Student Edge’s Uni Open Day Survival Guide

This post is presented in partnership with the University of Melbourne.

Few things are as intimidating as stepping onto a university campus for the very first time, especially if you’re there to suss out whether or not you should spend the next three (or seven!) years of your life on its grounds. Compared to your relatively intimate high school, you might feel as if you’ve been plucked out of a fishbowl and hurled into a sharknado.

Yet, going to your uni-of-choice’s Open Day is essential. Though you may already have your heart set on a particular course of study (as outlined in the thousands of brochures you’ve no doubt been provided with), Open Days let you evaluate all the other unspoken qualities of a university. The culture, architecture, cafeteria and commute are all worth evaluating before you make your final choice. Open Days simply allow you to get all the information before taking the plunge.

Unfortunately, there’s much – too much - to see on an Open Day and not much time to see it all. That is why we’ve put together this fool-proof Survival Guide. Read on for our hacks to help you smartly navigate these unpredictable and action-packed afternoons on campus, and ensure you walk away with the information you really need to know.

1. First thing’s first. Get the coffee.

You’re going to need that caffeine fix if you’re to power through the impending information overload. Not only that, it’s important to investigate just how good the lattes and mochas are on campus, as well as how conveniently the cafes and coffee carts are spread out. “Entrepreneurial students have opened up small businesses around campus, including pop-up coffee carts and crepe stands, adding to the eclectic on-campus vibe” says Bianca Le Brocque, from the University of Melbourne’s Open Day team.

2. Don’t just wander aimlessly. Plan your day in advance.

“There’s so much happening on Open Day, from course information sessions to entertainment; if you go along without any pre-planning it can be a bit overwhelming,” warns Le Brocque. “The trick is to spend some time planning your day.” University campuses are enormous, so if you panic about what to hit next, you may not manage to see much at all. Be sure to visit your prospective school’s website as they’re certain to have a schedule for you to print off and highlight with abandon. “The Melbourne Uni Open Day website has a mobile-friendly Plan Your Day feature, which you can then access on the day so you have your schedule on hand,” added Le Brocque. Find out where your courses of interest are based and when the most interesting speakers are giving their talks. Treat it like a music festival. You wouldn’t venture onto a festival showgrounds without a little pre-planning first, right?

3. Follow the uni on social media.

Schedule aside, universities usually post updates regarding Open Days on social media, including surprise events, spot prizes and, importantly, time and location changes. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are not only your friend on Open Days, they allow you to interpret the vibe of your university all year round. Check out the photos they share and the messages they post. Does this feel like a uni you’d like to ‘like’?

4. Find an actual student and get the lowdown.

Be sure to speak to someone who can honestly describe what it’s like to be a student at whichever university you’re interested in attending. Professors are a fount of knowledge; however, it’s the other students who have a better understanding of what it actually means to be, well, a student. Poke one on the shoulder… just make sure they seem friendly first.

5. Send mum and dad on some reconnaissance missions.

It’s smart to bring your parents along with you, as they, believe it or not, usually have sage advice to share. Still, you may need to set them on individual assignments to make sure you can collect as much intel as possible. For instance: What is the parking situation like? How many healthy – or, let’s face it, inexpensive - food options are there? Is there a convenient way to catch public transport? Are there enough benches to accommodate cat naps between classes? Is there Wi-Fi in the Library? They can gather this helpful info for you and allow you a little bit of private time to think over your next big step. When they return with the goods, reward them with some scones. Parents love scones. “At the University of Melbourne for instance, we hold a parent’s retreat in the Library, where they can enjoy scones and tea and mingle with other parents,” said Le Brocque.

6. If your parents aren’t available, make a day of it with friends.

Pick a posse of friends you trust and collectively see if the uni meets your specifications. Then, if the uni’s not right for you, at least you’ve made a day of it with your nearest and dearest. Being with your pals in a uni setting might also help you better picture what uni life is actually like. See if there are extra-curricular activities, groups or events the lot of you might want to participate in.

7. Spend some time simply strolling the campus to see if it’s “environmentally” friendly.

By this, we don’t mean friendly to the environment, though that is a definite plus. Rather, what does the vibe of the campus – its gardens, its architecture – do to you? Does it inspire you? Does it feel claustrophobic? Is it dizzying? Is it invigorating? You’re going to spend a lot of time here, and the natural and physical landscape of any kind of area can take its toll, positive or negative. Consider how this campus makes you feel.

There you have it! Seven handy hacks to get you through your (hopeful) uni’s Open Day.

The University of Melbourne’s Open Day takes place on August 16, 2015. Go to Open Day 2015 to plan your day.