6 tips to a successful Open Day

I didn’t go to a single Open Day before I put my preferences in for Uni. Originally from a small town in Tasmania, I’d been to the Melbourne campus just once to visit a friend a year previously, and apart from a few fond memories of a really good latte and noodle lunch, I really had no idea what Melbourne University was about.

My excuse for not attending was due to sheer geographical distance – I was finishing up my (second) gap year overseas, and was just excited to get a chance to fire up my neurons again.

My final decision was based on the information I got from the hours I spent trawling various university websites. I could tell you all the ENTER scores, course structures and suggested further pathways for all the degrees I was considering, but I didn’t have a clue about what being a student was going to be like.

If I had had a chance to attend Open Day, I’m not sure how I would have approached it. It’s hard to know what to do when you don’t know what there is to know. You know? So here are my six tips to a successful Open Day.

To any future student considering attending Open Day, my first piece of advice is – do it.

Having worked at two Open Days running the Biomedicine Student Society, seen the work and organisation that goes into the whole event, and been part of the Open Day buzz I can tell you the campus is teeming with students, staff and faculty members all ready and waiting to answer all your questions and impart their knowledge. This is stuff you just can’t get off the website.

The University campus itself is expansive, the courses are numerous and the opportunities are seemingly endless.

To make the most of your time at Open Day, have some idea of what you want to check out.

So my second tip is – plan your day! I don’t mean write yourself a detailed schedule, but have an idea of what you want to check out and any questions you want to ask.

Remember that no question is a bad one – it’s a big transition from school to uni and no one expects you to have it all figured out.

The Open Day guide is like your trusty Lonely Planet guide – maps, programs and handy suggestions by those in the know. Have a read and find relevant course information and course advice sessions before you start and you’re guaranteed to get more out of your day.

From out of town? I sure was when I started university. I had never rented or been totally independent before, and didn’t know who could help or how.

Tip 3! If you can relate, or even if you just want to find out more, there’s a range of support services that are absolutely brilliant and there just to help you.

If you’re needing any housing support, information on residential colleges, financial aid, Indigenous programs, international student advice and much, much more, the Open Day guide will direct you to the appropriate people on Open Day. University can be tough enough without extra stressors in life, so take advantage of these services, which are there to help you.

So moving on to tip 4 – just because you might be applying for your first degree doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about where you’re heading. The Melbourne Model offers a large range of further study options, so if you think you might be interested, make sure you make time to check those out too.

And if you’re about to start your bachelors degree, chances are you’re about to commit yourself to university to a minimum of three years, possibly many more. That’s a long time to spend anywhere. With that in mind, don’t forget about university life outside of your academic studies. I think you can see where I’m going with this.

Tip 5! University life outside of study is alive and well – no matter who you are, there is sure to be a club or society (or probably a whole number of them!) that will take your fancy and now is a good time to get an idea of what’s out there. The University of Melbourne is fortunate to have a rich and vibrant clubs and societies scene with over 120 currently operating – faculty clubs, international societies, sporting clubs and social groups all there to enhance your uni life.

Remember too that you never know what might inspire you, or what you might find yourself interested in down the track.

Although my progression from bachelor of biomedicine to doctor of medicine was my plan from the outset, my studying almost took an unexpected turn when I pursued an interest in political sciences through my breadth subjects and found myself considering law – something I’d never thought about before. So in my final year I took the LSATs, applied for Melbourne’s graduate law degree, the Melbourne JD, and accepted an offer. Suddenly my academic life was at a (pretty major!) crossroad. My point is – you never know!

With this in mind, my last tip is simple – keep an open mind. Whether you have no idea of what you want to do or you’re dead set certain, now is a good time to have a poke around. So ask questions, be open to new ideas and let yourself be inspired.

http://openday.unimelb.edu.au/