The St Mary’s campus was buzzing last week as we opened our doors wide to welcome prospective students from across Ireland and beyond to our annual College Open Days. Over 800, year-fourteen students from seventy different post-primary schools came to find out more about undergraduate courses and, indeed, all aspects of life at St Mary’s.

Choosing the right university and course is a major decision, and the importance of this choice was reflected by the growing number of parents who came along with their son or daughter to experience one of the Open Days as a family. There really is no substitute for visiting St Mary’s and getting a feel for the place. It is important during open days to get clear information on the different undergraduate options and to have the opportunity to meet current staff and students. A PowerPoint presentation was offered on the BEd (Hons) degree for primary school teaching, the BEd (Hons) degree for post-primary school teaching and on the BA (Hons) Liberal Arts degree.

Open days are also a great opportunity to talk to lecturers and current students about the course or courses prospective students are interested in studying and to perhaps learn about subjects and courses they hadn’t previously considered. After the main presentation student ambassadors shared their experiences of life at St Mary’s, both academic and social.

Open Days are also important in that they offer a chance to view the College Campus. During the Campus Tours, organised by the Students’ Union and led by student ambassadors, the visitors were also able to see, first-hand, the College’s many facilities. The tour included a visit to the library, the Writing Centre, the Careers Guidance Centre, the Open Access Suite and other ICT facilities, the chapel, the Performance Enhancement Centre, Sports Hall and, of course, the Students’ Union and the Student Centre. Visiting students also were able to chat to St Mary’s staff in the various departments and to seek answers to subject specific questions.

“Great tour guides! All questions answered.”

The Open Days can really help prospective students to get a genuine flavour of life at St Mary’s and allow them to visualise studying, living and socialising as a St Mary’s student. Hopefully, it will also inspire and motivate students to reach higher and to strive to achieve entry into a Higher Education Institution (HEI).

“I would have liked more information about course content in the talk but realise that this would probably have taken a lot more time, and it’s all available online, anyway.”