It’s natural for your young person to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. While they focus on the immediate ‘vibe’, your presence provides a calm, steady perspective on the environment they could be calling home.
By attending together, you can balance their enthusiasm with your practical experience in the following ways:
Acting as a second pair of eyes: while they envision their social life, you can notice the details students often miss, like the maintenance of the facilities, the availability of library desks and the general upkeep of the campus.
Filtering the marketing: you can help them look past the Open Day shine to see the daily reality. Observe whether the physical environment truly matches the high standards set in the brochure.
Providing a trusted sounding board: you offer a safe space for them to process their thoughts. Sometimes, simply having you listen helps them move from a vague feeling of ‘this looks cool’ to the certainty of ‘this feels right.’
Reviewing the logistics: you can assess the ‘boring but important’ details, like the safety of the local area and the convenience of travel links. This leaves them free to focus entirely on the course and the lecturers.
Things to keep an eye on
Think of yourself as the supportive observer. While your child talks to tutors and students, keep your focus on the practical reality of the campus.
Facilities and learning
Inspect the lecture theatres by looking past the shiny foyers. Are the actual teaching rooms comfortable and well-maintained?
Audit the library by walking through the study zones to see if they offer a genuine variety of quiet and collaborative spaces.
Check the specialised equipment in the labs, studios or workshops. Does the equipment look modern and ready for student use?
Campus and accommodation
Evaluate the accommodation tours by looking at the show flat with a critical eye. Is there enough storage? How do the noise levels feel in the communal areas?
Observe the security by looking for visible safety measures like key-card access points, 24/7 reception desks and well-lit pathways between buildings.
Test the walking distances by timing how long it takes to get from the student halls to the main lecture blocks and social areas. See what the local transport links are like for getting home.
The surrounding environment
Explore the local amenities by venturing outside the campus. Can you see a well-stocked, brightly-lit supermarket or a pharmacy within easy reach?
Monitor the atmosphere by watching the current students. Do they look happy and engaged, or do the social spaces feel empty and neglected?
Assess the transport links by locating the nearest bus stops or train stations. Are they well-served for a student without a car, and is there a student car park if needed?
Parent tip: let your young person take the lead. Encourage them to hold the map and ask the first questions. Stay in the background to observe the practicalities; you can save the detailed discussion for the journey home once the initial excitement has settled.
Questions to ask during an Open Day
Keep these four areas in mind as you walk around. If you only ask one thing in each area, make it the golden question.
Clarify if the university helps to find placements or if students must find their own.
The golden question to careers staff: "What specific companies did last year's graduates actually go to work for?"
Money and accommodation
Verify if the rent is truly all-inclusive (Wi-Fi and insurance are often extra in private halls).
Test the route. If the halls are a 20-minute walk away, check if the path is safe and well-lit for a 10pm return.
The golden question to students: "How much do you typically spend on a weekly food shop in the local supermarkets?"
Wellbeing and safety
Challenge the wait times. Don’t ask if they have mental health support (they will); ask about the wait times. A service you can't access for six weeks isn't a safety net.
Look for 24/7 presence in student accommodation and campus security and safety apps for late nights.
The golden question to support staff:"If my child feels overwhelmed in their first month, who is the first human being they can go and talk to face-to-face?"
Student reality
Evaluate the job market. If the city is ‘student-heavy,’ competition for local cafe or retail jobs will be fierce.
Prompt them for honesty. Ask what they would change about the university if they had a magic wand.
The golden question to students:"What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you moved here in your first week?"
