Don’t rush
Take your time at the open day. Spend 3-4 hours to get the feel of the campus.
Make a big day of it
Your career decision will be influenced most by your family and friends. If you can go to the open day with both family and friends, do that!
If you haven’t ever been to an Open Day Check Year 11: How to approach university open days.
Preparation
Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.
Zig Ziglar
Research
- If you haven’t decided which university to go to check Which University is Best for You?
- Check the First in Family site for a rich pool of information about going to uni.
- If you know what uni but don’t know which course, talk to a career advisor before you go to the open day.
- Identify second and third options.
Pick the Best Bits Before You Get There
- As the day draws closer, each university will finalise its schedule of events, campus tour, displays and classes.
- Check the Open Day Program and plan your day.
Notre Dame Open Day information page
Notre Dame information page
On the Day
Don’t rush. Plan to spend a 3 – 4 hours at the Open Day.
- Book in for a campus tour.
- If there are overarching welcome events, make sure you go to those.
- Go to course information sessions.
- Go to subject taster sessions
Pick Me! Faculty Stands
Every faculty wants you to enrol in one of their courses.
ASK:
University lecturers are the experts at the faculty stands who you need to approach with questions like:
- Why do you love working in this field?
- What are the career opportunities in this field?
- What are the entry requirements and pathways available?
- How long will it take to get the degree as a full time student?
- What subjects can you choose from?
- What support is available to students.
- If you qualify within any support group ask about financial and other support that the university provides.
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- There may be help available to you if you are you First in Family, Aboriginal, RRR, migrant, Disability, woman in non-traditional occupation, if you have a disability, if you are from a defence family.
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- What opportunities are there for face to face learning?
- What support is available to students learning online?
- What opportunities does the course provide for students to engage with industry through the degree?
- What types of careers do graduates go into?
If you do not have course prerequisites or think you may not achieve the required ATAR, ask about alternative pathways.
Find Current Students at the Stands
There will be current students at most stands. Ask them what course they are doing and what they love and hate about it.
Ask a student ambassador if they are willing to have a coffee with you.
- Ask why they are doing the course and if they are going to achieve the outcome they hoped for.
- Find what extracurricular activities there are. Are there any clubs or teams that you can join now?
- What can the union offer to students?
- Find out what they have done about fees, financial support and scholarships.
Early Offers
You may be invited to enrol on the spot. Don’t do this.
Don’t make your career decision based on a brochure and 30 second discussion. If there is a crowd at the stand when you visit, ask for an appointment.
Don’t sign up at an Open Day.
Accommodation
If you plan to stay in university accommodation:
- Tour at least one of the accommodation colleges
- Ask where you can find accommodation scholarships and financial support.
- Check University Accommodation Scholarships for 2022 to see what is currently available.
Register
In 2022 some universities are asking you to register prior to the event and to do all you can to prevent spreading COVID 19.
Book an appointment with a career counsellor
Even if you are one of the few who knows exactly what course you want to take, book a free appointment with a career counsellor. They may know of:
- different subjects that you might love
- support services that you can tap into
- sports and clubs you can join now
- financial systems that are available.
Get on Track to University in WA in 2023
Get on Track to University in WA in 2023 online book captures all of the current information you need to create your best path to uni in 2023.
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