Making everyday university life easier with little tips

Ann-Kathrin, why are you involved in the Talent Network and why do you take part in the network meetings?
I think it's great how diverse this network is. You meet people from very different disciplines and can exchange ideas. What I find particularly exciting is that as a TU Guide, I come into contact with the students, show them around the campus and can advise them directly.

You are a first-time graduate. Was it always clear to you that you wanted to study?
Yes, actually. I did my Abitur at a comprehensive school and said to myself early on: if I already have my Abitur, then I also want to study. My older brother, who is also studying here, was very supportive. He was a kind of "academic mentor" and explained and helped me a lot, especially at the beginning.

What challenges did you face at the beginning of your studies?
Above all, self-management at the end of the semester. I first had to find out what I really needed to learn for the exams and what the lecturers were particularly interested in. You don't even know them at the beginning and don't know what they focus on. That was new for me because I suddenly had to decide for myself which content was relevant - and which was not.

How did you decide to become a TU Guide?
I represented our Sociology student council at the "Night of Advice". Emily from the TU Guide team approached me there and was thrilled to have someone from sociology on board. I thought to myself: "That fits - I want to make sociology more visible as a degree course."

What is the best thing about your work as a TU Guide?
I love taking away the awe of the campus from prospective students. At first, many look at the buildings and think: "How am I ever going to find my way around here?" When I then show them our little "tricks" - for example, how the rooms are sorted by floor and block numbers - I really see how they can understand the system here and find their way around. And it's precisely this "aha" experience that I always enjoy.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are still unsure whether a degree course is right for them?
Get an overview first - what subjects are there? You should also look beyond the classics such as business studies, law, psychology and so on. And then simply have the courage to give it a try. If you find that a course doesn't suit you after all, you can change or start from scratch. There's nothing wrong with that at all.