5 reasons to attend a university Open Day

This article was written by Fashion Marketing BA(Hons) student, Alice.

Deciding on what to do after college can feel overwhelming. With so many options, how are you supposed to choose just one? You might be asking yourself: Should I take a gap year or go straight to uni? Do I even want to go to university? What if I pick the wrong course?

That’s exactly where university Open Days come in. 

I remember being terrified of making the “wrong choice”. Scrolling endlessly through UCAS could only tell me so much about each course. So, I decided to attend several Open Days across the country. After all, this was where I’d spend the next three years, so it had to feel right. 

Here are my five reasons why you should attend an Open Day.

1. Meet future lecturers and learn more about the course  

The best way to really understand a course is by speaking directly to lecturers. At an Open Day, you can ask them specific questions about the structure of the course and get an idea of their teaching style and see if this is compatible with your way of learning.  

I asked everything from “What are the contact hours?” to “What do live project briefs actually mean?” This allowed me to properly understand the course and make an informed decision. I learnt more about the individual modules on the course and realised that smaller class sizes would be ideal for me, as I was quite quiet and liked the idea of being able to ask for advice and feedback easily.

2. Explore the campus and surrounding area

If you’re going to spend three years (and a lot of money) somewhere, you need to actually like the location!  

Before visiting Falmouth, I did a YouTube deep dive into the area (shout out to Hannahrose’s vlogs). During the 6-hour drive to the Open Day, I wondered if it would be like she described. And it was! I loved how welcoming and secure I felt in Falmouth, surrounded by the beautiful scenery, and also because it gives a small town energy, I really resonated, as I lived in a village, so I knew I wouldn’t feel too out of place, as I loved the area so much.

3. Chat to current students  

One of the most valuable parts of an Open Day is being able to speak to actual students. You can ask them things like: 

• Why did you choose this course? 
• What’s the nightlife like? 
• Are the societies active? 
• Did you come straight to uni, or take a gap year first? 

Hearing honest, unfiltered opinions from people already studying there can give you real clarity about whether it’s the right choice for you.

4. Look at the facilities and support available

When you’re paying to study, you want access to the best facilities and support possible. Seeing them in person makes a huge difference. 

At Falmouth, I was really impressed by everything on offer: screen printing studios, weaving looms, WGSN access, Clo software, and weekly workshops where you can learn new skills. I also discovered the Academic Skills team, who support students with academic writing and transitioning from A-levels to university work - something I knew would be really helpful.