Tips for Discontinuing Students
Table of contents
Ending your studies without graduating can present you with a range of challenges and leave you with many questions. Where do I go from here? What was the problem? What could I do differently next time? The following options are available to help you.
Planning alternatives
If you intend to begin a new programme of study, you can make an appointment to speak with a student counsellor at the Central Student Information and Counselling Service. Depending on your concerns, you can discuss with the student counsellor the reasons that led to you discontinuing your studies, develop your future career plans, find a suitable degree programme or look for alternative routes into your preferred career and plan your next steps.
If you have lost the right to sit examinations for your course of study, then this may mean you are restricted when it comes to choosing a similar programme. Information as to whether the failed examination would also constitute part of your alternative programme and thus prevent you from choosing it can be obtained from the appropriate examinations office.
Support for starting your career
The Career Service at TU Dresden helps you get started in your career. The service offers support for looking at your career options and starting down the right path towards where you want to go. The service also provides information about available options for further training and education within the region and beyond.
If you have decided to discontinue your studies at TU Dresden, then the Study and Careers Service at the Agentur für Arbeit provides comprehensive advice on alternatives to university: from the dual study programme („duales Studium”) to specialised training for school leavers as well as dual or school-based vocational training. Advice on work placements, short-term options until you can start something new, or help finding a job is also available. You can get in touch via e-mail. You can also make an appointment with the Agentur für Arbeit: 0351 2885-1097 (Grit Förster) or 0351 2885-1019 (Cathleen Hofeditz). There is also an open office hour on campus during the lecture period: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Stura building, George-Bähr-Straße 1e, room 7: Show map of this location.
If you are interested in vocational training, you can also contact the Dresden Chamber of Trades and Crafts (Handwerkskammer) and the Dresden Chamber of Trade and Industry (IHK). They will also be able to provide you with advice.
Crisis and psychological support
If you need psychological support, you can make use of the services offered by the Psycho-social Counselling Service of the Studentenwerk Dresden.
Further information
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has put together a range of useful information and personal experiences at www.studienabbruch-und-dann.de. There you will find answer to many questions relating to discontinuing your studies, contact information for counselling centres and information on various events. You can also contact the network of the Saxon counterpart www.studienabbruch-und-weiter.de and the Dresden network Weg X.
© Eric Blumenthal
Central Student Information and Counseling Service
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