Survival Kit for Studies  “The subjects don’t just come to an end after the exam”

Bene is studying political science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). For our Survival Kit series, she recounts some euphoric pre-pandemic experiences at uni, how her easy-going approach keeps her on an even keel most of the time and why she had to pull an all-nighter – on two separate occasions.

The biggest cliché about your school – and to what extent it’s true:

One preconception is that political science isn’t a real science, which is definitely not true. Another is that all the poli sci students are very idealistic and politically active people who spend all day immersed in current political affairs. It’s true that we’re all very interested in politics, of course, and many of us are politically involved as well, but we’re interested in other subjects too.

What’s your everyday life like?

Fortunately, I have no trouble at all getting up early, usually at around 7 o’clock. I either start studying right away or, at least at the moment still, sign into my courses online. Apart from that, I don't really have a routine. During the summer I made up my mind to work on my classes or study till the afternoon. It's important to me to leave some time in the evening to cook with my housemates or get together with friends, just go for a walk or a jog – to do something that has nothing to do with uni. I discovered yoga during the Covid-19 lockdown. I've also started learning Russian on the side and I'm practising it on my own, without any pressure.

What could you have done without?

There were one or two modules I had a hard time with: one law module, for example, really overwhelmed me the first term. But the only thing I really could have done without was online exams. Online lectures and seminars are not a problem for me, but taking exams online is really stressful. You worry the whole time whether the internet connection is stable, whether everything’s going to work or something’s going to crash.

Which day at uni will you never forget?

During my very first term, I met up with some friends at a classmate’s place after the last exam. We hung out together the whole time, cooked, ate some cake and had some drinks. It was a very nice conclusion: we’d started the term together and then we finished it together. That was just before Covid-19 really hit Germany. We were looking forward to the summer term together and had already made plans to go hiking in the mountains and go on holidays together. The mood was quite euphoric. And those friendships have lasted despite all the restrictions during the pandemic, so I’m very grateful for that.

If you could start over at university, what would you do differently?

I’d definitely study political science at the TU again. But I’d probably be a little more easy-going in some situations now. I’d ask myself: Which subjects do I enjoy? What’s the best way for me to learn? And I wouldn't let myself feel pressured by other people’s learning methods, I’d simply approach everything more calmly. You learn so much in everyday life, too, by getting involved in social projects or student associations, or simply reading books. University is just one part of a long-term learning process. I wish I’d realized that a little earlier on.

What did you find the most annoying?

I haven’t found anything really annoying. It's more the little things: that I didn't see more of Munich’s surroundings during the first term, for example, that I didn’t get to the mountains because of Covid-19.
 

What has often proved a lifesaver for you?

At first, my friends at uni. I found it very reassuring to see that everyone has problems or insecurities. That aside, my philosophy is that you shouldn't let aggravation, pressure or stress get the better of you. Try to figure out what the problem is, get a grip on the situation and then move on. I try not to take everything so seriously.

What did you eat when you were running low on funds?

I have the very great privilege of never really having had to worry about money. That aside, my standard low-cost meal is pasta with pesto. Good muesli is nutritious and inexpensive too.
 

What question do you hear at every family gathering?

I’m often asked what I can do with my degree later on or whether I want to go into politics – though that’s something that more law students tend to do. Many people think poli sci is a very philosophical subject. It is to a point, but we also address plenty of current real-life issues. I see political science as a good basis for various professions, such as journalism or working at political institutions or non-governmental organizations.

What are you proud of?

I chose a course called “Big Data Politics” in my third term. A subject I’d never looked into before, but I studied hard for the course and worked my way into it. I ultimately got a great deal out of it and enjoyed it, too, even though I’d had no prior exposure to the subject of Big Data.

What was the highest price you had to pay for a good mark?

We had two 24-hour exams in the first and second term: we had to write an essay about a question for each. Which meant pulling an all-nighter. The second-term exam took place in mid-August when everyone else was already out of school enjoying their summer. That wasn’t the sort of experience I’d recommend. It was 24 hours of pure stress and strain.

University is also about learning for life. What’s your takeaway so far for the future?

The political science programme allows a lot of freedom, you can specialize or pursue a minor. So you should think carefully about what you want: What will be useful to me? What do I really want and what’s just popular at the moment? And it's worthwhile to keep asking these questions after your studies too.
I also learned that the subjects don’t just come to an end after the exam. You learn a lot more at lectures anyway, and then it simply depends what you do with that knowledge and how you apply it to other problems – outside uni too. It's a long-term process and you’re always getting new input, in and outside uni.
 

September 2021