Should I take a course in self-management or one in reading techniques? A yoga class to relax or a writing seminar to finally get to work on my master’s thesis? Students can choose from many options this upcoming semester as well. Almost a thousand students participate in Studierwerkstatt courses every year. And not just because of the credit points. “Many take their first course because they can get credit for it – and come back for another because they notice that our services aid them in their degree program,” says Gabi Meihswinkel, lecturer and member of the five-person Studierwerkstatt team.

A Shopping Cart Full of Teaching Materials

In 1999, there was already a great need for support in studying. Sylvia Schubert-Henning, then an employee of the Psychological Counselling Centre, became aware of this through countless conversations with students. These conversations were about not only couple’s conflicts, fears for the future, or parental disputes, but also about the never-ending task of writing a master’s thesis, or procrastination before the next exam. Schubert-Henning offered courses for these students, but at the same time looked for a different format to address such challenges. Together with Christina Vocke, who was head of the Department of Student Affairs at the time, she set up the Studierwerkstatt: a point of contact for students to learn, apply, and increase their study, work, and relaxation skills. In short, a place to learn and practice the art of studying. Schubert-Henning led the Studierwerkstatt from 1999 until her retirement in 2020. Since then, the course content of the Studierwerkstatt has been the responsibility of the team, in consultation with Christina Vocke.

The courses have always been in high demand. Kerstin Dittmer, Studierwerkstatt administrative assistant since 1999, remembers: “At the beginning, Sylvia Schubert-Henning held many of the seminars herself. We often saw her walk across campus to the lecture rooms with a shopping cart full of handouts, books, posters for flipcharts, and slides for the overhead projector.” As the demand for courses became greater and more varied, the team grew as well. Today the Studierwerkstatt team consists of three permanent lecturers – Gabi Meihswinkel, Alena Cicholewski, and Jörg Riedel – in addition to 14 external lecturers. Kerstin Dittmer and Petra Girolami are responsible for the ever-growing organizational and administrative tasks. They are usually the first point of contact for students looking for suitable classes.

How Students Helped Each Other during the Pandemic

Students from different semesters and subjects should learn from each other and with each other – this has been a consistent objective through the entire history of the Studierwerkstatt. Many other things changed, such as the introduction of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the turn of the millennium. “The students had less time than before, the degrees became more structured and compact,” says Studierwerkstatt lecturer Jörg Riedel. This was one reason for an uptick in interest in the courses offered. Another reason for an increase in the number of participants was that the students received credit points for completing courses.

At the same time, the digital age was changing the degree programs. Few students had their own computer or laptop in 1999, but ten years later, this was commonplace. A good ten years later, in 2020, digital tools and formats became essential. With the COVID outbreak in Germany, all courses went from in-person to online only from one day to the next. The Studierwerkstatt team also moved its courses online and adapted existing formats. As part of a peer-to-peer service, students were trained to assist other students by giving individual coaching sessions. “Especially in times when personal contacts were rare, this was a valuable help for many students,” Jörg Riedel sums up.

Agile Learning Circles: Reaching Goals Together

As digitalization has progressed over the past 25 years, the university has also become increasingly international. English-language bachelor’s and master’s programs attract students from all over the world who come to the university with their own questions. “In many countries, it is not customary to create your own course schedule or freely choose the topic for a term paper,” explains Alena Cicholewski. She explains these features in special courses for international students. Workshops on presentation techniques or scientific publishing are now available in English as well. German students also often take part in such courses. “A nice side effect is that German and international students get to know each other this way,” says Cicholewski.

In general, the Studierwerkstatt’s services live from the contacts between the students. This is particularly evident in the agile learning circles that Gabi Meihswinkel supervises. In these circles, groups of four students meet every 14 days. They begin by each stating an individual goal, from writing a term paper to improving their time management skills. Over the course of a semester, they report on their successes and failures, give each other tips, and each plan their next steps. If needed, Gabi Meihswinkel assists the students, for example with providing material on learning techniques or writing reports. However, she soon notices that students contact her much more seldom that she expected. “As teachers, we want students to learn independently and for us to become superfluous. But when this happens, it is always a weird feeling,” she laughs.

One look at the schedule for the upcoming semester reveals that her concern of being unneeded is unmerited: Students can choose from 82 classes this winter semester, with workshops on academic and ethical interaction with AI and its use in research or academic writing. There are many courses for first-year students as well. “Learning self-management is a big challenge for many beginning students,” says administrative assistant Petra Girolami. “We are there to help in cases such as these. You are always welcome to stop by!”