FIT for Job Applications  

Tuesday, 1.10. 1:00-3:00 PM (Room: I3.203)
Wednesday, 2.10., 1:00-3:00 PM & Friday 4.10., 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Room: I3.413)

This workshop is designed to provide insight into different application styles and job advertisement formats, accompanied by the first steps of a job interview.
On the first day, we will focus on job advertisements. How do I identify what is expected of me, what is desired, and which job posting suits me? We will also analyze cover letters, motivation letters, speculative applications, and CVs on a content, structural, and formal level to prepare our own applications on the second day.
The third day is dedicated to final corrections of your application documents as well as simulated job interviews.
You don't need to bring any materials. Vocabulary and phrases will be worked out on-site.

FIT for Everyday University Life

FIT for Everyday University Life I
Tuesday, 15.10., 2:00-6:00 PM & Thursday, 17.10., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: I4.413

FIT for Everyday University Life II
Tuesday, 5.11., 2:00-6:00 PM & Thursday, 7.11., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: TBA, possibly online (Zoom)

Successful studying can mean many things, such as having exciting experiences, preparing for an interesting career, or testing and developing your own abilities. It can be hard to keep track of everything. In this workshop, you'll get an overview of various areas of university life, including:

• Campus orientation: Where can I find good places to study, the best coffee, or support with questions? What sports, cultural, and social activities are available at the university?
• Self- and time management: When am I most productive, and when should I take breaks? How and when should I study for exams, read academic literature, and improve my language skills?
• Academic work: What does it really mean to study for an exam? How do I handle academic terms and text types correctly? And how can I write good texts myself?

The goal of the workshop is to make the transition to studying at the University of Paderborn easier. Through input from workshop leaders, you'll gain orientation knowledge, work in small groups to develop strategies for a successful start to university life, and discuss typical everyday situations at a university.

FIT for Emails and Office Hours

Date: TBA
Room: TBA

Throughout your studies, communication with lecturers is essential. Whether for organizational questions, preparing a presentation, or writing a term paper, emails and office hours allow you to get direct information, feedback, and support from the people best suited to help.
In this workshop, you will learn:

• How to write polite, readable emails to get valuable feedback, targeted support, and the information you need.
• How to prepare for office hours to make the most of the time with your lecturers.
• When it's enough to send an email and when it's worth attending an office hour.

Through concrete examples, you'll practice reading and writing emails. You'll gain insights into common practices at universities and helpful tips on how to use emails and office hours effectively in your studies.

FIT for Exams

Tuesday, 19.11., 2:00-6:00 PM & Thursday, 21.11., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: TBA, possibly online (Zoom)

Exams are a core component of every study program and often crucial for success in a course. However, exams can differ greatly depending on the field of study (e.g., German literature vs. mechanical engineering), course type (e.g., seminar or lecture), and stage of your studies (introductory course or advanced module). In this workshop, you will learn:

• How to determine what is likely to be on an exam (both linguistically and academically).
• How to prepare for an exam throughout the semester.
• How to prevent exam stress or anxiety and confidently approach the exam period.

Through concrete examples, this workshop will provide an overview of typical exam formats at German universities and the types of texts and writing tasks that appear in them. You'll also practice assessing your own strengths and weaknesses in self- and time management, learning strategies, linguistic and academic abilities, and knowledge of the course material to develop a plan for successful preparation.

FIT for Oral Exams

Friday, 25.10., 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Paderborn, Friday, 15.11., 10:00 AM-1:00 PM online via Zoom
Friday, 29.11., 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Paderborn
Room: TBA

Course description to follow.

FIT in Using AI

Wednesday, 18.12., 1:00-4:00 PM & Thursday, 19.12., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: TBA

Artificial Intelligence as a Boost for Learning German
In this workshop, international students will learn how to effectively and practically integrate generative artificial intelligence into their learning process. The strengths and limitations of AI in the context of learning German will be discussed to help students use the technology effectively for different communication goals.

The workshop offers practical approaches to make learning German easier and more supportive, whether for quick assistance or the development of long-term, individualized learning strategies. A special focus will be on supporting academic writing. Students will learn how to use AI tools to improve their writing skills – from structuring formal texts to developing clear arguments and enhancing linguistic precision.
In addition, the multimodality of AI will be utilized to train all language skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – both individually and in combination. Students will also learn how to effectively integrate AI’s multilingual capabilities into their language work.
Another focus will be on the voice function, which allows students to simulate realistic conversations, improve pronunciation, and practice linguistic and communicative appropriateness in various contexts.

Kompaktformate 2025

Writing Theses I

Tuesday, 28.01., 2:00-6:00 PM & Thursday, 30.01., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: TBA

Writing Theses II

Tuesday, 11.03., 2:00-6:00 PM & Thursday, 13.03., 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00-4:00 PM
Room: TBA

Course description to follow.