Discover new paths with the talent network

Anna Privalov studies sociology at TU Dortmund University and took part in the "Paint & Talk" talent network meeting for the first time in spring 2025. In this interview, she explains why it is so important for her to interact with other students, how she organizes her everyday life at university despite her ADHD diagnosis and why she doesn't think changing subjects is the end of the world.
Anna, what did you gain from the "Paint & Talk" talent network meeting?
I was totally surprised at how open the format was. This meeting made me realize that there are a lot more offers at the university that I didn't even know about before. It was also nice to see how you can network with people from very different disciplines.
Was it always clear to you that you wanted to study?
Actually, yes. At grammar school, studying is often the big goal without you really questioning it. For me, it was also a personal desire - I really wanted to go to university.
What challenges did you face at the beginning of your studies?
Self-management was particularly difficult. It wasn't easy for me to decide which courses and events I actually had to attend when attendance wasn't compulsory. I was later diagnosed with ADHD, which made everyday life even more complex. I then had to learn all the more how to manage my time sensibly.
How did you find support?
My partner helped me a lot, even though it wasn't so easy to make contacts during the coronavirus crisis. I also met a few mentors during my studies who supported me. Unfortunately, my talent scout had to stop shortly after I started, so we only planned my path together for a while.
Do you have any advice for people who are unsure whether they really want to study or not?
Definitely! I changed my mind once myself and chose a different subject when I realized that it wasn't right for me. If you realize that you're in over your head or have ended up in the wrong subject, you shouldn't be afraid to change. It's perfectly okay to take your time until you find the right degree program.


![[Translate to English:] Partner Four hands are holding the green logo of TU Dortmund University](/storages/tu_website/_processed_/1/d/csm_Partner_Nicole_Rechmann_KW_670eba0154.jpg)




![[Translate to English:] Forschung An apparatus with tubes in a laboratory](/storages/tu_website/_processed_/0/c/csm_Forschung_Juergen_Huhn_4fa3153b51.jpg)
![[Translate to English:] Studium Five students are sitting in a lecture hall. They are talking to each other.](/storages/tu_website/_processed_/c/9/csm_Studium_FelixSchmale_dbdbfb0dd7.jpg)




