Expectations meet reality: My conclusion after eight semesters of study

When someone asks Anne what semester she is currently studying in, she always answers honestly, but usually with a self-deprecating laugh: “Currently in my eighth, but I'll definitely need two more.” At the beginning of her university career, she actually thought she would be done after six semesters at the latest. “But I didn't just have an idea about a specific length of study, I also had an idea about my time at university in general and how I would use that time.” Spoiler: things turned out quite differently. Is she disappointed now, after eight semesters? “No, not at all. I would do it all again!” Here, the two-subject bachelor's student writes about her experiences.

When interacting with first-year students, for example when advising them on their timetables for dual-subject bachelor's degrees, I often encounter highly motivated students who tend to overload their timetables with lectures or seminars. However, some of these are only intended for the second or even third semester. They also often ask whether it is possible to complete the degree program within the standard period of study. Don't get me wrong, I think it's totally commendable to approach your studies with such commitment and enthusiasm, and I recognize my first-semester self in these questions. But there's one thing I always find missing: the free time that everyone should use, in addition to lectures and seminars, to settle in, try things out, have fun, celebrate, and learn new and interdisciplinary things.

But I must also say that I only really learned to appreciate this during my studies. How wonderful it would be to study without financial pressure and not have to rush to finish your studies. In my opinion, studying is an excellent time to make lifelong friends and enjoy your youth to the fullest. But it's also a time to discover your own strengths and interests, to grow and develop. With mistakes, failed exams, and everything else that goes with it.

When I failed my first exam, I was so annoyed that I was on the verge of dropping out. I probably wouldn't have done it, but the thought crossed my mind. I thought, “You just can't do it, and maybe studying isn't the right thing for you after all!” Looking back, I have to smile a little, because as deeply as it affected me at the time, today I don't care at all and it couldn't be less relevant to my current life. 

Of course, it's unpleasant to fail exams, and I was lucky that it was only my first attempt at the time. But messing up one or two tests or exams doesn't make your studies more or less suitable, better or worse. You always learn something from such personal defeats—even if it's just the realization that you need to start studying earlier.

My expectations of myself have also decreased, not because I no longer care about anything, but because I have become more forgiving of myself. It took me a while to figure out how I learn best and how I can get something out of it for myself. As banal as it sounds, when I have the time and interest to engage with a topic, learning comes much easier to me and benefits me more for my upcoming exam. 

When I started my studies, I didn't really have any idea what you could do at university. Of course, I walked past lots of stands at the freshers' fair, but I was so excited and got so much information that I couldn't really take it all in. It took me weeks to realize how many opportunities and possibilities the university offers. Starting with the university groups and student councils, where every student can get involved. There seems to be a group for every area of interest, and if not, students can start a new group. I like the offerings from CampusPlus and Unisport, which distract you from the stress of lectures and offer a great opportunity to try new things.

Not to be forgotten are the various university events and parties that characterize student life. The university's offerings are rounded out by scientific lectures, key competency courses, workshops, student assistant jobs, language courses, and much more. I often wished I had more time to participate in all the things that interest me. 

What I'm interested in and what I'm not interested in has also changed during my studies. I've gained some interests that I hadn't paid any attention to before. On the other hand, I thought I was totally enthusiastic about a topic or a direction, which later turned out to be less interesting. In my opinion, university is the perfect time to broaden your horizons. This is what prompted me to change my subject combination after two semesters, even though that wasn't actually my plan. I had doubts about my studies throughout my time at university. Does that sound familiar? In my column about doubts about studying, I've compiled a list of things that helped me personally.

Fortunately, I was able to put my doubts aside during my studies, because I started the first semester with them too. German language and literature and educational science are not a common combination that I am studying with a view to a specific career. I wanted to have a broad base, but at the same time I was afraid of studying something that would be ‘unprofitable’. 

After eight semesters (and these won't be my last), I can already say that it wasn't just my subjects that qualified me to develop an individual professional profile, but above all the interdisciplinary offerings and opportunities that helped me. My involvement in the student council, my student assistant jobs, the university groups, workshops, and events made my time at university exciting and varied. At the same time, I learned many new skills and expanded old ones, acquired a lot of knowledge, tried new things, made mistakes, and turned my back on some interests. These are the things that stick in my mind when I think back on my time at university. 

My academic record so far? The idea I had of my studies as a freshman does not correspond exactly with the reality I have experienced. Instead of six semesters, I am still not finished, I am not a straight-A student as I would have liked to be, and I can no longer recite everything I have learned by heart. However, I can say that I have learned an incredible amount, including a lot about myself, had a great time at university, and now have a much better idea of what I can and cannot do. Above all, I no longer have any doubts and have some initial ideas about the direction my career could take in the future.

My personal insight is that most of the time, we don't even realize how much we have developed over time and how much we have already achieved. Relatively early on in my studies, I started two student assistant jobs, one at the Competence Center for Studies and Careers (KSB) and one in the University Communications department. During a reflective discussion with my bosses, I realized how much I had developed and how I had been able to grow over these three years thanks to my diverse range of tasks and the support of my employers. I hadn't expected this development, but I am very grateful for it.

Most of the time, things don't go as planned, but wouldn't that be terribly boring?