Blog | What to Expect at a College Open Day

Heading to a college open day is one of the best ways to experience student life, explore the courses on offer, and see how the campus works, whether you’re considering A Levels, vocational courses, or apprenticeships. Here’s how to make the most of your visit.

Warm Welcome & Easy Check-in

Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by College staff at reception. At Chelmsford College, you’re usually asked to register and book a time slot in advance, which helps the team manage numbers and ensure a smooth flow. Once you're inside, you can stay as long as you like and explore the buildings, visiting multiple departments.

Parking is available at both campuses (though limited), and there are also local street parking options.

Guided Tours & Access to All Departments

Open days aren’t a one-way ticket to sit in a hall and listen to talks. Expect to roam freely, tour the teaching spaces, workshops, and facilities, and explore the campus to see day-to-day learning environments. Chelmsford College hosts showcase events featuring a mix of structured presentations and drop-in access to various subject areas.

Would you like to try out a specific course area? Drop by the relevant department. For example, Chelmsford has dedicated areas for:

• Information Technology (ICT)
• Engineering
• Construction
• Health & Social Care
• Creative Industries
• Online Courses
• Apprenticeships

Talk to Staff, Students & Specialists

An open day gives you a chance to speak to the people who’ll actually be part of your journey:

• Tutors and teaching staff – ask them what a typical week looks like, what’s expected of you, and how they support students.
• Current students – they can give you honest feedback about what works, what doesn’t, and what life is really like.
• Specialist support teams – explore options like SEND support, careers advice, travel advice & finance help, and student wellbeing services. Chelmsford College ensures staff from its Careers Advice Zone and other support services are on hand at its events.

Presentations & Short Talks

You’ll often have the opportunity to attend presentations or short talks tailored to your interests. At Chelmsford College, various subject areas, including apprenticeships, T Levels, life skills, enrichment, and higher-level technical qualifications (HTQs), offer multiple presentation sessions. This is an excellent opportunity to hear directly from staff about what each pathway entails.

These sessions can help you compare courses (e.g., practical vs. theoretical, classroom vs. workshop) and ask questions specific to your priorities.

Available Funding, Travel & Practical Logistics Advice

An open day isn’t just about course content. It’s also a valuable way to work out the logistics of navigating college life. Questions to ask could include:

• How will I get to campus? Consider travel options, campus access, and parking.
• What financial support is available? Chelmsford College staff will often be on hand to explain bursaries, travel help and student finance options.
• What kind of support services exist? Discover how the college supports students from wellbeing to careers advice and learning adjustments.

Gather Information & Compare

Try to come away with clear, comparable information. Here are a few things to note while you’re visiting:

• Course structure and assessment methods (exam vs coursework, practicals vs theory).
• Contact time vs independent study expectations.
• Campus facilities (workshops, IT suites, studios, social spaces, cafés, study areas).
• Student support, including study skills and careers advice, pastoral care, and SEND support.
• What kind of student life can you expect (clubs, enrichment, societies, mentoring or life skills programmes)?

If possible, take notes or photos on your phone, ask for prospectuses or handouts, and don’t hesitate to ask "what if…" questions, e.g. "What happens if I struggle with Maths? Is there extra help available?" or "If I change my pathway, how flexible is the course?"

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Visiting college is one step in your decision-making process. After your visit:

1) Review your notes and compare courses and campuses to determine the best fit.
2) If something wasn’t clear, reach out to the college, ask more detailed questions, request a meeting or ask to revisit a department.
3) Talk through your options with someone who knows you, parents, tutors or a careers adviser, and weigh up what kind of learning environment, balance of study and practical work, and support structure works best for you.

Key Takeaways

An open day is your chance to “kick the tyres” of a college before committing. Chelmsford College’s Showcase Information Events are designed so you can wander, question, explore and get honest feedback from staff, students and support teams. By going prepared, asking the right questions and staying curious, you’ll leave with a much better sense of whether a college and its courses are the right fit for you, and how you’ll make the most of your time there.

Find out more about Chelmsford College’s upcoming showcase events and book your place here.

Chelmsford College looks forward to welcoming prospective students and helping everyone find the right next step in their learning journey.