From school to lecture hall: is studying the right thing for you?

Should I study or do something else?Which course suits me?And what comes afterwards?Shortly before graduation, Katrin Kuhnert, Head of the Student Service Center at RPTU in Kaiserslautern, and Miriam Jungheim, Head of the Central Student Advisory Service at RPTU, hear countless questions like these.We got the answers from the two advisors to the most frequently asked questions before starting a degree course.

How do I actually know whether studying at university is right for me?

Katrin Kuhnert: Are you interested in knowing how the world works? Or do you want to teach young people something? Then studying at a university could be just the right thing for you. You should be aware that after completing a degree at a university, you will have the highest educational qualification in your pocket. Accordingly, there is a lot of material to learn - but the effort is worth it! You will gain comprehensive specialist knowledge, acquire problem-solving skills and have a wide range of opportunities on the job market after graduation.

The transition from school to university worries me.How is learning different during your studies?

Miriam Jungheim: At school, the learning material is already pre-structured, for example by timetables and teachers. At university, you are responsible for your own learning and organization. However, this also gives you more freedom in terms of organization.

Katrin Kuhnert: Freedom is an important keyword, freedom and independence. To a certain extent, you are free to choose the content of your studies and define your own specialization. If you want to go abroad during your studies, that's no problem either. One university offers you the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at a partner university. You didn't have that much freedom at school before and it's a unique experience.

Miriam Jungheim: And you grow beyond yourself! You develop your personality through your student involvement, for example in university sports, environmental protection, university politics or other university groups.

But there are so many degree courses!How do I find the right course for my interests and goals?

Katrin Kuhnert: It's best to take a two-pronged approach. Firstly, it's important to get an overview of the different subjects. For example, take a look at the RPTU course overview page. There you will find an overview of the degree programs you can study at our university. On the other hand, you should ask yourself: What suits me? What are my interests, strengths and skills? Talk to your family, your friends or your teachers. Ask them what they studied and what careers might be open to them after graduation.

Miriam Jungheim: The Central Student Advisory Service and the Student Service Center can also help you find your way around. For example, you can find out which degree courses might suit your interests through workshops or individual study advice. You will also find out how you can make a study decision that is right for you.

There are over 160 degree programs at RPTU.What is the focus in Landau and Kaiserslautern?

Miriam Jungheim: In Landau, you will find our teacher training courses as well as environmental sciences, educational sciences, cultural and social sciences and psychology. There are also interdisciplinary courses such as “People and the Environment: Psychology, Communication, Economics”. Here, environmental topics are combined with psychology, communication and economic aspects.

Katrin Kuhnert: In Kaiserslautern, the focus is on STEM subjects. We are very well positioned in the technical and scientific subjects and are also very strong in research. There are also many scientific institutes in the vicinity of the university. Some students work there and at the university in research alongside their studies. There are also the subjects of architecture and economics as well as the interdisciplinary Integrative Social Sciences course. In addition to social sciences, you also study subjects such as technology and economics.

I'm not quite sure what I want to study yet.Can I get an idea of everyday university life at RPTU in advance?

Katrin Kuhnert: Yes, of course! We have the RPTUzero orientation program. If you have a high school diploma and have not previously been enrolled at another university, you can get an insight into various subject areas for one semester. The orientation course starts in the summer semester. It is a good way to find out whether you feel comfortable at our university. If you want, you can even take exams and have them credited to your degree course later.

You have aroused my interest in studying at RPTU.What should I bring with me to get off to a flying start?

Miriam Jungheim: Curiosity, interest and openness are very important. Studying at university means acquiring new content yourself and organizing your learning independently. The subject matter at university is very demanding, but you should also want to work precisely. If you enjoy learning new things and want to organize your everyday life and learning yourself, then university is the right place for you!

Katrin Kuhnert: There can be ups and downs during your studies - and that's completely normal. But you are part of a community in which many people feel the same way as you do. You can help each other by forming study groups, for example. RPTU also offers various counseling services for personal concerns: from changing degree programs to doubts about studying to mental health. Don't be shy and talk about your thoughts.

And how can I apply for a place?

Miriam Jungheim: There are fixed application periods for the summer and winter semesters. You can find these and the application portal on our website. The portal explains what information we need and what documents you need to submit. For degree courses with restricted admission, there is sometimes a nationwide coordinated distribution of places. You can find more information about applying on our website - or get in touch with us and ask us your individual questions.

What are my career prospects after studying at RPTU?

Miriam Jungheim: The career prospects after a degree in teaching or psychology are currently very good. Due to the increasing presence of climate mathematics, environmental subjects also have good prospects. Our subjects have an interdisciplinary structure and are therefore in demand on the job market. Because in order to tackle the challenges facing society, you have to be able to think and act in an interdisciplinary way.

Katrin Kuhnert: And the career prospects in STEM subjects are also very good at the moment. However, I generally recommend studying what you enjoy and a subject that you are interested in.

Text: Lisa Buu