For the third time, universities in North Rhine-Westphalia are organizing the "Supraregional Theme Days on Study Doubts" as part of the Next Career project - this time even as a theme month. In May, students can obtain information digitally and free of charge on topics such as changing majors and universities, starting over, alternative career paths and career orientation. The series of events is an offer of help to students from NRW who are questioning their choice of study.
The 19 initiators of the theme days have set up a four-week NRW-wide online program. The program is aimed at students who have doubts about their studies, those who are changing majors, and students who are seriously considering leaving their studies without a degree. In the more than 20 events, interested parties learn, among other things, what they can do in situations of upheaval, where they should even start and whom they can turn to.
The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR), for example, is offering a short workshop entitled "Am I in the right place here?" on May 8th. From 1 to about 3:15 p.m., Désirée Krüger, a coach for study doubts and dropouts, will work online with participants on their study doubts and a Plan B, as well as explain possible support services.
On May 10th, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the focus will be on "Identifying Resources." Under the guidance of coach Silke Neuhaus from the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), participants will learn to discover their own potential and strengths - without having to share them or discuss them publicly. The HSRW is leading the NEXT STEP niederrhein project together with the HSNR.
Universities want to break taboos
Questioning one's own studies is something many young people are familiar with. At the same time, doubts and thoughts of dropping out are still a taboo subject in society. The participating universities from NRW want to break this taboo. Organized as part of the supra-regional support program "Next Career" and financed by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW), the universities are sending out a signal against the stigma of doubt and "failure" with this series of events. After all, there are many different reasons why students question their decision to pursue studies and sometimes turn in a completely new direction. In addition, the series wants to show that doubts can also offer a new opportunity.
NEXT STEP niederrhein, the study doubt project on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, for example, offers a list of companies on which dropouts can find apprenticeships for which a dropout in the curriculum vitae is an opportunity.
Sustainable offer of help for students
This is the third time that the project coordinators at the universities have initiated the theme weeks - a sign that the format has become established. The universities have now reached over a thousand young people with their wide range of support services.
Information, registration and program of the theme days:https://nextcareer.de/thementage_studienzweifel/ as well as on the homepages of the participating projects and universities.
Participating universities:
RWTH Aachen University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Bielefeld University, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, University of Cologne, TH Köln, Münster University of Applied Sciences, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences, Paderborn University of Applied Sciences, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Siegen University, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Bergische Universität Wuppertal.
