It can be a very stressful time and to ensure you make the most out of your visits, here are some tips for you.

• Ask questions- if there’s any particular subjects or after school activities you’re interested in, ask about what topics are involved and any teachers or students who are there will be happy to answer. It will show how interested you are and will also help build confidence. It will give you an idea about what subjects you would want to take if you go there.
• Don’t be shy- there will be hundreds of other teenagers visiting the open days and a lot of them will be too shy to ask for information. If you’re brave you will be given feedback that will give you a more rounded view about that school. Talking to teachers will help give you an idea of what the people there are like.
• Visit as many as possible- there’s nothing wrong with visiting a school if you have no intentions of going there. Who knows- you might go there and think it’s the best place ever and change your mind! It’s always better to know too much than too little.
• Be prepared- don’t turn up to an open day without thinking about what departments you want to visit, who you want to talk to and what you want to ask. If it’s a university or college visit you may have to book sessions and talks with staff. There is often planners and guides of the day available online or when you arrive in reception. It will give you a chance to plan your time wisely to experience as much as you can.
• Research- ask your friends, family, teachers etc. about what they think. If your friends are visiting a school you didn’t think about, why not join them and go too. Online websites always have loads of information about schools and different subjects they offer.

We wish you good luck and hope it all goes well.