The University Files | Open Days Checklist

 

Hey my lovelies, today marks the start of a new and exciting series on the blog called the 'University Files'! Here I will be creating all sorts of University content, from Top Tips to University Lookbooks, and maybe answering your University related questions. Whether you are an aspiring student looking at applying, a current student, a postgraduate looking for tips, or a mature student returning to education, I'm here to create an 'all-you-need-to-know' guide for University.

As you will know if you have read my previous posts, I'm a recent English literature and history graduate from the University of Worcester, where I secured a 1st Class Ba (Hons) degree. My degree was three years long and during that time I lived in Worcester, both on and off campus. It was by far the best three years of my life, and I'm hoping to share some of the knowledge and experiences I gained with you guys. 

As we enter the latter part of 2020, Universities have just returned and Sixth Form/College students are starting to look into and apply to University. Therefore, I thought the perfect place to start would be a 'University Open Days Checklist'! Now I know most Universities are doing virtual open days this year due to the current circumstances, but even so I hope these tips will be useful for prospective students, whether you are looking to do an Undergraduate degree, Postgraduate study or a PGCE/other qualification. I've asked a lot of my University friends and have created a list of 5 top-tips, and you can download the full checklist for your own personal use HERE.

1. Research into your course - is the course that this University offers suitable to you and check all of your boxes. For example, do they offer modules that you will find interesting, what modes of assessment do they use (eg. would you prefer a coursework based course without exams) and has the University got access to the resources you will need for the course or will you be expected to provide these at your own expense (eg. if you're doing a journalism/broadcasting degree, is there recording equipment available, or if you're doing a sports or science degree, are there laboratories with the correct equipment etc.).

2. Suitable accommodation and affordability - if you're planning on living at University, what is the standard of accommodation they offer? You need to ask yourself, would you be comfortable living there and can you afford the accommodation you want with your student loan/finances. Likewise, I would always recommend trying to visit the city/local area of the Universities you are looking at, this way you can see what shops and facilities are within close proximity, see whether you can envision yourself living there, and also assess how comfortable/safe you would feel living within that area. Along with accommodation, it's essential you like the University buildings and study areas, as you will be spending the majority of the next (minimum) three years there.

3. What help and advice services does the University offer? - is there somewhere you can go if any problems arise whilst you're at University? Can they offer you careers and employment advice, it also might be helpful to look at the Universities statistics such as graduate employment percentages, University ratings etc. Also, is there financial help available if ever you need it, and how much guidance are lecturers willing to provide to help you with your studies?

4. University social life - if you're going to Uni to make friends and socialise, do they provide opportunities to do this? It's always a good idea to visit the Student's Union and hear about their reputation and what they can offer, especially the sports clubs and societies available in case you want to carry on a hobby you've had at home, or look into starting a new one. 

5. Distance from home - is the University situated close enough/far enough away from home? You might prefer to be able to get home in under two hours, or looking for a University further away. This is also something important to consider if you're planning on commuting. Is it a distance you will feel comfortable travelling up to five days a week, whether that be by car or on public transport? I would always recommend doing a practice journey to really get a feel of what it would be like. 

So there we go guys, my 5 top-tips when visiting a University open day. I hope you found these useful, make sure to reach out to me in the comments down below, on my socials, or via email with your thoughts or if you have any questions about starting studying at University. Remember you can download my University Open Days Checklist HERE, and I hope you're just as excited as I am for this new chapter. See you soon for another blog post! Lots of love xoxo