From Fresh Start to Fast Pace:
The first week at Uni was a whirlwind of campus tours, icebreaker games, and overflowing plates of Mensa cafeteria food (pro tip: the schnitzel is a winner!). But by week two, the honeymoon phase was over. It was time to dive headfirst into the administrative Wild West — a system vastly different from what I expected.
Unlike back home, enrollment for lectures and exams at TU Braunschweig isn’t a given. It’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, university edition. The university provides a suggested schedule, but you’re the architect of your academic journey. There are mandatory subjects, of course, but then comes the exciting part: specialization courses that tailor your path, and “keyskills” — electives like language classes, social activities, or even a course on ethics (because let’s face it, a little philosophy never hurt anyone!).
The second week was when things got real. All the lectures opened their enrollment portals on a magical online platform. Imagine Hogwarts’ online learning system, but for grown-ups (minus the spells, unfortunately). This platform became my lifeline: course information, schedules, assignments, and even a way to connect with professors and classmates. It’s basically the university’s digital heart, and setting up my profile and subscribing to updates felt like getting the Hogwarts acceptance letter — crucial for survival! Here’s why: enrollment is a first-come, first-served Hunger Games.
The Enrollment Games: A Race Against the Clock
Lectures were just the first hurdle. Brace yourselves, because for some subjects, enrolling in corresponding exercises is mandatory to even be eligible for the exam. Think of them as bonus rounds that test your understanding of the lecture material. But here’s the kicker: to qualify for the exam, you need to ace these exercises — an 80% pass rate is the golden ticket. Oh, and there’s a limited number of spots available. The enrollment process for these exercises turned into a competitive race against the clock. Missing out meant potentially waiting until the next semester (or even a year!) for some single-semester courses. Week two became an unexpected masterclass in strategic planning and quick decision-making.
Beyond Enrollment: Juggling Deadlines and Diving into Keyskills
Even after conquering the enrollment battles, the adventure wasn’t over. Enrolling in lectures and exercises doesn’t magically register you for the exam. There’s a separate deadline for that, folks! Speaking of deadlines, the first week’s assignments for the exercises I managed to snag were already due — three submissions within a week! Talk about baptism by fire.
But amidst the administrative whirlwind, there was a light at the end of the tunnel: keyskills. These electives are a chance to personalize your academic journey. While core subjects are essential, keyskills allow you to explore new interests. My classmates and I went wild with our choices, from learning Spanish to joining social activities (because let’s be honest, a healthy dose of fun is vital in any academic journey XD).
A Week of Lessons Learned (and Almost Missed Deadlines!)
Week two at Uni was a crash course in time management, adaptability, and learning to navigate uncharted territory. It was a wake-up call from the initial excitement, a reminder that university life comes with its own set of challenges. But hey, every hurdle overcome is a lesson learned, and every deadline met is a victory dance (even if it’s just you doing a happy jig in your dorm room). As I look ahead to the rest of the semester, I’m armed with newfound knowledge, a healthy dose of respect for the enrollment process, and a fierce determination to conquer whatever academic challenges come my way. After all, every step closer to my goals is a step worth celebrating!
