Support services for students
OSAs
Online self-assessments (OSAs) for bachelor's and diploma degree programmes help prospective students to make the right choice of degree programme in order to prevent them from dropping out later. The degree programmes offered at the University of Graz and their options are presented concisely by means of compact information, short interviews with students and staff, sample tasks and much more. This gives prospective students an interactive insight into the study options at the University of Graz and at the same time allows them to reflect on the extent to which the degree course matches their interests and abilities.
Welcome Weeks
There are also support offers and a comprehensive programme for first-semester students. Informative, supportive and social-networking contributions and activities (such as info brunches, guided tours, games evenings, sports activities) are designed to make it easier for first-semester students to start their studies, provide orientation and strengthen their sense of belonging. Successful onboarding has a significant influence on how first-semester students identify with their university and their chosen degree course and subsequently leads to higher examination activity and fewer students dropping out. On the one hand, general topics for first-year students are dealt with, while on the other hand, the degree programmes themselves design study-specific welcome offerings for their first-semester students. The offering is primarily aimed at first-year students in bachelor's and diploma programmes.
Orientation tutoring
In order to increase examination activity and counteract the high drop-out rate, the University of Graz has set up so-called "orientation tutorials" for first-semester students in a variety of fields of study. The aim is to ensure that first-semester students are prepared for the demands of everyday university life and socially integrated right from the start by having qualified higher-semester students accompany them during the critical phase of starting their studies - and subsequently increase their motivation and activity.
For instructors of courses in the introductory and orientation phase in particular, the tutorials are a suitable platform to come into personal contact with first-semester students. This may reduce fear of contact and strengthen the feeling of belonging to the university among first-semester students.
Workshops
The transition from school or work to university is a challenge for many students. In particular, the large assessment loads and the task of organizing oneself can have a paralyzing effect and lead to procrastination. In order to support students in perceiving university challenges as manageable and mastering them, the following free workshops are offered several times a semester:
- "How do I create a study plan?"
- "Learning techniques: memorizing content and retaining it in the long term"
- "Procrastination - moving from postponing to action"
Writing and method counselling
For many students, writing a thesis is the last major hurdle in their studies. The Writing Center at the University of Graz offers support in this field. It supports students with writing projects of all kinds in the form of counselling, workshops, events and by providing resources.
In case of problems in the implementation of empirical research projects and the use of certain research methods, the Graz Center for Empirical Research offers support in the form of conselling and workshops.
Contact us
4students | Universitätsplatz 3a/II, 8010 Graz studium.uni-graz.at |
Writing Center | Heinrichstraße 18/II, 8010 Graz schreibzentrum.uni-graz.at |
Graz Center for Empirical Research | Halbärthgasse 6/1, 8010 Graz https://grazer-methodenkompetenzzentrum.uni-graz.at/de/ |