Studying can take its toll on both body and mind. The Student Health Management service therefore aims to make everyday university life healthier by offering support for studying and teaching.
Sitting for hours on end, hunched over books and tablets, cramming for the next written exam and feeling the pressure of an ever-looming deadline: many students are familiar with moments like these. Some cling to the thought that every exam period comes to an end, whilst others don’t know how to motivate themselves to study and end up procrastinating. Both, consciously or unconsciously, lead to mental or physical stress. This, in turn, can make you ill.
This is precisely where the ‘Healthy Teaching and Learning at the UOL’ project comes in. In the 2026/27 winter semester, the Student Health Management (SGM) and the Central University Sports Service (HSP) are offering a range of activities for students and teaching staff: Students can take part in workshops and exercise programmes focusing on topics such as mindfulness, concentration, recovery and physical activity in everyday student life. For teaching staff, resources are provided to help them make their courses more active and mindful. The aim is to support the teaching and learning environment in such a way that health is not merely considered but actively practised as part of everyday student life.
Bringing dynamism to everyday university life
Physical activity must take place where students are already spending their time, says Dr Tim Wohlann, a sports scientist and Head of Student Health Management. This brings teaching to the fore as a central anchor. To incorporate more physical activity into courses, the SGM offers training opportunities for lecturers who wish to make their teaching more physically active.
In two workshops, each lasting three and a half hours, they can learn how to incorporate physical activity and mindfulness into their sessions. Wohlann and Dr Imke Aits, a research assistant in the Division of General Practice at the Department of Health Services Research, focus on practical methods.
On 18 November, in the ‘Active Teaching’ workshop, Wohlann will teach participants how physical activity influences attention and thinking. They will develop methods and ideas to incorporate more physical activity into their courses.
In the ‘Mindful Teaching’ workshop on 25 November, Aits will demonstrate how lecturers can create a supportive atmosphere in their sessions in which students can concentrate more effectively. Participants will develop methods they can use in face-to-face, online and hybrid sessions.
As well as the health benefits for students, lecturers themselves also stand to gain. “Physical activity not only promotes students’ health, but also their concentration, cognitive performance and well-being,” says Wohlann. This can have a positive impact on attendance rates, student engagement and exam results. Furthermore, lecturers can have their participation in both seminars counted towards the ‘Higher Education Teaching Qualification’ certificate.
Making progress with helpful tips
Students can also take part in workshops and hands-on activities. The programme kicks off with a talk on procrastination on 27 October. It will explore why people put off tasks and which methods can help combat this.
Subsequent workshops will explore the topics of back health and effective study breaks. Another session focuses on concentration in everyday life and explains how to improve focus despite frequent media consumption.
Registration for all events is available via Stud.IP. Participation is free of charge.
Study breaks during the exam period
From 11 January to 12 February 2027, the SGM is offering a five-week study break programme. “Here, we focus even more on the topics of conscious relaxation and active exercise. Both help to clear your head from time to time during the exam period,” says Wohlann. Alongside yoga, movement games and other activities, various relaxation sessions are planned. The full programme will be published on the SGM website in a few weeks’ time.
