From RPTUzero to mechanical engineering: orientation semester brings clarity

"There were four of us standing around a huge engine, we had to take it apart and put it back together again," enthuses Mark Decker, now a fourth semester mechanical engineering student. However, he disassembled the engine into its individual parts and put it back together again before that - before his semesters, in semester zero.

"Another time, we were given a gearbox kit and were allowed to try out whether we could get it to work properly," he continues. Mark Decker was enrolled for one semester, but not for a specific subject. He was a participant in RPTUzero, the orientation program at RPTU. This program is aimed at all prospective students who are not sure whether the university world is what they are looking for or, for example, do not yet want to decide which subject is right for them.

"RPTUzero was just the right thing for me," Mark sums up. Even at primary school age, he was fascinated by everything technical. From printers to steam engines. Whenever there was something to solder, his eyes would light up. "It was clear to me that I wanted to study something technical. But I couldn't really make up my mind." So he enrolled on the orientation course at RPTU.

Passed exams can be credited

A manageable group of trial students started university life with him in semester zero. "The support and the courses on offer were really well thought out." First of all, there were introductory days on which, in addition to campus tours and detailed explanations about university life, there were also Q&A sessions on the individual subjects. And then it started: during RPTUzero, every Zeronist has a free choice. They can attend seminars or lectures from any department - without restrictions. A little mechanical engineering, a little biology. "The big advantage is that if you decide on a subject after RPTUzero, exams or internships you've passed can be credited towards your degree - provided the subject matches," explains Mark, explaining why he was able to enjoy a little more free time during his Bachelor's degree than others. He passed two exams with zero marks in his semester: Advanced Mathematics I and Engineering Mechanics I.

Stay in touch: support through semester zero

"The overall support during RPTUzero is really something special," emphasizes the mechanical engineering student. There were regular reflection meetings and workshops on various topics, such as learning methods. At the end, all the Zeronists met again for a joint graduation. "After RPTUzero, I had the feeling that I knew university life. And above all, I already know other students. This made it really easy to start studying mechanical engineering."

The orientation semester was the right way for him to start university life: getting to know all the departments, no time wasted, no pressure, intensive supervision and complete freedom in choosing subjects. "It also took the pressure off me during my first exams because I knew that this semester was like a free pass. If I had failed, I would still have been well prepared for further studies." When he started studying mechanical engineering, Mark was not only well prepared, sure of what he wanted, but also well oriented: "With RPTUzero, I was able to skip all the usual difficulties at the beginning of my studies. I would do it again at any time," concludes Mark.

And even now, in the regular mechanical engineering degree course, things are continuing in a practical way: "Studying at RPTU is very tangible, as theoretical knowledge is optimally combined with regular practical exercises and project work." The orientation semester not only made it easier for him to get started, but also showed him that theory and practice go hand in hand at RPTU. "As a result, I feel well prepared for starting a career later on: I will not only be a mechanical engineer in theory, but will also have practical and application-oriented knowledge."