As a first-time graduate at university, you are probably working in an area that is very unfamiliar to you. You will encounter challenges that are not all necessarily visible. You may encounter certain inner hurdles that prevent you from pursuing your goals and realizing your potential. These mental barriers are often related to your social background and the unequal educational opportunities in Germany.

Typical mental barriers

Below we present some typical mental barriers. They are by no means intended to deter you from starting or continuing your studies. On the contrary: they should help you to understand yourself better, see your strengths and develop strategies to confidently go your own way in your studies.

Lower self-confidence

You have the feeling that you don't belong in academic contexts. You may also doubt your own abilities, even if you have objectively achieved the same performance (keyword: "impostor syndrome"). There are fewer role models in your environment who could show you that a certain path is possible.

Fear of failure

There may also be a lot of pressure on you to achieve something better. At the same time, however, you are afraid of overreaching yourself or failing and not being able to meet expectations.

Different language

The technical language and certain manners at university seem strange to you. You feel like you have to constantly translate between your family and your new environment.

Pressure to perform due to a lack of security

Academic children often have the feeling: "If things go wrong, there's plan B". But working-class children know: "If I fail, there's no one to catch me".

Barriers are not boundaries

However, these mental barriers are not a limit to your success in your studies or life. You are not alone with these experiences! Many other first-time academics make similar observations.

By making these barriers visible and talking about them, we can overcome them more easily. These hurdles do not have to slow you down, but can strengthen you and show you how much you have already achieved and how much you can still achieve.

Believe in yourself!

If you are not feeling well mentally, find out here about possible support services offered by the university or what you can do for yourself.