At a glance
For: first-year students, students
Topics: Funding, starting studies, study skills, support services, initial phase of studies, best practices
Location: Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Supporting the first steps into the world of university studies
Starting university marks the beginning of a new world and phase of life. Every first-year student is different and has their own personal hopes and expectations for their time at university. Likewise, everyone brings their own unique prior experiences, skills, needs, strengths, and weaknesses to this new world. The first steps into the world of university are unfamiliar for many and require the right tools and preparation.
For the best start
Having the right tools and knowledge can pave the way for a successful journey and the perfect study experience. With individualized support programs and tailored study programs in the first phase of their studies, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) aims to give all first-year students the best possible start.
At h_da, lecturers and students have been exploring new approaches for several years to ease the transition to university and empower students from day one for academic success. StEP makes these new approaches visible and creates further new opportunities for first-year students.
For several years now, we have been exploring new ways to make it easier for students to get started.
An open digital collection of university-wide "new practices"—that is, these new approaches and offerings—has been created; the collection is continuously being expanded. This specially prepared collection provides instructors and curriculum designers with all the information they need for implementation in other degree programs and departments. This paves the way for scaling proven practices university-wide.
The development of new programs for the initial phase of studies is actively promoted and supported. StEP provides those responsible for this phase with success factors and evidence-based suggestions for designing it. They also have access to best practices from other universities.
Contact person in
Sibylle Basten , Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
