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Step-by-step plan for a successful second semester

Step 1: go to the feedback session for every course unit for which you did not obtain a credit (= 10 out of 20 or more).

For each course, feedback is provided on fixed dates and hours: feedback moments per lecturer. Often, extra information is given via the course unit on Ufora. Feedback involves a review and explanation of your exam, explaining what went wrong and how you can improve or adjust your performance next time. You learn not only what went wrong, but also how the exams are corrected, what a good answer might look like, which parts of the exam (multiple choice, open questions, exercises, ...) did go well, ... This way you can increase your chances of passing the next exam period. Write down what you have learned from the feedback, so that you can read it again later on.

Step 2: evaluate where you went wrong while studying

  • For the students of Applied Language Studies: have a look at the 4 steps in the brochure ‘Efficiënter studeren’ (p. 7-8 - in Dutch).
  • For all other students: on the Ufora Student Counselling Service site > 'Information sessions and Workshops' > 'Content', you will find the presentation 'Efficiënter studeren' (in Dutch) of your study programme. Have a look at the 5 steps of a good study method on slide 23 (in Dutch). For each step, write down what you did not do or did differently. Decide what you want to change in the second semester. When you have made this evaluation, a short conversation with your student counsellor can certainly solve your remaining problems. You are always welcome to make an appointment via your student counsellor's electronic calendar.


Step 3: make a planning for the second semester

First, have a look at how the second semester is structured on the basis of the academic calendar. 

Make a weekly and a semester planning. To do this, you can download a weekly and a semester calendar from the Student Counselling Service site (in Dutch) on Ufora or work with a paper version. You can find these on the trays at the Student Counselling Service. Is a planning not for you because you never manage to stick to it? Then take part in the workshop 'Time management - Approach second semester' for your study programme:

  • For the students of History, Archaeology, Art History, Musicology and Theatre Studies, Moral Sciences and Philosophy on Wednesday 23 February from 15:00 to 16:00 in classroom 1.16 (Blandijnberg 2, 1st floor).
    Bring your timetable and register your presence via 'groups' on the Student Counselling Service site.
  • For the students of Linguistics and Literature, African, Oriental and East European Languages and Cultures on Tuesday 22 February from 19:30 to 20:30 via Teams.
    To be able to participate in this session, you need to fill in your timetable in a weekly planner beforehand. You will need to have this to hand, preferably on paper, at the start of the session.
  • For the students of Applied Language Studies on Thursday 24 February from 14:30 to 15:30 in classroom A409 (Abdisstraat 1, 4th floor).


Step 4: individual counselling with your student counsellor

Do you have any remaining questions? Are you unable to stick to your set planning? Do you have no idea where you went wrong in the first semester or do you not know what you can improve about your way of studying? Make an appointment with your student counsellor. Don't postpone it, because the 12 weeks of classes in the second semester will fly by!

Step 5: do you have specific problems?

Do you suffer from procrastination, fear of failure, sleeping problems, anxiety or fear of speaking? The Counselling Office of Ghent University offers specific training sessions (in Dutch) to help you with this. These training sessions are free of charge. Registration is required and can be done from 7 February at 9:30. For the students of the faculty of Arts and Philosophy there is also an online session 'Tackling Procrastination Behaviour' via Teams on Monday 7 March at 20:00 (registration is not required).

Do you have a learning disability or a functional impairment, or are you chronically ill and have you not yet applied for a Special Status (in Dutch)? If so, do so as soon as possible (and by 25 March at the latest). For questions about the Special Status, please contact Evelien Halewyck (as of 9 February Charlotte De Lange) of the contact point Students & Functional Impairment (Aanspreekpunt Student & Functiebeperking) (in Dutch).

Do you need language advice or do you want to make an appointment with a student doctor or psychologist? Then take a look at the services on offer on the 'Wel-in-je-vel' page (in Dutch). 

Finally: do you doubt whether you want to continue your current study programme after the feedback? Contact your student counsellor as soon as possible to discuss this and contact the learning track counsellor of the study programme to which you might want to transfer to find out which course units you can still enrol for there. Because of the learning account (in Dutch) and study progress policy (Education and Examination Code 2021-2022, article 24) it is not worthwhile to postpone a decided transfer to next academic year.

 

Good luck and always welcome!

An Vierstraete, Milena De Wael, Klaar Vanopstal en Nele Debaene
Student counsellors for first-year students