Preparing for study choice

Choosing a study often feels bigger than necessary. As if with one decision you immediately determine your entire future. That idea mainly creates unnecessary pressure. In reality, you're not choosing a final destination, but simply the next step in your development. Still, it can be difficult to maintain an overview. There's a lot of options, everyone has an opinion, and online every program seems interesting. That's precisely why it helps to approach the process more calmly and practically.

Instead of immediately searching for the perfect study, it's smarter to first take a step back and create an overview. What do you actually want to get out of your student years? How do you want to spend your days and what do you want your week to look like? If you answer those questions for yourself, choosing becomes less abstract and much more concrete.

Start with yourself

Many people immediately dive into study guides or websites. That seems logical, but often causes you to get lost in options. The offering is simply too large. That's why it works better to start with yourself. Not from program titles, but from your own interests and way of working.

Think back to moments when you were really engaged with something without watching the clock. That could be a school project, a part-time job, or something you do in your free time. Often there's a clear common thread there. Maybe you enjoy working with people, or prefer working independently. Maybe you like structure or prefer creativity. Those kinds of preferences say more about a suitable study than any brochure. By first having a clear picture of your own profile, many programs automatically fall away. What remains feels more logical and manageable.

Comparing programs

Once you've found a few directions that suit you, you can compare more specifically. Look beyond just the name of the study. Two programs can sound similar, but be completely differently structured in practice. One program consists mainly of theory and exams, while the other revolves around projects, collaboration, and internships.

It helps to look at what an average week looks like, how many contact hours you have, and how much independence is expected. Also the way of testing makes a difference. Some people work well with deadlines and group assignments, others learn better for exams. Those kinds of details ultimately determine how pleasant your studies are. By making it concrete, you prevent choosing based only on a good feeling or an attractive name. 

Visit open days 

Online information gives a first impression, but never tells the whole story. You only really notice if a place fits you when you walk around there. The atmosphere of a program is hard to put into words, but it is important. How teachers interact with students, how the building feels and how students talk to each other often says more than any description. 

An open day helps to complete that picture. Even better is to shadow for a day. Then you experience how classes run and what a normal study day looks like. You quickly notice if you see yourself walking around there. That feeling is often a reliable measure. 

Our Life Design Quiz helps you further

Take our Life Design Quiz. It immediately gives you insight into your interests and natural aptitude or talents, along with some recommendations for your study or career. 

More than a fun program 

Besides content and atmosphere, practical matters play a bigger role than you think beforehand. Travel time, costs and study load have a daily impact on your energy. A program can perfectly match your interests, but if you have to travel two hours every day, you'll notice that quickly. Conversely, a study closer to home can provide much peace. The combination with work or other obligations is also important. Many students work alongside their studies. Then it's nice if your schedule is flexible or if the study load can be planned well. By including these kinds of factors, you make a choice that is not only interesting, but also remains feasible in the long term. jn. 

Doubt is part of it 

Almost no one makes a study choice with complete certainty. That's normal. Doubt doesn't mean you're doing it wrong, but that you're thinking consciously. Moreover, a study choice is rarely definitive. You can adjust subjects, choose minors or even change direction if that fits better. 

Your career develops step by step. What you choose now doesn't have to be fixed for the rest of your life. That realization takes away a lot of pressure and makes it easier to make a decision. 

Making the final decision 

At some point you've gathered enough information. Then it's time to choose and begin. Not because everything is perfectly clear, but because you have a good picture of what suits you. Experience ultimately gives more insight than endless comparing. Take the time to explore your options, talk with students and visit a few programs. Then calmly make your choice and go for it.