Study successfully | FB 02 - Sowi?So! (NEU)

Here is an overview of services to help you succeed in your studies. With the SoWi?So! instant help you will find quick answers to read up on if you get stuck on topics related to studying - for example, course registration or homework. The section "Now I'm doing it right!" contains courses with which you can acquire important skills for successful studying - for example, preliminary maths courses, courses on stress management or time management. At the end of the page you will find an overview of the counselling services available to you at JGU. Please note: The courses you find on this page are held in German. If you look for support in English, please check our offers for international students. Registration for courses can be done via Jogustine.

Events

For first-year students: Introductory event

On Monday, 14 October (2 - 4 p.m. Audimax "Alte Mensa"), Dean Prof. Dr. Gregor Daschmann will welcome you as a first-semester student at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and especially at the Department 02. You will also receive valuable information about the structure of the University of Mainz, general explanations about the study structure, modules and courses, and learn which are your first points of contact during your studies.

Instant help - information to go

How to study? SoWi?So!- First Aid

Our SoWi?So! first aid kit provides helpful information on various topics related to studying. Here you can find out everything you need to know about registering for courses, organising your studies and finding topics for assignments and seminar papers.

How do you actually...?

Some subjects have specific guidelines and recommendations for writing term papers and for form and citation style. So that you know how to proceed with your next paper, you can find an overview from your respective institutes here. **

** So far, this information is only available in German. English versions will follow soon.

*** If in doubt, please ask your individual lecturers, because there is currently no uniform guideline for sports science; most of the time it is based on the dvs standard linked here.

Now I'm doing it right! - Workshops and courses

Pre-course in Mathematics for Social Scientists

This course is intended for all students of the Faculty 02 who would like to refresh their knowledge of mathematics before or while attending the introductory statistics course. Quantitative methodology requires certain basic knowledge of school mathematics, which cannot be repeated during the compulsory courses. Furthermore, students in the social sciences also encounter mathematical methods outside of statistics, e.g. in the form of theoretical models. A refresher course is therefore useful for all those who feel somewhat insecure or for whom the school material dates back some time.

- This course will be held in German. Read more

Workshop: Term Papers

At the end of the semester, you have to hand in a term paper, but you don't know how to find a topic and find it difficult to motivate yourself to work? You struggle with the literature research and when you have a text, reading it turns out to be a challenge?

You know the rough structure of a term paper: introduction, main body, conclusion. But what are the actual functions of these text sections? What about other components such as the list of figures, bibliography and glossary, and how do you format the whole thing correctly?

This workshop supports you in the production of your seminar paper(s) and shows you techniques of scientific work.

"Thank you for the informative, exciting and very helpful course yesterday. It was very personalised and precise and that helped me incredibly. I sorted out my thoughts first thing this morning at 7am and am now sitting down to work!:)" - feedback from a participant

The workshop will take place in the coming winter semester on 28.02.2025, 10 a.m. - 15 p.m. – This course will be held in German. Read more

Workshop: Term Papers for advanced learners - Calmly and successfully completing your degree

The first term papers are done, but now the first major or even the final thesis is on the agenda? But how do you structure the writing process properly and how do you stay calm?

This workshop is aimed at advanced students who are already planning larger term papers or theses. In addition to reviewing some of the basics of academic writing, participants will learn various time management strategies to plan their work sensibly and realistically. They will also learn techniques to reduce writing and exam stress and to successfully complete their degree in a mentally healthy way.

The workshop will take place in the coming summer semester on 21.02.2025 and 28.02.2025 10:00 to 18:00. Read more

Workshop: Term Papers - Academic writing for internationals

You come from abroad and need information and advice on writing term papers? This workshop provides international students (regular and exchange students) with information and individual advice in English. Participants will learn the common requirements for "Hausarbeiten" (term papers) and receive help to find and correctly use suitable literature and develop an outline. Participants can also clarify remaining questions and receive individual guidance.

Für mehr Unterstützung, besuchen Sie unsere Information to go und die Academic Boosting Class.

Mentally fit through your studies: me@JGU

Is everything too much right now? Those who are under stress are often unable to perform at their best at the decisive moment. In the workshop "me@JGU - mentally fit through your studies", a lot of information, tips and exercises help to strengthen your mental health and to get through your studies calmly. The Psychotherapeutic Counseling Center at the University of Mainz also offers the following services:

- - - - Impulse lectures
      - Coping Strategies
      - Practical exercises
      - Exchange with the group

- This course will be held in German. Read more

Good advice is not hard to come by – Counseling Services

Write plain text - Individual writing consultation

In the upcoming winter term, our individual writing consultation will be available to answer any questions you may have on the topic of term papers. Whether it is about finding and narrowing down a topic, solving writing inhibitions or citation rules - here you will receive individual answers, tips and advice.

The dates will be announced later. Read more

Apart from yoir subject-specific counselling service, useful counselling services are also available JGU-wide:

- - - - General Counselling: Student Services (Studierendenservice) and Central Student Advisory Service (zentrale Studienberatung)
      - Writing advice: Campus-wide Writing Workshop (Schreibwerkstatt); Writing counselling for non-native speakers
      - Financial counselling: Bafög-Service
      - Advice from students: AStA and Student Councils (Fachschaften)
      - Career entry counselling: Career Service
      - Psychological counselling: Psychotherapeutic Counselling Centre
      - Advice on accessbility: Service Centre for Barrier-Free Studying
      - Counselling for parents: Family Service Office and Autonomous Department for Parents
      - Counselling on studying abroad: Erasmus-Office and International Affairs Department (Abteilung Internationales)

We also get in touch with you: Occasion-related SoWi?So! counselling

There are various reasons why your studies may develop differently from the standard study plan. Often it is an intentional adaptation of the course of study to individual needs. Sometimes, however, students fall behind unintentionally. Exams have been postponed and are piling up, which can create a lot of pressure for you. If students are facing a final module exam after several failed attempts or your JoGuStINe profile has relatively few credit points, we will send them a short, automatically generated info mail with a counselling offer once at the end of each semester. The offer is not obligatory and, of course, the counselling is confidential and independent of your field of study.