I'm not so convinced. As someone who works in the sector, I don't really understand the need to do lots and lots of open days. Universities are more alike than we pretend.
In terms of lifestyle, there really are only six choices: Oxbridge; London; small town prestigious; campus; urban; small town 'local' post-92. Most people will probably have an intuitive sense of which of these would suit them, or at least can discount three or four styles. After visiting a couple of unis the value of extra visits really drops - if you've been to Leeds, you have a pretty good sense of life at Manchester, or Liverpool, or Newcastle; if you've been to Lancaster you don't really need to visit York, or Keele, or wherever. Add to this that course availability, grades and other personal preferences restrict choice in various ways and I think with a bit of research the vast majority of students needn't visit more than 4 unis and most need only visit a couple.
I can't help but think that students and their families are being somewhat conned slightly into making these trips by universities who are desperate to recruit, and a travel industry which is quite happy to facilitate the extra visits
I disagree. As someone joining University for my first year in September, it's completely inconceivable for me to not visit somewhere that I will be spending 3+ years, as well as investing time and gaining debt (I know some say it's like an invisible debt, but it is still there). The biggest difference between Universities is demonstrated after you have whittled down your choices - I wanted to visit loads but got to around 6 after considering the difference in courses etc. The
impression that the university gives you, the
atmosphere and the interest/enthusiasm of the initial lecture is something that people really want to experience for themselves. It's not JUST about sense of life, because yes, you may have either visited those cities before or visiting another close by.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that train fares should be reduced even further for students (I use a Two Together Railcard with my mum, some can go on their own and use a 16-25 Railcard). What I am saying is that it is fair enough that students want to visit their place of study. But, as others have said, there are often cheaper ways of doing so with research (Megatrain for example, although I know this may not be possible for much longer).
Can you imagine them doing that these days? I can't.
They'd be reluctant to sell their IPhone, XBox, Apple computer or even personal furniture (pans, bedside cabinate, etc) just to get from where they're studying to where they actually live. I think it stems down to this mindset that some students (not all, but some) feel that they want everything for free or at least costing no more than £4.
Yet most of the student loan is spent on unessacary items such as booze, if they can afford that then they can afford the set price on rail fares.
Students don't want everything for free. It's important to remember a huge societal pressure on students now to maintain studies, social life, relationships and still go home regularly to parents if living in accommodation. Nobody is saying students should get free travel on the train, and those really struggling perhaps should get the coach, it is more economical ultimately. Many of my friends do so. Those who are more smart and manage their money better, booking advance fares as soon as they come out, find that travelling by rail is still much better.
You may be choosing to fill your time, but the majority of teenagers don't have commitments like children and full time work. They have school/college, but that's a much shorter day and homework could be done on the coach. If you choose to fill your time with other things, that's your choice, but don't expect any sympathy if that means you have to work or save to afford a costlier but faster method of transport. In life you make choices, and with those choices come consequences. Some are positive and some are negative.
I admit that I may not be the same as a lot of students, but in the run up to my A Levels (which are now finished), I was revising for up to 12 hours each day, at sixth form between 7:50am and 6:00pm four days a week, and the other three working at home instead. Anything that took up more than a couple of hours of my time caused me stress (possibly more than necessary) but it was because I needed the time to focus. There is a much higher expectation on students to do well, I know my teachers are expecting a lot from me as I gained an unconditional, and I was working to prove that I wasn't just relaxing as I had nothing to worry about.
Edit: Also just remembered - I saw something at the University of Bristol this year - if your annual household income is less than £42,875, then you are entitled to claim back the cost of your travel to their official Open Day. This is
only for the student and NOT any accompanying parents, carers or friends. This is based on the assumption that you book early in advance to gain the most favourable fare and of course, standard class only. It's also eligible for petrol costs as well.