Ep 66 - TAFE and University Open Days: 5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Open Day

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TAFE and university Open Days are a great opportunity to get a feel for what your tertiary experience could actually be like. But if you arrive without a plan, it’s easy to spend the day collecting brochures and still leave without the information you need.

In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I share five tips to help you make the most of your next TAFE or university Open Day.

What we’re talking about:

1. Register for your Open Day — 2:05

Before you go, head to the TAFE or university website and register for the Open Day.

This means you’ll receive information about what’s happening on the day, including sessions and other activities. You’ll also hear about future opportunities to find out more about courses and study options.

2. Do some research before you go — 3:43

You’re likely to come home from an Open Day with plenty of pamphlets and course information. But doing some research before you go means you can work out what you already know — and what you still need to find out.

Think about the questions you want answered before you arrive. That way, you can use your time on the day to gather the extra information you need to make an informed decision.

3. Plan your day — 5:48

Once you know what’s happening at the Open Day, you can plan your time.

Check the times of the information sessions you’re interested in and make a plan for when you need to be where. This is particularly useful if you’re trying to visit more than one institution on the same day.

Write down your questions before you go, too. It’s much easier to ask them when you’ve already thought about what you want to know.

4. Soak up the atmosphere — 7:30

If you choose to study at this TAFE or university, you’ll be spending a lot of time there. So you want to get a sense of whether it’s somewhere you feel comfortable and inspired to learn — or at least somewhere you want to turn up each day!

Open Days give you the chance to experience the institution beyond the course information. Have a look around, get a feel for the campus and find out what opportunities are available outside academic study.

5. Remember that you are in the driver’s seat — 9:29

If you’re feeling anxious about going to an Open Day or asking questions, remember that the institution is holding the Open Day because it wants you to consider studying there.

The people running the event want to speak to you and answer your questions.

So forget about ATARs and everything that’s happening at school for a moment. Use the opportunity to explore your options and get excited about what your future could look like.

Links mentioned:

My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

Grab your free Open Day planning tool: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/open-days