Semester start ABC: From registration deadline to ZSB
Hello, dear freshmen! Well, have you come across a few strange terms that you haven't been able to use at all? Don't worry, we all felt the same way at the beginning. But that's what we're here for: We've picked out the usual suspects when it comes to "confusion" and created a semester start ABC for you that should make your first semester a little easier. So that you can find your way around easily, we have arranged everything alphabetically - no long speech, let's get started!
Registration deadline
This topic will accompany you throughout your studies. There are registration deadlines all the time and for everything, but you shouldn't miss them under any circumstances - fortunately, some universities handle this very transparently, while others tend to disguise their deadlines. For example, there is the registration deadline for seminars at the beginning of the semester or the registration deadline for your exams, which usually opens in the middle of the semester and closes again shortly before the exam phase. Most of the time you get to know the respective dates along the way - for example through fellow students or tips from the professor. To be on the safe side, you can also easily find out these dates via your university's website - Google is your best friend in this case!
Accreditation
The accreditation of the study programs is a result of the Bologna process. Their goal is, among other things, to be able to ensure international comparisons between teaching institutions such as universities or technical colleges. In addition, accreditation is intended to ensure the general quality of the studies, the individual courses and the teaching in general.
library
Oh yes, the bib. Some people hate them, others love them - here people write homework, desperately bang on the keys to hand in the work before the deadline, or simply borrow useful books for their studies. You usually need an extra library card, which you can easily have issued at reception before your first loan. This usually gives you the opportunity to reserve the books you want online.
credit points
Your exam performance is measured at the university by so-called credit points. The more credit points a subject earns you, the more the grade entered counts towards the overall average. At the beginning of your studies, you will usually receive an overview of how many points you should take per semester for your respective department. For example, if 18 points have to be taken in the main subject and the distribution is up to you, then you can combine those subjects from your subject area that will ultimately earn you this number of credit points. For example, 3 x 6 points, or 1 x 9 plus 1 x 3 plus 1 x 6 points. Of course, you can also earn more points - at the end of your studies you should have a total of 180 points. The subjects that need to be taken are often predetermined and you don't have to struggle with the selection.
Choice of subjects
Your choice of subject is closely related to your credit points. In some courses, such as the humanities, you have a lot of freedom here. I can give you some advice from my own experience: set your focus as early as possible. This way, future employers or those who sit across from you at the interview for an internship will quickly see what you are passionate about. It is also easier for you to specialize in a certain area: the sooner you know what you enjoy, the faster you will become a professional in this area and can also design your bachelor's thesis accordingly.
Student Council
There is also a student council for each department. This consists of young people who are also still studying for a bachelor's or master's degree in the respective department and are therefore familiar with the circumstances and small, typical student problems. The student council also organizes cool and useful events such as the freshmen pub crawl or interesting seminars, workshops or readings by interesting personalities. If you get stuck somewhere and need urgent help: the student council is always the right person to contact and will help you find them quickly.
Learn
...must be. Unfortunately. You'll quickly notice: The motivated resolutions "I'll start early this semester" will be thrown out the window faster than you can say "exam phase". Nevertheless: Before you get down to business, go through all the lectures and slides thoroughly again, then you'll have a good chance. Get our tips on how to learn properly.
Moodle
Moodle is the name of the online platform on which many universities upload their slides, offer short tests to check performance or entire online courses and subjects; grades are also often viewed via Moodle. At the beginning of your studies, you will be given access to this platform, which you can and should then use to prepare for exams, view course content and grades, or practice.
Numerus Clausus
The Numerus Clausus, better known as "NC" or "admission restriction", provides information about where the capacity-related limit is for a specific course of study at a specific university in a specific semester. It is often incorrectly assumed that the NC is the same every semester - but in fact it depends on how many people apply for a course of study and what the grades of these applicants look like. This means: Even if you see your course of study at your dream university as a long way off because the NC is too high - definitely apply. You never know what this semester will look like. And if you don't try, you have no chance at all, or what was that like?
Examination Office
The examination office is responsible for managing students' examination achievements, which means: The examination office enters your examination achievements into the system, creates your final certificate, manages exam de-registration and registration and much more that is related to examination achievements. So if you have problems registering for an exam or would like to obtain information about a certain exam that your professor cannot answer for you, the examination office is the right place to go. Psst: Be prepared to often have to jump back and forth from the examination office to the ZSB, as the areas of responsibility of both institutions overlap in some respects.
Exam anxiety
A less nice but still important point: exam anxiety. It's completely normal that, as a first-year student, you're really nervous about the first exam phase - what's in store for the students, can I handle it, do I even want it? But don't worry: with practice and hard work, you'll be able to pass your exams with good grades. The tasks are created by your professor or lecturer, who prepares you for the exam throughout the semester. The slides are usually uploaded and you can prepare or rework what you have learned at home. By the way: We have a few tips on how you can overcome your fear of exams .
Scholarships
A scholarship is an excellent opportunity to receive a bit of financial and moral support as part of your course of study. Depending on the scholarship and scholarship type, you will receive a monthly financial injection for university materials, seminars and workshops and access to online databases and materials to provide you with knowledge about your subject area. You also benefit from an excellent network and important contacts. You can apply via the provider's respective website - usually either completely online or with a subsequent selection interview for which you have to be there in person.
Change of course
Oops - somehow your course of study isn't right for you? It's good if you recognize that now! The sooner you are clear about what you really want and what expectations you have for your future job, the better. Only a few are lucky enough to land their dream course of study the first time they hit it - God knows you're not alone if you decide to change your course of study. If it comes to this point, the Central Student Advisory Service (Psst: you can find information about this further down in the text!) is your contact and will support you in choosing your desired course of study. Here you will also find out which steps you need to take and what happens next.
ZHS
ZHS is the abbreviation for “central university sports” and is a really good thing. Here you get the opportunity to do sports for little money - in many ways. The program looks different from university to university, and the cost also varies depending on the university. But they all have one thing in common: the ZHS is significantly cheaper than a gym, you only pay once and then have peace of mind for six months, and the program is usually an absolute burner. From aerobics to kickboxing, swimming, cheerleading, rugby and much more, you can actually experience everything here - and all for a reasonable all-inclusive price. So, get your study friends together and get active together!
ZSB
ZSB is also an abbreviation that you will come across more often during your studies. This is the "central student advisory service" that will be available to answer your questions if you don't know what to do next. This is often the case, for example, if you want to have credit points credited (if, for example, you have already started studying elsewhere and want to transfer the points you have earned) or if you want to apply for a change of minor.
Registration deadline, ZHS, credit points - huh? If you only understand the train station so far, our semester start ABC will help you out!
