Every second Tuesday, the Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service and the Employment Agency run on-campus drop-in sessions on the subject of doubts about studying. Advice can be provided anonymously; no registration is required.

The Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service runs telephone consultations for those with doubts about their studies. Advice can be provided anonymously; no registration is required.

The Employment Agency offers telephone and video consultations. Appointments can be booked online or arranged by email.

The doubts that someone can have about their studies are manifold. There are various things you can do depending on what kinds of doubts you are having and what is behind them. Please feel free to seek personalized advice on your options.

For many difficulties that lead people to have doubts about their studies – such as financial problems, personal/health reasons, difficulties organizing their work or making progress with their degree program, and uncertainties about their career prospects – there are support options⁴ available that can allow them to continue their studies.

If you come to realize that you have picked the wrong degree program, maybe because you don’t like the content, can’t get motivated or made your original choice based purely on a “rational” decision that didn’t match your abilities, interests or values, it may make sense to switch to another degree program⁵.

Tools for researching options and (re)orientation.⁶

A lack of practical relevance in a degree program and an (excessively) wide range of career options can prompt people to have doubts about their studies. Nobody who passes their Abitur is obliged to go on to university, and the fears that some have of not earning very much or not being sufficiently challenged if they choose a non-academic education are often unfounded. Switching to vocational training or moving into employment straight away⁷ can be a suitable option.

If you’re having doubts about your studies, it can sometimes be helpful to take time out in order to take a deep breath, recharge your batteries, explore potential careers, do some voluntary or paid work and/or get clarity on your next steps. Depending on how you arrange your time out, you may be able to take it as a leave of absence⁸.

The University of Bonn boasts an extensive network of counseling services with people to contact for a range of different issues. The following overview is intended to help find suitable advice for you.

Our external partners can advise you on dual degree programs, vocational training, career opportunities not requiring a university degree and much more. The following overview may help you find suitable advice.

In videos and blog posts, (former) students also experiencing doubts about their studies explain how varied and diverse these can be and how you can move forward.

The German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (Deutsches Zentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung, DZHW) conducted a study titled “Studienzweifel und Beratung an den Hochschulen in Nordrhein-Westfalen” (“Doubts about one’s studies and consultation at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia”)¹⁸ as part of the Next Career project. The authors investigated the extent to which students have doubts about their studies as well as the impact consultation offers might have on academic success.

Sorted by topic areas, find professions, educational paths and degree programs that suit your personal strengths, wishes and abilities.

Overview of all degree programs offered at German higher education institutions including further references, plus information on how to choose the right degree program.

Use psychological tests to find out what you are good at, what you are interested in and which career options suit you.

Use online self-assessments to find out if a certain degree program is right for you or which academic disciplines suit you best.

The University of Bonn receives funding from the state-wide flagship project "Studienaussteiger*innen NRW - Next Career"²⁵.