Preparing for your studies
You've decided on a degree course? Congratulations!
Now it's time to get ready to start your studies. Here are some things you need to keep in mind, and suggestions about what you can already start taking care of.
To make sure you don't lose track, we've compiled the most important organisational and study-related points into checklists. These are supplemented with helpful tips for everyday student life, finding accommodation and financing your studies.
Checklist – Organisational matters
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- Are you aware of the application and enrolment deadlines and what you need for each?
- Have you fulfilled all the prerequisites for your degree course? Do you need to take an aptitude test? Are specific language skills or internships among the prerequisites?
- Are you aware of the admission requirements and restrictions?
- Do you know how your degree course is structured? How long does it take? Does it include a stay abroad, or is this requested? You can find all of this information in the course and examination regulations for your degree course.
- Do you know who to contact regarding study-related matters, and are you familiar with the various advising offers at HAW Hamburg on different topics that are relevant for you (e.g. studying with a child or a disability, or studying part-time)?
Checklist – Study-related matters
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- Are you unsure whether your previous knowledge is sufficient? You can test your knowledge in preparatory courses like the video-based online viaMINT course for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science. You might also want to repeat relevant school subjects if you are worried that you learned the materials too long ago or chose not to take important subjects. The module handbooks for your degree course are an important source of information about what the courses cover. You can find these on your degree course page.
- Have a look at the degree course or department home page and do everything that is recommended there. Read the course catalogue, which is also available on your degree course page.
- Do you want to delve more deeply into the topics covered in your degree course? Visit trade fairs related to these topics, listen to podcasts, watch videos or read interesting books and specialist journals. The degree course advisors can help with subject-specific questions. They teach in the faculties and are happy to answer your questions about details related to the field.
Tips for checking out the university and getting ready
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- Take a walk around the campus. Check out the library, or have something to eat in a cafe or the cafeteria to get a sense of the atmosphere. Or approach a student and talk to them – sometimes this can lead to a new friend.
- Look for HAW Hamburg Facebook groups, either in your degree course or HAW international.
- If you've lived at home until now, it's sometimes helpful to 'run your own household' for a while: do the laundry, cook, shop, clean, etc. This will help you plan your time realistically during your studies and is good practice for 'living alone'.
- Do you need insurance? Many of you will still be covered through your family's insurance. If not, personal liability insurance and household insurance are inexpensive basic forms of insurance that are strongly recommended for everyone.
If you have other tips you'd like to pass on, write to us!