Advising Advising

There is an orientation unit at the beginning of every degree course which is meant to make it easer to get started with your studies. You can make your first friends, get to know the student organisations and attend joint events. Everything is organised by experienced students in higher semesters. Information is available on your degree course web page.

To help students successfully overcome the challenges of the first semester, HAW Hamburg's First-Year Orientation Team offers the invaluable first-semester tutorials  in which experienced tutors support the new students during their first semester.

Ask yourself what you hope to get from your studies. Do you want a job where you can earn a lot of money? Or is it important to you to have fun and get satisfaction from studying? Do you want to expand your prospects with your degree? If you keep your goals clearly in the forefront of your mind, it helps you stay motivated, even during the 'downs' that happen at some point during everyone's studies.

Especially in the first year, there are a lot of demands. You have to get used to the new setting, the university structure and the amount of material you need to cover. Additionally, it is usually the 'dry', study-intensive and demanding foundational subjects that make up your course plan, and you might have expected to start out by 'taking things easy'.

This is precisely why you should devote a lot of energy and motivation to your studies in the first year. In the second year it usually gets more interesting and easier. The reward is that you already have the 'difficult' subjects behind you and can choose more interesting ones.

Studying for a degree is actually like a full-time job – sometimes more, especially during exam periods, and sometimes less. This is why it is so important to be well organised. Among other things, this means making a plan for the entire semester in order to keep on top of all the important dates and avoid having too much to do right before exams. A weekly plan can also help clearly separate times for studies, job, leisure and daily chores – in order to also include free time without a guilty conscience.

Try to set priorities. You don't need to know everything; you need to know what is really necessary and will most likely be asked in exams – as well as whatever information beyond that that interests you.

Talk with your fellow students and get in touch with the Student Council, the advisors in your department or the Student Counselling Office if you need support.

If you feel like your degree course isn't what you expected, don't hesitate to switch subjects or universities. Even if it feels like failure at first, you've acquired important experience. In some cases your credit points will be recognised too. Talk to the Student Counselling Office or the advisors in your department if you are having doubts.

Working together and exchanging information with other students is worthwhile for several reasons: It generally improves the quality of your studies (the whole is more than the sum of its parts). It helps you make friends. And it might help increase your enthusiasm for subjects you don't like so much – and if not, it's easier to get through it with a fellow sufferer. Without regular study groups, getting through your studies is a much greater challenge.

'Those who are afraid to ask questions are ashamed to learn.'

Engage actively and critically with the subject matter and don't be afraid to ask your instructors and professors questions. If you really delve into the material and strive for exchange with your professors, you're more likely to be enthusiastic about your courses and avoid losing motivation.

Regardless of whether you'd like to study abroad for a semester or do an internship – do it! This experience won't just be helpful in your studies but will also give you valuable personal experience. The International Office and the student exchange coordinator in your faculty can help you.

Even though there's nothing wrong with wanting to complete your studies within the standard period of study (six or seven semesters), you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself. For example, if you need to study longer because of an internship or a semester abroad, or because you didn't pass all your exams the first time around, it's not a big deal. What is important, though, is to carefully read the degree course and examination regulations and obtain advice from your department's advisors, the Examinations Office or the Student Counselling Office if necessary.

The university provides you with the framework for your studies; what you make of them is up to you.

'The path to the goal begins on the day you take full responsibility for your actions.'

Dante Alighieri

If you notice that you are having difficulty with your studies, for whatever reason, get professional support sooner rather than later. 'I'll manage alone somehow,' may work out in some cases, but it is usually easier and more effective to come to the open office hours or make an appointment at the Student Counselling Office.