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Words: Niamh Dwyer

At this time of the year many colleges hold a Spring Open Day which offers Leaving Cert students a second chance to visit the campus and offers transition and 5^th year students an ideal opportunity to kickstart their visits to colleges that may be of interest. Spring Open Days tend to be less busy than the main Open Days in Autumn which means that students can gain more from the experience by doing a campus tour, attending talks and workshop and meeting with current students and college staff. Leaving Cert is a busy year for students and it is never too early to start researching college courses. The following pointers will help that research.

• Look up the dates of Spring Open Days on www.qualifax.ie/events/opendays
• Look up the college website before the visit and make a note of particular. courses you are interested in. Make note of key information you want to get or questions you want to ask.
• Plan the day in advance by downloading the schedule of talks and workshops and a map of the campus from the college website. Make note of the specific talks that you want to attend.
• Get there early so that you can make the most of the day.
• Speak to as many people as you can in the areas that interest you. If possible try to talk to students and staff. Ask them the relevant questions.
• Gather whatever literature you need and when you return home make note of the key details that are important for you in trying to make decisions at a later date.

Spring Open Day takes place in IT Tralee on Saturday, April 21 from 11am–2pm with taster workshops, course talks, campus tours and information for parents. See www.ittralee.ie for details. Spring Open Days take place in UCC  on May 16/17.

Niamh Dwyer is a guidance counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore and is PRO of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She can be contacted at careerfocusnow@gmail.com.