The transition from high school to college requires a great deal of initiative. This includes studying independently and organizing one’s coursework. Mainz University of Applied Sciences and Bingen University of Applied Sciences (TH) have therefore joined forces to equip their students in STEM fields with the right learning skills. Through the “Self-Learning Competence Partnership” (KOSEKO), they offer free workshops. The program kicked off with a two-day workshop at the Ingelheim Continuing Education Center. There, the 18 participants learned from two external trainers how to choose the right learning techniques, manage their time effectively, and confidently present what they’ve learned. Yannick Blechschmit, a student at TH Bingen, thought the program was excellent: “I think a seminar like this belongs in every curriculum. It’s much more important to first learn how to study before delving into the content of your degree program.”
Mainz University of Applied Sciences and Bingen University of Applied Sciences collaborate on many projects to leverage synergies. Since they had already joined forces in the area of academic success management, the concept for KOSEKO was a natural fit. “Self-directed learning skills, such as time and stress management, are indispensable today for a successful academic career and professional life,” explained Isabel Orben-Eidt from Bingen University of Applied Sciences, who coordinates the project. “The fact that our students are aware of this and that there is a need for such a program is demonstrated by the high number of registrations for the first workshop, which exceeded our expectations.” Prof. Dr. Andrea Beyer, Vice President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences, emphasized: “Experience has shown that the first two semesters in particular carry the greatest risk of losing one’s bearings in college. KOSEKO is therefore specifically aimed at first-semester students in STEM fields, who can learn effective study methods as well as strategies for stress and time management.”
For their first seminar, the universities invited Michael Schade from Berlin and Dr. Hendrik Wahler from Mainz. Schade, who presented learning methods, is both an engineer and an adult educator, making him ideally qualified to address the questions of STEM students. Dr. Wahler was awarded a research prize by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for his coaching concept. He equipped the group with skills in confident communication, time management, and stress management. The participants worked through the material primarily in small groups, equipping them to tackle the upcoming exam period.
Additional offerings through KOSEKO will follow in the coming semester as well. The free program is supported by the Carl Zeiss Foundation College.
