‘I don't feel like I belong’ – 'Infopoint' on campus offers centralised counselling for students

The 'Infopoint' in Lok21 is a place where concerns are heard and where students with different questions can get help. A new project under the direction of Susanne Dettmann bundles counselling services of the TH Wildau here.
 

"I'm the first in my family to go to uni and I don't have anyone at home to ask how it works," “I have ADHD and need more breaks than my fellow students,” “With my chronic bowel disease, I can't attend all in-person lectures,” or ’I'm new to Germany and I don't feel like I belong.’ - These quotes reflect the reality of life for many students, including those at the TH Wildau. In order to provide better support, the ‘Infopoint Studienberatung’ in the Lok21 has become a central point of contact for information about counselling services at the TH Wildau. This is thanks to a new project that aims to reduce barriers and promote academic success through personal, easily accessible counselling and targeted support.

The project particularly targets students from non-academic families, students with mental or physical disabilities, and students with an international background, who often have greater difficulty accessing relevant information and counsellors. The team consists of the head of the project, Susanne Dettmann, who has been working as a study coach at the university since 2018, an advisory assistant and three student assistants, who are to offer advice on an peer-to-peer basis. The ‘Infopoint’ is also to be established as a kind of first-aid point for mental emergencies. All staff members will receive professional training for this purpose.

Social and health problems make studying more difficult

The 2021 student survey conducted by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) found that 46.2 per cent of the students surveyed at the TH Wildau have a non-academic family background. They often lack role models, networks and sometimes understanding, as well as financial resources to complete their studies with equal opportunities. Due to a lack of exchange on this topic, these students can develop the sense of not belonging. This group shares this feeling with a large proportion of the international students surveyed (10 per cent).

Less well known are difficulties faced by students who have to cope with health impairments while studying. The study by the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) from 2023, ‘Studying with a health impairment’, shows that of the students surveyed throughout Germany, around 16 percent study under difficult conditions: of these, 65.2 percent suffer from mental illnesses and 13.2 percent from chronic illnesses.

Guidance, themed days and workshops

The ‘Infopoint Student Advisory Service’ is intended to be a central point of contact for information about advisory services in and around the TH Wildau. The university's advisors have the opportunity to offer themed days here, thus presenting their advisory services in a more transparent and centralised way. Students and staff can find assistance regarding advisory requests. Themed days and workshops are regularly offered to students in German and English. In addition, employees can take advantage of awareness-raising offers on the topics mentioned above.

Some events that will be offered in this context soon are:
 

• From 23 October 2024, the psychosocial and social counselling service of the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg offers appointments (monthly offer) on campus. Further information and instructions for registering for the free and confidential counselling service can be found here: th-wildau.de/psychosoziale-beratung.

• On 5 November 2024, the ‘Infopoint’ will host a themed day on disadvantage compensation. Katja Wenger, representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, will lead through the day.

• On 5 December 2024, an awareness day on the topic of inclusion will be offered as part of the travelling exhibition ‘Weil Vielfalt Fetzt’ (Because Diversity Rocks), organised by the Career Centre for Professorial Development.

• The theme day on 17 December 2024 will focus on the topic of anti-discrimination. It will be conducted by the anti-discrimination officer Claudia Steinborn-Maglóczki.
   

Further information and booking links can be found on the website of the ‘Infopoint’ or from the relevant contact persons. ‘Experience has shown that students like theme days and they also help to publicise the counselling services,’ explains Susanne Dettmann. Anyone who would like to offer a theme day can register by email. Susanne Dettmann will support or take over the organisation.

Der „Infopoint Studienberatung“ ist ein vom Europäischen Sozialfonds gefördertes Projekt. Es trägt den offiziellen Titel „ServiceCenter - Persönliche Anlaufstelle für Studierende - Förderung von Chancengleichheit und Studienerfolg an der TH Wildau“. Der Name „Infopoint Studienberatung“ bestand bereits vorher und bleibt erhalten.  Ziele sind die Unterstützung der genannten Zielgruppen, niedrigschwellige Beratung durch geschulte Studierende, die Organisation von Workshops und Schulungen, eine Kooperation u.a. mit „Arbeiterkind.de“, psychologische Ersthilfe und kollegiale Beratung.

Studieren mit gesundheitlichen Beeinträchtigungen:

www.studierendenwerke.de/beitrag/die-studierendenbefragung-in-deutschland-best3-studieren-mit-einer-gesundheitlichen-beeintraechtigung

Studierendenbefragung an der TH Wildau:

Arbeitsgruppe HEADS - Higher Education Analytical Data System: Ausgewählte Ergebnisse aus dem Informationsportal HEADS zu „Die Studierendenbefragung in Deutschland“ - Technische Hochschule Wildau, Teilgenommen haben: 559 Studierende, hrsg. September 2023.