This year I was one of the staff working on the University
of Bedfordshire stand. Over the course of two days I spoke to many students
about the various courses that we offer, provided information about our
accommodation and transport links, and was asked by a couple of students what
was the best thing about Bedfordshire (to which I replied “Go Global – I wish
my university offered something like that when I was a student!).
There were a couple of questions however that have really stuck
with me.
What exactly am I meant to be doing here?
Excellent question! Stupidly I assume every year (well, this
is the third year I’ve worked at the UCAS exhibition), that students will come
into the exhibition with a plan of action, but not all students know exactly
what they want to do at this point – I certainly didn’t. So for those students
who don’t know what, or where, they want to study, or even if they want to go
to university, it’s a chance to attend subject talks, which will give you an
insight into what you may learn from a degree in that area, and where it could
lead you. It also gives you a chance to speak to universities and find out a
little more about them. Even if you’re not sure what you want to study at this
point you may be able to find out what universities offer placement years,
internships, scholarships, and opportunities to work abroad, to name just a
few, which may influence your final decision.
I don’t need to attend an Open Day now do I?
At the exhibition I invited many students to come along to
our next Open Day and a couple asked why they needed to, if they’d spoken to us
at the fair – another excellent question! Although the UCAS exhibition is a
great way to gather information, you will probably end up speaking to many
universities and institutions, and you may feel like you have been overloaded
with information. I would recommend using the UCAS exhibitions as a starting
point – speak to as many universities as possible and, from this, choose your
favourite universities and book to attend an Open Day at those institutions.
At an Open Day you’ll be able to take a tour of the campus,
which will help you to really get a feel for the university. You’ll also be
able to meet current students and hear about their experiences, and find out
exactly what that university offers in terms of extra-curricular activities, career
support, internship opportunities and facilities etc.
At the exhibitions the stands are typically run by someone
from the Recruitment team. At an Open Day you’ll have the opportunity to speak
to academics from your chosen department – the people that you’ll be dealing
with on a day-to-day basis if you chose to study at that institution – and they’ll
be able to talk in detail about your subject and how it is taught at that
institution.
And finally, I can't talk about Open Days and UCAS exhibitions without talking about the freebies! Most institutions will at least have some free pens which you can stock up on. And if you do attend our UCAS exhibition next year make sure you grab your friends and visit our photobooth.
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