This year, Flinders is holding a somewhat different version of our annual Open Days.

While we will offer opportunities to come on campus, we have a new, online Open Days Your Way interactive platform to help potential students uncover everything they need to know about Flinders.

So, as a parent, how can you ensure your teen makes the most of Open Days 2020?

Here are our 5 top tips: 

1.  Don't ignore the importance of planning

Flinders’ Open Days Your Way platform is intuitive and easy to use, with four main areas to explore on the home page (the ‘Lobby’):

• Careers and study areas
• How to apply
• Student life
• Student support

During their two-hour session, your teenager can click through to over 70 video presentations on careers, study areas, student support and university life. They can learn about course options and career pathways, chat online with study area experts or take a virtual campus tour.

The Open Days Your Way platform is an easy way to explore university life at Flinders, but there’s always the chance they may head down the rabbit hole and potentially miss some of the elements that relate to their interests and course choices.

Take the time before their Open Days session to make a plan. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a guide to what your teen wants to get out of their Open Days experience.

2. Encourage questions

When it comes to Open Days, questions are a vital part of the equation. Before their session, make sure they think carefully about what questions they want to ask.

Open Days Your Way has a Chat Now button, so encourage your teen to click through and ask any questions they may have.

3. Dent the distractions

There’s a big difference between on campus and online Open Days.

When they’re held on campus, Open Days do not feature the leftovers in your fridge, or that fidget spinner that’s been at the bottom of your teen’s school bag for the last two years.

Our Open Days Your Way platform is super easy to navigate, and the only online distractions are the good kind (video presentations, virtual tour, online chat etc.). So, do what you can to ensure that their outside environment is distraction free.

4. Feed both the mind and the body

The Open Days Your Way session will stuff your teen’s mind full of engaging, important information. How much they retain depends on a number of factors, including their hunger levels. For obvious reasons, our Open Days Your Way platform doesn’t have any food outlets, so ensure they have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.

Of course, there’s nothing keeping you from scoffing a few sneaky Tim Tams while they’re online.

5. Follow up

While the Open Days Your Way platform is comprehensive and simple to use, there’s a good chance that your teen will have questions after their session. Make sure they follow up on those questions. They can easily book a one-on-one appointment with one of our student advisors.

Parents, we encourage you to register for an Open Days session too and talk to your teen as soon as you can after you’ve both had a chance to explore the platform. You’ll gain a good overview of their Open Days experience, and talking through the key takeaways will help your teen commit them to long-term memory.

And remember, we’re always here to help. 

Contact us

We offer one-on-one appointments with our prospective student team to discuss career options, pathways, and course and entry requirements.