It is not uncommon for students to have doubts about their choice of degree programme. Affected students will receive professional guidance at the digital theme days "Study Doubts", which will take place from 21 to 23 January. As part of the joint project "Campus OWL - Chancen bei Studienzweifel und Studienausstieg" (Campus OWL - Opportunities in case of study doubts and dropping out), the Central Student Counselling Centres and Career Services of the OWL universities are inviting students in search of their "Plan B" to attend. On Thursday, 23 January, students will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the individual counselling services offered by the individual universities in a personal meeting on site. The offer is aimed at students of all disciplines at the four participating universities: Paderborn University, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (TH OWL).
"One of the biggest challenges is having to reorient yourself when you start having doubts about your choice of degree programme," says Katrin Wöltje from the Career Service at Bielefeld University. A reorientation can lead to very different outcomes: a change of subject area or university, dropping out or continuing the degree programme. The theme days offer students the opportunity to obtain detailed information and advice from experts when making this decision.
In addition to the Central Student Advice Centres and Career Services of the four OWL universities, the Chamber of Crafts Ostwestfalen-Lippe zu Bielefeld, the Paderborn-Lippe and Höxter-Warburg District Crafts Associations, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce Ostwestfalen zu Bielefeld and Lippe zu Detmold and the Employment Agencies Bielefeld, Paderborn, Detmold and Höxter are also taking part. The v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel, myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH and Paderborn Student Services are also represented.
Input from drop-outs and labour market experts
In lectures and workshops, participants will receive a wide range of input on the topic of doubts about studying. "Some of them involve young people who themselves had doubts about their studies and dropped out or changed their course as a result. They share their personal experiences with the participants and can give helpful tips for those who are currently having doubts," explains Katharina Heiming, student counsellor at Paderborn University's Student Advice Centre. The topic of student financing will also be addressed. "A common reason for dropping out of university is a lack of financial security," says Sophia Lehmann, student counsellor at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.
In an event with Stefanie Kirwald from myAbility, who has been living and working with a chronic diagnosis for 20 years, there will be space to discuss questions about studying with an impairment. "For students with a visible or invisible disability and/or chronic (mental) illness, the question often arises as to whether and when it makes sense to proactively bring up their own impairment in the application process," says Alexandra Schlothfeldt from the TH OWL Career Service.
The complete programme, the universities' individual advisory services and further information can be found at go.upb.de/thementage. It is not necessary to register for the events. The access links will be available on the website on the respective day at the latest.
Campus OWL joint project
The four universities in OWL have been working together successfully since 2017 in the joint project "Campus OWL - Chancen bei Studienzweifel und Studienausstieg". They are developing joint information and event formats and are in close dialogue with each other and their cooperation partners. In this way, a cooperative counselling and placement system has been created to facilitate the change of subject area and university or the change to the training system within the OWL region.
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