If your child is heading to an open day, you’ll probably be wondering if you should go with them. We’ve got a handy list of reasons why that’s a good idea...
Updated: 15 Apr 2025
Open days are great for giving prospective students a chance to see what universities are really like. We recommend students head to several open days to see what's available – if your child needs to know what open days are available and book their place, our Open Days hub is where they need to go.
But here’s the question: if your child is going to an open day, should you go with them?
Your child might want to go to an open day alone or with their friends instead, but if they're happy for you to tag along, here are some great reasons why you should take the time to go…
Joining your child on an open day means you’ll be able to keep an eye out for things they might miss. You can guarantee you and your child will be looking for different stuff. Not only that, you’ll be able to offer a second opinion and act as a sounding board for their thoughts on the uni.
Top tip: List out all the things you want to check out on the day and get your child to do the same. After the open day, you can compare notes.
If you send your child off to university without checking out the campus, accommodation or local areas beforehand, you’ll probably be fraught with worry. By checking it all out on an open day, you’ll be reassured that your child will be in an environment where they will feel safe, supported and happy.
Plus, giving the uni your stamp of approval will reassure your child too. Bonus!
Going to university is expensive. Heading to an open day lets you check out the quality of the facilities, see the learning environment and speak directly to lecturers.
You should also check out the accommodation options, which will help you determine if your child will be getting good value for money.
It’s a big step for your child to head off to uni, but it’s also a big step for you to see them go. Heading out to an open day and helping them make the decision of which university they want to study at is a great chance to get in some quality time with your child.
Top tip: Plan to head to the campus a little earlier or stay a little later and use extra time to check out the local area – it’s almost just as important as checking out the university itself.
NEXT: Read our guide to everything you need to know about open days here!
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