Fuck Up Stories - Student Edition
Too much social pressure? Chosen the wrong degree program? Overwhelmed or even expelled from the University? Having doubts about one’s studies has become a widespread phenomenon. This is demonstrated once a year at the Fuck Up Stories – Student Edition (FUS), where courageous speakers talk about their failure to succeed at university, their shattered career plans and what they did next.
Dealing openly with setbacks is an important aspect of the Fuck Up Stories: failure is part and parcel of this and can even be a necessary experience in order to reorientate yourself and forge your own path successfully. At the event, the speakers will talk candidly and extremely personally about their own doubts, fears and challenges during their studies. How did they manage to make a new start after supposedly messing up their studies? What did they learn from it? How did their friends, parents and fellow students react?
Timing and registration
Date and time
July 12, 2024 | 6 - 8 pm
Where
Campus Poppelsdorf (Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 5, 53115 Bonn) as part of the CAMPUS Garden
In case of rain, in Lecture Hall 2 of the Lecture Hall Center (right next door).
Registration
Participation is free.
You do not need to register in advance.
The event will be held in German
Our speakers 2024
Lukas
“With the skills I have acquired, I'll end up somewhere fun." When he was talking to others, Lukas repeated this sentence over and over again – sometimes fully convinced and sometimes with a touch of desperation. After dropping out of two degree programs, at least he now knows where he can see himself: working in radio. In his presentation, Lukas will talk about how he has come to this decision.
Moritz
"No way! Something conventional and safe is the only option – your brothers studied business administration and industrial engineering!" This was Moritz's father's harsh reply when he told him about his plans to study philosophy or music. Nine semesters of studying law and a scholarship from an organization for the promotion of young talent later, he faced the question whether he should throw everything away and finally study what he really wanted. Or would he rather grin and bear it and ignore the warning signals that his body and mind were sending out?
Moritz will tell you about the expectations of others, the health implications of feeling unhappy during his studies, the best decision of his life, and the great experiences he gained during his vocational training.
Fayed
Going through with studying law, taking a break or dropping out?
The road to the state examination is a long and rocky one, so a long-lasting mental strain caused by stress, exhaustion and anxiety is considered completely normal by most people. For many law students, taking a break or dropping out is out of the question!
Fayed decided to take an unusual path: He took a break from his law studies and instead completed vocational training in the legal field and started a Bachelor of Laws.
Fayed would like to encourage you to find and follow your own paths – even if they deviate from the norm. We all have our own strengths and needs, and sometimes it takes courage to choose an alternative path.
Jérôme
“If we don't get you a job this year, things are not looking good!" This sentence from an employee at the Federal Employment Agency has stuck with Jérôme. It was said during an advisory session, which was preceded by a long period of doubt as to whether Jérôme should withdraw from studying law. After all, the career advisory session during high school had revealed that he should become a business lawyer and at school, he already had a reputation as the "in-house lawyer". Also, his family and friends saw this as his predestined path. So, the decision to drop out after 8 semesters was not an easy one, but what happened next?
In his presentation, Jérôme will tell you how he overcame his low, how much luck was needed, and what a magazine subscription has to do with it.
Looking back: FUN 2019-2023
At the previous FuckUp Nights Bonn – Student Editions, brave speakers told their own personal stories with authenticity, emotion and honesty. When did the doubts begin to creep in? What path did they find for themselves? Did they have any support? And where are they now?
FuckUp Nights Bonn - Student Edition #5
Bild © Daniel Epple
FuckUp Nights Bonn – Student Edition #4
FuckUp Nights Bonn - Student Edition #3
FuckUp Nights Bonn - Student Edition #2
FuckUp Nights Bonn - Student Edition #1
Contact information and organization
Theresa Fabian
Lea Jenkner
See also
Doubts about your studies
Here you can find information and support if you’re having doubts about your studies.
Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service
The Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service can help you with any questions relating to your studies. Please feel free to arrange a consultation.
First-hand reports
Here you can find many more personal stories told by (former) students who had doubts of their own.