Providing even better support for students starting out at university - that was the wish of those responsible for the Bachelor's degree course in Protestant Theology and Religious Education and they launched a mentoring programme in 2011. An offer that many first-year students still take advantage of today.
"2011 was the year when, due to the introduction of the Abitur after eight years, two cohorts graduated at the same time and the first-year students were suddenly a year younger," recalls Sören Koselitz, research assistant in the Church History and Historical Theology department. He was one of the first mentors back then as a student - today he coordinates the programme. "We want to support students at the start of this new phase of their lives and help them to help themselves," he explains. The programme is well received: Between 100 and 120 new students take part in the programme every winter semester.
Even before the orientation week, there is an initial information meeting to which the new students are invited by letter. "Small groups often form and the students are happy to make their first contacts," says Master's student Ulrike Hackerott, who organises the mentors from the student side. But even those who only become aware of the programme later can easily join. A total of ten mentors are active in the programme as student assistants, each supervising a group of around ten first-year students. The students usually look for a mentor who is studying the same second subject, explains Hackerott.
Mentors meet monthly
At regular meetings, topics such as timetabling, examination regulations and an introduction to academic work are on the programme. However, the mentors are also open to individual questions and problems. "Some have specific questions about certain examinations, others have very general questions - such as what you need to consider when applying for a Bafög proposal," explains Koselitz. At a monthly service meeting, the mentors discuss current concerns and problems and share their own experiences with their colleagues. They also organise activities that are open to all participants, such as courses from the learning workshop of the Central Study and Career Counselling Service or a joint visit to the Christmas market.
Ulrike Hackerott took part in the programme herself as a Bachelor's student and still has fond memories of it today. What she particularly appreciates about being a mentor is that she always gets to meet new students: "You can help them and get very positive re-registering students." The evaluations they carry out at the end of each round also confirm that the programme is well received, adds Koselitz. He himself also looks back fondly on his time as a mentor: "As I was also a member of the student body, at some point I knew my way around the university structures very well. You've read the examination regulations ten times and know the tricks you have to follow - that helps you too."
In the 2018/2019 winter semester, the first event will take place on Thursday, 4 October.
