How to Make College Open Days Work for Your CAO List
We’ve all heard the phrase "school days are the best days of your life," but I firmly believe whoever came up with that never went to college!
November is lining up to be a busy and important month for Leaving Cert students. With the CAO application portal opening on the 5th of November and a wide array of college and faculty open days on the horizon, it's a critical time in the school calendar. While many students are still in the “exploring” phase of their career planning, open days offer an excellent opportunity to get the inside track before locking in their CAO Order of Preference.
Students should treat open days as a two-way street: an opportunity to gather key course information, but also a chance to test out student life on campus. Are there clubs and societies that pique their interest? What will the daily commute look like? How large are the lecture halls? These are all essential factors to weigh up before building a CAO list.
Here are my top tips to help students make the absolute most of college open days:
1. Identify Your Fields of Interest
Before stepping foot on campus, pinpoint the areas you are most curious about. Reflect on the school subjects you enjoy most - and the ones you prefer the least! Research courses aligned with those interests and check the minimum entry requirements first. There is no point attending a talk for a course that requires Higher Level Maths or a specific science subject if you aren't taking it.
2. Plan Your Schedule in Advance
Map out the open day timetable before you arrive. Know when and where your key course talks are happening, locate where faculty stands are situated and leave dedicated time to wander around the campus. If you are going with a friend, try to ensure you share similar areas of interest - or agree to split up for specific talks and meet up again to explore the campus. You don't want to miss a crucial presentation just to keep a friend company at a talk that doesn't interest you!
3. Ask the Right Questions
Write down a list of questions on your phone ahead of time. Some queries to consider:
Common Entry: If a course uses a common entry route, is everyone guaranteed their preferred specialization in Year 2 or 3, or are places capped?
Work Experience & Study Abroad: Does the program include a structured work placement or Erasmus opportunities?
Accreditation: Does the course carry professional body accreditation and is it recognised internationally?
Alternative Routes: Are there PLC/FET pathways into this course if points fall short?
4. Speak Directly to Current Students
Student ambassadors will give you the candid truth about course life. Ask them:
What made you choose this course?
What has been the most challenging part so far?
What do you wish you knew before placing the course on your CAO list?
Their perspectives on timetables, continuous assessment workloads and campus culture provide the "real world" insight you won't find in any college prospectus.
5. Take Notes & Capture Photos
When you visit two or three campuses in short succession, details start to blur together. Take photos of key slides during presentations and jot down quick bullet points or voice notes on your phone right after each talk while it's fresh in your mind.
6. Reflect and Share
When you get home, take time to reflect on what you experienced. Note down what excited you alongside any lingering doubts. Share these thoughts with your parents, guardians, friends, or Guidance Counsellor - talking it through often helps clarify your preferred direction.
Need Guidance Navigating Your CAO Strategy?
If you attend open days and still feel uncertain about which courses or pathways fit you best, you don't have to figure it out alone.
I offer one-to-one CAO Strategy Consultations designed to identify your core career interests, natural aptitudes and strengths. Together, we map these directly to viable career paths and supporting CAO choices, building a tailored Order of Preference that sets you up for long-term success.
🗓️ Book a free discovery call: www.futureconnect.ie/appointments
✉️ Email: jane@futureconnect.ie