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A fresh start

When university isn’t right for you
Student with virtual reality glasses
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Prospects after dropping out

Have you taken your time to think about your situation, talked to others and considered and possibly discarded all possible options to change something crucial? Then you have to ask yourself whether you could find fulfilment in a career outside of the university.

Leaving university without a degree is an opportunity to make a fresh start! Vocational training also opens up attractive career paths—and possibly a professional future that suits you better.

Under what circumstances can it make sense to drop out of my studies?

If you are finding your studies more frustrating than fun, and have been doing so for a long time, it's worth looking for alternatives. It can happen that studying is not the right thing for you, or maybe it's just not the right thing for you at the moment. In this case, a vocational training is often a good alternative because the ‘practical’ work in a company is more tangible and the opportunity to earn your own money is appealing. Deciding to start a vocational training does not mean that you will never study again. On the contrary, even after a longer period of time away, it is possible to return to your studies or start a new study programme.

Who can I turn to if I am considering dropping out of my studies?

We recommend you first contact the Central Student Advisory Service. During a neutral and confidential conversation, you can discuss your doubts as well as various alternatives. In addition, we will give you information on who else might be able to help you. You can find a general list of contact points at the end of the page. Every summer semester, we organize an event called ‘Zweifel am Studium’ (Doubts about your Studies), in which we look at the topic from a variety of perspectives.

I would like to discontinue my studies. What do I have to consider if I am receiving BAföG?

If you have any questions about BAföG, please contact the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung (Education Assistance Office, in short BAföG Office) at the student services organization: BAföG — Studierendenwerk Thüringen.External link

  • Guidance and services
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    Still not getting anywhere?

    Then you might consider talking to an impartial person to explore further options and alternative paths. Many different institutions, both within and outside the University, are there to lend you a sympathetic ear and offer personal advice.

Information

From 2018 to 2020, the University of Jena participated in the project PereSplus, which tried creating prospects for university dropouts and recruiting skilled workers for the Federal State of Thuringia. You can find more information about the project hereExternal link.

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb