
Student-parent’s guide to open days
This short guide is to help you feel in control of your open day experience. It will help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the setting you're visiting is right for you and your family commitments.
Content provided by Andrea Todd, Associate Professor of Active Citizenship at the University of Chester.
Tips for making the most of your open day
-
1
Think carefully about what you want to know before the open day
We've suggested some questions which might be relevant to you below, but you may also have your own questions. -
2
Take a look at the students with parenting responsibilities advice
This advice introduces you to what will happen during your university or college journey, explains the terms used in the suggested questions, and may also prompt further questions you want to ask. -
3
Ensure you know the layout and timings of the open day
There will usually be an area dedicated to central university teams (sometimes called 'Student services'), and these teams may give talks during the day. Many unis and colleges also offer talks given by lecturers from your academic department. Make sure you know when these talks are taking place. -
4
Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask about the things that matter to you
Remember, this is your day – so get all the answers to your questions. -
5
Don’t be shy to ask for follow-up
If the people you speak to on the day don't have an immediate answer for you, ask them to follow-up with you afterwards by email so you can get the information you need.
Suggested open day questions
If there are any terms you're unfamiliar with in the questions below, you can find explanations for them in
.You will also see why the answers to the questions will be important during your studies.Use these questions as a starting point and make a note of any other questions you think of to take with you on the day.
Practicalities
The department | Student services |
---|---|
Teaching timetable:
|
Nursery:
|
Assessment timetable:
|
Parking:
|
Teaching locations:
|
Support
The department | Student services |
---|---|
Support groups:
|
Support groups:
|
Personal tutor support:
|
Finances:
|
Catching up:
|
Extracurricular opportunities:
|
Mitigating circumstances for assessment:
|
|
Extracurricular opportunities:
|
