How to get the most out of college open days

  • Posted 10 Nov 2021
A prospective student attending a USP college Open Day

We know that going to college is a really important step and that you need all the information you can get before you make a decision.

Our Open Evenings are a great opportunity to see USP College for yourself and ask any questions you have.

Here are our top tips for getting the most out of an open evening:

  • Decide which date you want to attend. Most colleges will have several open evenings, so pick the date that suits you and book your place.
  • Think about what you want to get out of the evening. What do you want to know? Write down your questions so you don’t forget. Have a look round our website or our prospectus beforehand to find out what courses you might be interested in, so you can prepare a few questions.
  • Open evenings can be overwhelming so it’s a good idea to take some notes so you don’t forget anything important.
  • Talk to our student ambassadors, even if they aren’t taking the courses you are interested in, they’ll be able to give you a good idea of what life at college is really like. They can also explain how studying at college is different to school.

And don’t forget to have a chat to our support staff:

  • Careers Advisors – our Careers Advisors are on hand to offer impartial advice and guidance on choosing the correct courses for you.
  • Work Experience team – students studying a vocational qualification will all have a work experience placement included as part of their course, so why not have a chat to find out what work experience and volunteering opportunities are available.
  • Learning Support – the team are able to assist with a variety of needs including, but not limited to, dyslexia, hearing impairment, physical disabilities, sensory impairment, autism. They are also able to provide support with planning essays, time management and structuring coursework. Have a chat to the team and find out more about the support available.
  • Student Services, Wellbeing & Safeguarding team – the team are dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and personal development of all our students. They can assist with counselling, wellbeing, safeguarding, financial support and much more.

Most importantly, enjoy the evening, have a good look round and don’t be afraid to ask questions, all this will help you decide on which college is right for you and which courses you want to take.