In January, five polytechnic open houses are held over three days. What if I want to attend some of them? Singapore Polytechnic student Oh Jing Xuan quickly got through the open house before deciding on her course of study. Now a student volunteer, she offers her advice on how to plan your time and pack more into your weekends.
Oh Jing Xuan
Official Information: Polytechnic open house season can be busy and noisy.
Working as a student volunteer at open houses over the past few years, I have witnessed countless prospective students walk through the front doors eager to find the keys to their future, only to leave looking overwhelmed by the noise and activity.
Ultimately, they may not be able to make informed choices.
Here are five insider tips on how to make the most of your time at your next open house.
1. Know what you want
Let's face reality. Many visitors arrive at these venues without a clear plan and end up adrift with the crowd. This often leads to confusion and leaves visitors unsure of what their purpose is.
Keep in mind, you only have three days to explore five polytechnics that have their own unique and fascinating ways to capture your heart. There are over 100 courses to choose from.
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
all. What subjects am I good at in school?
rain. Can you imagine me working in this industry?
Seed. Is this the career I'm growing into?
With a few answers in mind, you can start curating courses that are closer to your preferences and passions. From there, you can cut through the noise and narrow down your focus to two or three faculties per polytechnic.
2. Plan your time
Open houses are held regularly during the first week of January, Thursday through Saturday.
In our experience, many visitors arrive on Saturday afternoons for convenience. But I think it's better to go on a weekday when there are fewer visitors and you're more likely to get personalized attention (and when the freebies haven't run out… if you like freebies, go to number 4!).
Even better if all the student volunteers show up on the first day ready to give you a warm welcome to this highly anticipated event of the school year.
As open house volunteers, we are ready to field all kinds of questions, serious and even awkward ones like “Will this course make money?”
3. Ask personal questions
Student volunteers typically have up to five minutes to interact with each visitor.
During this short period of time, you can expect a general overview of the course you are inquiring about, but this may be somewhat disappointing.
You might be thinking something like this:
“But I already know everything…”
“Where are the interesting details on your website?”
“I was looking forward to new insights!”
This is why you need to be proactive and ask every question on your mind. Student volunteers cannot always discern who is truly interested in the course and who is there to explore. So you should ask more questions and ask less “mhm”.
Learning more about a course can be done by asking people currently enrolled in the program personal questions, such as “What was your most memorable class?” or “How does this course prepare you for the future?” We have a wealth of stories to share. But whether your question hits the mark or misses it depends on your willingness to engage further.
4. Get something free!
Of all the tips, this is the best one: get it for free! Don't be shy. Our student volunteers rarely have the opportunity to get these great things. Buying a new shirt or water bottle is always fantastic, right? I brought home some cool prizes like exclusive sling bags from NP and specialty trading cards from SP.
When visitors come to pick up the decorations we designed for our open house, our morale and our school's morale also gets a huge boost.
I (seated, second from right) was part of a team producing specialty course videos for prospective students.
5. What poly vibes do you have?
Open houses are always an exciting time for everyone. During this time, school spirit at the Polytechnic is at its peak among staff and students, so it's a great time to see if you connect with what you see.
Did you know that more than half of polytechnic students are actively participating in this event? In fact, classes will be suspended during this event. Everyone, from your marketing team to your student affairs staff, wants to make you feel welcome and leave a positive impression. So don't hesitate. Take an active part in the planned activities or even give them a high five at the entrance! Step right in and feel the spirit of each school.
Polytechnic Open House is a pleasure to be a part of. You can feel the genuine excitement of everyone who is working hard to make this event a reality and they are so welcoming to our visitors. With vibrant energy and abundant opportunities awaiting you, we believe that no matter which polytechnic you choose to explore, you will find a place that will feel like your home away from home.
Are you ready for the weekend? Upload this to your calendar.
In 2024, all polytechnics will be open to the public from 4 to 6 January 2024.
We are on Telegram! Subscribe to our channel: https://t.me/schoolbag_edu_sg