Offers for students

Science subjects are popular at the University of Münster and have a lot to offer. However, it is well known that drop-out rates in science subjects are high throughout Germany. There are various reasons for this. Especially in the introductory phase of their studies, many students are faced with new and high demands. In our experience, in addition to subject-related difficulties, difficulties in self-organization and self-control are often reasons why students cannot keep up with their workload. For example, they may have problems with regularly completing their exercise sheets and lose touch early on. This can lead to demoralization, performance problems, a high perceived study load and even dropping out.

Our special “STEM.projekt” offer is aimed in particular at students in their first three Bachelor's semesters. After an orientation and in-depth discussion and diagnosis of the issue, we offer individual counseling and group training.

In detail, we have the following offers for students in the STEM.projekt:

Self-test

In a 30-minute German self-test, you can have your own procrastination behavior assessed anonymously online. There is immediate feedback and, if necessary, recommendations as to which further steps would be useful.

STEM.advice

In specific individual and group counseling sessions, the respective problems in connection with procrastination and other work disorders are worked on in approx. 5 sessions. Appropriately trained therapists provide support on topics such as “strategies against procrastination”, “problems with study groups”, “lack of motivation”, “personal study organization” or “thoughts of dropping out”.

Further information and registrations can be made by telephone on 0251-83-31344 or mint.projekt@uni-muenster.de. We look forward to hearing from you!

Offers for lecturers, advisors and colleagues

In addition to specific offers and measures for students, we are also active in the area of prevention and education on the subject of procrastination and study organization. Here are some examples of our current projects for lecturers, advisors and colleagues:

Mentoring workshops

We offer support for mentors and tutors who would like preparation in their work with regard to “conducting conversations”, “problem exploration” or “dealing with difficult situations” in mentoring or tutoring. After all, mentors, for example, are often confronted with their mentees' interdisciplinary concerns. We are happy to provide preparatory and advisory support.

Pre-courses

In 2015, we were active in the preliminary mathematics courses for the first time: in addition to the excellent subject-specific preparation by lecturers from the Department of Mathematics, we implemented an interdisciplinary section on “self-management”. It was about “study orientation”, “learning and working strategies” and a “smooth” start to your studies so that you can be successful - and feel good to boot. The feedback from the participating students was very positive, which is why we want to expand the project further.

Information events

We present our services at numerous university events and offer to support lecturers who want to integrate the topic into their courses.

Research

In a survey, we investigated the behavior of students preparing for exams in the first 3 semesters in order to optimize our services. Numerous students (N=913, response rates of up to 96%) took part in our questionnaire surveys in summer 2014 and 2015. All lecturers who were asked were willing to support the study.

Cooperation

•   We cooperate with the student councils of the relevant subjects and are present with our offer during the O-weeks, for example.
•  We work together with those responsible from the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science in a mentoring program and support the preliminary courses.
•  In cooperation with the Center for Teacher Education (ZfL), we are working on the topic of “learning groups”: In the winter semester 2015/16, a group offer for mathematics teacher training students (GHR) was made for the first time, which focused on group formation and successful group work.
• We are in regular contact with the departmental student advisors in order to coordinate the services offered to students and provide targeted support as quickly as possible in individual cases. Of course, maintaining confidentiality always remains our top priority.

Are you interested in further information, a presentation from us at one of your events or a collegial exchange?  Then we look forward to hearing from you! You can do this by telephone on 0251-83-31344 or by e-mail to mint.projekt@uni-muenster.de.