All Colleges and Universities offer the opportunity to go and view the campus and facilities by organising open days. These are a great way to familiarise yourself with your new potential surroundings. Often current students will offer tours where you can be shown all the areas of the college or university that you will use the most so that when you start it isn’t unfamiliar. Open days are a great way to get more information that will help you make the all-important decision. You will have the opportunity to ask students and tutors about your chosen courses and what life at the college/university is really like.
Top Tips!
- Make sure you are booked in for a tour of the campus/site if necessary, not all Open Days allow you to walk straight in.
- Be prepared, make sure you have a clear idea of the information you want to gain from attending the Open Day, perhaps make a list of questions.
- Picture yourself there, going to college and university is a big commitment and you need to be sure it is suited to you.
- Check out the other facilities. Where is the gym? Are there any clubs you can join? Where’s the restaurant/café?
- Get to know the surrounding area, Open Days give you the chance to explore the surrounding areas so you can work out the easiest way to get home.
College and university Open Days are taking place throughout November and December. You can find College Open Day dates here. Click to find out more information about visiting The University of Kent, The University for the Creative Arts or Canterbury Christ Church University here. Don’t worry if you miss an Open Day. You can often arrange to visit informally – just give the college or university a ring to find out more.
Don’t forget there are also advisers in Virtual School Kent and the Care Leavers 18+ Service who can help you too. Talk to your Social Worker or PA who can put you in touch with the right person.
posted by Mark Butcher