s no secret in the big wide world that money doesn't buy happiness. So make sure your course is the right course for you. My Mum always says, the books you've bought because they were interesting to you say more about your true passion than your grades do. Your subject doesn't have to be Ancient History or Medieval Literature to get yourself into Cambridge or Oxford, so don’t just go for the subject that sounds most impressive, or the one that you get the best grades in – go for the subject you like the most.
I would suggest taking the time to think about what it is you like best about the subject and ensure it is included in your course by reviewing the course modules of the university website or asking about it at the subject talk.
For me, I know I’d like to study English but I don’t want to spend three years doing nothing but analysing the work of other writers – I want to do some of my own writing too. So, I know I’m looking for a flexible English course, with creative writing modules. Work around your subject like this, pick out the parts of the subject you love the most.
Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t like all of your subject – just because I want to study English, doesn't mean I adored every book I ever read (For instance, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ to me was AWFUL). It means that the craft of writing is naturally interesting to me and I like studying it in the books I've read. (This is also exactly what universities want to see in your Personal Statement – reasons why you love your subject, what first sparked your interests?)
2. Location
Where in the World (or just the UK) would you like to be? Take some of your time out of your Open Day to explore the area; consider how far it is from home, quality of the nightlife (if you’re bothered about nightlife), facilities, features and reputation. Public transport for getting around is key and your overall impression of the place counts. Make sure you like it there because most of the time, in 2nd year and 3rd year, you’ll be moving off campus and into the surrounding area.
3. Campus
The crucial question is, would you actually like to live there? That’s really what it all boils down to so think about whether you’re a fan of rolling hills and calm rivers or tall glass buildings and compare this to the Campus.
4. Facilities & Societies
As I've said, I’m all for English – so when I’m at an UOD, I keep my eyes peeled for shockingly well-stocked libraries and writing-related societies to join. Are there good sport facilities? Student-run radio stations? Science labs with impressively-scary unknown technology?
5. Accommodation
You’re not going to University on holiday, you’re going to be living there for a year or more.
Put simply, you’ll need to consider;
Standard rooms are just that –standard, with a bed, desk, shelves, storage space and usually a washbasin. You’ll share a bathroom with the other people in your halls (usually about 6 people depending on the University)
En suite rooms have everything that comes with the standard, plus the additional private bathroom – for an extra cost.
Studios are the complete package; bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette in one. This is likely to be the most expensive option but could also jeopardise your socialising time, as when you’ve got everything you need in one place, you’ll probably not see the light of day for a long, long time and people may just start to forget you exist….
When you visit on your Open Day, take a moment to chew on the different accommodation halls on offer– how far they are from the main campus, whether the rooms on offer suit your needs, and though it may just look like an empty room, whether you can truly see yourself there – sitting at the desk, making a cup of tea from the student-kettle and matching mug set you oh-so-excitedly bought from Argos.
Ah, then the question: to cater or not to cater? It’s difficult to weigh up the pros and cons of two different food-lifestyles. If you’re a foodie like me, (polite term meaning ‘one who likes to consume all things edible’) then you’ll probably want to cook your own stuff. I like a shocking amount of pepper on just about everything and with self-catered, I can satisfy that weird need. So, ask yourself, can you cook?
Whilst cheaper short-term than catered; self-catered offers you the chance to shop regularly and provide your own food – as you like it, when you want it. It also allows you to socialise with your accommodation-buddies, as the kitchen shared by the others in your flat-like accommodation will become the hub of nattering and gossip with people who may just become your chosen few to share a flat/house with in 2nd year.
However, bear in mind the time needed to shop and cook – it could be a lot of unnecessary effort.
On the other hand, catered, whilst more costly short-term, can be more convenient – food hot and ready to eat after a long day’s slog with a crowd of fellow students to mingle with.
Make sure to take a look at both options when you’re there, just to size up the quality of the shared kitchen in self-catered or the quality of the dining hall in catered. Of course, some Universities only provide ONE form – e.g. all accommodation at UEA is self-catered. In which case, it’s one less decision for you to make.
Naturally, remember the cost differences for various combinations of accommodation– you could be eligible for grants or bursaries (check university websites for this) but otherwise think about what you can really afford.
At some places, with self-catered the number of weeks let is longer and so you could end up paying for your room in the Easter holidays when you might be at home; whereas catered requires you to ‘pack up and get out’ of your room in these holiday periods and so is cheaper. (Again, this isn’t the case for all universities so check on each website for specific details)
6. Reputation
Let me just say, reputation is NOT the be all and end all of your university experience. You could go somewhere that’s bottom of the Guardian University League table and have the best three years of your life. So don’t aim for Oxbridge just for the reputation. Wherever you apply, it should be because you want to be there.
If you are aiming high though, the Russell Group might be a good place to start – it comprises a list of UK Universities highlighted for their excellence (Google it); whilst The Complete University Guide website offers both general and subject-specific rankings and allows you to compare Universities based on different factors. Don’t use it religiously, but it could give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for and what your choice of university might say about you later on.
The crucial question is, would you actually like to live there? That’s really what it all boils down to so think about whether you’re a fan of rolling hills and calm rivers or tall glass buildings and compare this to the Campus.
4. Facilities & Societies
As I've said, I’m all for English – so when I’m at an UOD, I keep my eyes peeled for shockingly well-stocked libraries and writing-related societies to join. Are there good sport facilities? Student-run radio stations? Science labs with impressively-scary unknown technology?
5. Accommodation
You’re not going to University on holiday, you’re going to be living there for a year or more.
Put simply, you’ll need to consider;
- Type of Room – Standard, En Suite, Studio
- Type of Catering – self-catered/catered
- Prices of the rooms
- Number of weeks let (whether you’ll have to clear out at the end of each term)
Standard rooms are just that –standard, with a bed, desk, shelves, storage space and usually a washbasin. You’ll share a bathroom with the other people in your halls (usually about 6 people depending on the University)
En suite rooms have everything that comes with the standard, plus the additional private bathroom – for an extra cost.
Studios are the complete package; bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette in one. This is likely to be the most expensive option but could also jeopardise your socialising time, as when you’ve got everything you need in one place, you’ll probably not see the light of day for a long, long time and people may just start to forget you exist….
When you visit on your Open Day, take a moment to chew on the different accommodation halls on offer– how far they are from the main campus, whether the rooms on offer suit your needs, and though it may just look like an empty room, whether you can truly see yourself there – sitting at the desk, making a cup of tea from the student-kettle and matching mug set you oh-so-excitedly bought from Argos.
Ah, then the question: to cater or not to cater? It’s difficult to weigh up the pros and cons of two different food-lifestyles. If you’re a foodie like me, (polite term meaning ‘one who likes to consume all things edible’) then you’ll probably want to cook your own stuff. I like a shocking amount of pepper on just about everything and with self-catered, I can satisfy that weird need. So, ask yourself, can you cook?
Whilst cheaper short-term than catered; self-catered offers you the chance to shop regularly and provide your own food – as you like it, when you want it. It also allows you to socialise with your accommodation-buddies, as the kitchen shared by the others in your flat-like accommodation will become the hub of nattering and gossip with people who may just become your chosen few to share a flat/house with in 2nd year.
However, bear in mind the time needed to shop and cook – it could be a lot of unnecessary effort.
On the other hand, catered, whilst more costly short-term, can be more convenient – food hot and ready to eat after a long day’s slog with a crowd of fellow students to mingle with.
Make sure to take a look at both options when you’re there, just to size up the quality of the shared kitchen in self-catered or the quality of the dining hall in catered. Of course, some Universities only provide ONE form – e.g. all accommodation at UEA is self-catered. In which case, it’s one less decision for you to make.
Naturally, remember the cost differences for various combinations of accommodation– you could be eligible for grants or bursaries (check university websites for this) but otherwise think about what you can really afford.
At some places, with self-catered the number of weeks let is longer and so you could end up paying for your room in the Easter holidays when you might be at home; whereas catered requires you to ‘pack up and get out’ of your room in these holiday periods and so is cheaper. (Again, this isn’t the case for all universities so check on each website for specific details)
6. Reputation
Let me just say, reputation is NOT the be all and end all of your university experience. You could go somewhere that’s bottom of the Guardian University League table and have the best three years of your life. So don’t aim for Oxbridge just for the reputation. Wherever you apply, it should be because you want to be there.
If you are aiming high though, the Russell Group might be a good place to start – it comprises a list of UK Universities highlighted for their excellence (Google it); whilst The Complete University Guide website offers both general and subject-specific rankings and allows you to compare Universities based on different factors. Don’t use it religiously, but it could give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for and what your choice of university might say about you later on.
Ready for your Open Day?
Check out our Top Tips for Open Day Success Article by Zenia Patel - Year 13 |