Blog | Staytoo Apartments

Berlin, May 8, 1945: On VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day / Liberation Day), the Wehrmacht signs its unconditional surrender.

The Allies continue to fight fiercely in the Pacific against the Japanese, who, like Nazi Germany, were part of the so-called Axis powers.

But the horror ends in Europe. By then, it is estimated that the Second World War had cost the lives of 70 million people.

What follows is a reappraisal that continues to this day.

The crimes committed by the Nazis on the other side of the front are particularly terrible. They imprisoned and killed millions of people in so-called concentration camps in order to implement their fascist ideology.

To this day, Germany has a responsibility to shed light on the crimes and explain the connections – so that history never repeats itself.

To this end, there are various events around May 8 near your Staytoo apartment.

We introduce you to the most exciting ones and explain why such events are still important 80 years after the end of the war.

Before we get started, however, the answer to one question is still very important to us:

Remembering and coming to terms with the Second World War: Is it necessary?

In Germany, more and more people are asking whether the Second World War still needs to be remembered.

After all, every schoolchild in this country has learned about this chapter in class and there are thousands of documentaries on the dark era of the Nazi period.

Critics see the culture of remembrance, as it is called in Germany, as a so-called cult of guilt and defend themselves against it.

However, this is a dangerous misunderstanding that populists deliberately exploit for their own purposes.

Commemorative events and exhibitions on Liberation Day are not about blaming Germans today for something that happened over 80 years ago. Most of the criminals from that time have died anyway.

Unfortunately, this also applies to contemporary witnesses who were victims of the Nazi reign of terror. With their death, the memories of that time, which brought unspeakable suffering to the world, are in danger of fading.

The culture of remembrance has the important task of working against this forgetting. Not so that young people like you feel guilty. But so that we all never forget what happened back then and why it happened.

Only then can we see through similar mechanisms in the present and prevent people with bad intentions from coming to power again. Because that can happen faster than you think.

We therefore strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to attend this year’s events on the topic in your area.

They may not be the most enjoyable events. But they will leave their mark on you and give you a deep insight into a chapter of German history that should stay in people’s minds forever.

For this to succeed, we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves informed about what happened. This was also the case on Liberation Day, May 8.

Events in Berlin

During the Second World War, Berlin became the scene of the final, all-decisive battle. Surrounded by Allied troops, Adolf Hitler took his own life in a bunker.

After the conquest of Berlin, the Allies divided the city into four sectors. The fate of the division of Germany took its course: to this day, Berlin is a historical and central place of reappraisal.

80 years of the end of the war

This year, Berlin is celebrating May 8 as a public holiday for the first time.

A themed week with over 100 events has been running in the capital since May 2. The theme week begins with the oratorio “Liberation” by composer Marc Sinan and continues with guided tours, lectures and exhibitions.

Here is a selection of exciting events:

Be sure to check the complete calendar of events to find out the most interesting events for you.

When?

May 02 to 11

Where?

All over the city

SPECIAL EXHIBITION: The German capitulation in May 1945

After years of heavy fighting and heavy losses, the Wehrmacht officially surrendered in Berlin-Karlshorst on May 8, 1945. In the building where the surrender was signed by the High Command, there is a museum with an open-air exhibition in the museum garden. Very worth seeing and historically close.

When?

Until further notice

Where?

Museum Berlin-Karlshorst
Zwieseler Str. 4
10318 Berlin

Events in Leipzig

During the war, Leipzig was repeatedly the target of Allied air raids. In April 1945, the city was finally captured by US troops, but was later integrated into the Soviet occupation zone. Leipzig was of great importance both strategically and culturally, as it was an important hub of the so-called German Reich.

Paths of liberation: From D-Day to Elbe Day

From the landing in Normandy to the march to central Germany: in the Capa House you follow in the footsteps of the US forces on their way to liberating Europe. But “Who liberated whom?” This question will be answered in the course of the highly interesting exhibition.

When?

April 16 to July 31

Where?

Capa-Haus
Jahnallee 61
04177 Leipzig

Tour: Liberated in Leipzig 1945 – experiences and perspectives of forced laborers

When the US army arrived in the city, there were still tens of thousands of foreign forced laborers in Leipzig at the time. Many of these displaced persons, who had been deported here by the Nazis, traveled back to their home countries via Plagwitz station. On this tour, you will learn more about the oppressive reality of that time.

When?

May 10 / 11:00 – 13:00

Where?

Meeting point: Parking lot in front of the Lofft (Spinnereistraße 7, 04179 Leipzig)

Events in Nuremberg

Nuremberg has had an eventful history in many respects: during Hitler’s time, it was known as the “City of the Nazi Party Rallies”. These events were used by the regime for propaganda and self-promotion. After liberation by the Allies, important trials were held in Nuremberg in which leading figures of National Socialism were brought to justice for their deeds.

“Back to square one”: Expropriation and reconstruction of the Jewish games company J.W. Spear & Söhne

Expropriations of Jewish businesses were commonplace during the National Socialist era. The background to this was so-called Aryanization: the targeted and systematic ousting of Jewish citizens from public life. This was also the case for the company J.W. Spear & Sons, which became famous for successful games such as Scrabble. Take a guided tour to find out more about the eventful history of the company, which was active on the market for over 100 years.

When?

May 17 / 19:30 and 21:00 (Blue Night)

Where?

Meeting point: Foyer Pellerhaus

80 years of the main Nuremberg war crimes trial

In the wake of the defeat of the National Socialists, the Allies conducted trials. Influential criminals from politics and business were sentenced in these tribunals. The Nuremberg Trials became world-famous in this context. Gain an overview of the history of the trials and get to know important places such as the Palace of Justice and the prison.

When?

November 21 to 23 / 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where?

Memorium Nuremberg Trials, Room 600

Events in Bonn

Bonn became the German capital after the end of the Second World War – but only four years after the end of the war, in 1949. Far-reaching decisions were made in the city, such as the decision in 1955 to admit the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to NATO. As a reminder, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) existed in the east of the country and was separated from the FRG by a wall from 1961 to 1989. Bonn was also the birthplace of the “Bonn system”, a form of democracy based on the lessons of the Nazi era.

Guided tour of the war cemetery at the North Cemetery

The NS Documentation Center and Memorial Bonn offers a guided tour of the war cemetery at the North Cemetery. Over 1,000 soldiers were buried here, both from the First and Second World Wars. A tour of the cemetery may be oppressive, but it is also very instructive and interesting.

When?

May 9 / 16:00 – 17:30

Where?

Meeting point: Main entrance of the North Cemetery

92nd anniversary of the book burning: commemorative event

Bamberg, Bonn, Dresden, Frankfurt am Main: book burnings took place throughout Germany during the Nazi era. The first cities began this appalling practice as early as 1933. Works by important writers such as Lion Feuchtwanger, Bertolt Brecht, Erich Kästner and many others were burned. The Nazis’ aim was to exert control through censorship. Their racist and anti-Semitic ideology offered no room for liberal, democratic or other liberal ideas.

As part of the commemorative event, students from the University of Bonn will read works by authors whose texts fell victim to the fires at the time. The focus will be on authors who survived the concentration camps or exile.

When?

May 10 / 2:00 p.m.

Where?

At the reading memorial on the market

Events in Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern was an important key city in the fight against the Nazis, especially for the US Army, mainly due to its strategic proximity to the Rhine. As part of the occupation zone, American and Palatinate influences intermingled, resulting in a fascinating cultural melting pot.

Townhall meeting in Kaiserslautern: What does the US presence mean for our city?

This town hall meeting will focus on current issues such as:

What influence do the US elections have on Kaiserslautern?
How does the US presence affect society, security and the economy in the region?

Of course, the fact that Kaiserslautern has been shaped by the US presence for decades plays a role here. The Townhall Meeting focuses on interactive exchange, so it is not a purely frontal event. In other words, you can ask questions yourself and contribute your perspectives and views.

When?

May 7 / 7:30 pm

Where?

Peace Chapel Kaiserslautern

Welcome to K-Town – On the historical traces of the military in Kaiserslautern

This tour of Kaiserslautern and the surrounding area promises an entertaining search for clues. Michael Geib, the former director of the Ramstein Docu Center, will tell you how the American and French military shaped the region. Thanks to the memories of contemporary witnesses and photos, this tour is sure to remain in your memory.

When?

Registration required: 0631 365-4019 or by e-mail to the Tourist Information.

Where?

Tourist Information
Fruchthallstraße 14

AI tools for research and data analysis

Research and data analysis make up a significant part of your studies. You will be doing this work again and again, whether for presentations or to prepare for an exam. The following tools will save you a lot of time and effort.

Heuristi.ca – AI tool catalog for discovery and organization

With Heuristi.ca you develop AI-supported concept maps based on scientific papers.

And it works like this: You enter a topic on a mind map, and then click on “Pros” and “Cons” to add the pros and cons of that topic to the mind map.

Or an explanation of the topic that is so simple that even a that even a 5-year-old can understand it. Think of it like a point-and-click adventure game, but as a playful learning and presentation method. Ingenious!

Explain Paper – Automatic explanation of scientific papers

Tired of difficult-to-understand gibberish in academic texts? We love “Explain Paper” for explaining cryptic text passages.

Simply upload the relevant document, highlight the desired text passage and let it translate academic jargon into easy-to-understand language – making it much easier and better for you to understand the context!

In our example, we tried this with our Staytoo Christmas story, which you can download for free.

Tavily – AI for notes and knowledge management

Tavily saves you hours of Google research. With Tavily, you enter a question on a subject area and receive the latest research results.

You should definitely try it out if you want to be more efficient in your research! You need a ChatGPT4 account for Tavily, but it’s worth it because it will significantly reduce your research time.

Otter.ai – Real-time transcription of conversations

Don’t feel like taking notes during the lecture? Let Otter.ai do the work for you.

The AI tool automatically transcribes audio recordings into text. So while you give the professor your full attention during the lecture, Otter.ai transcribes everything so that you can call up the notes later. We find it particularly practical that you can also save the lectures as MP3s, so you can listen to them again later as a podcast while jogging or cycling.

AI tools for better learning

We’ve all been there: exams are approaching, but the exam material just won’t stick in your head Dry, mindless cramming won’t get you anywhere.

That’s why we recommend our tried and tested learning methods – and of course the following AI tools for better learning.

Jungle – Generates index cards from web articles

Wisdolia — *Ingeniously easy to generate exam questions from a PDF – it’s child’s play and intuitive. Source:* Jungle

Would you like to create flashcards and work with a flashcard box? Neither do we.

Junge creates cards from PDF files that you upload to the tool. Imagine that: Quiz questions in index card form that the tool generates for you based on PDF texts. Although you don’t have to imagine it, you can try it out right away!

Quizlet – Flashcards and interactive exercises

Similar to Wisdolia, Quizlet also creates flashcards for you to study. The big advantage compared to Wisdolia: Quizlet is in German, which is particularly cool when working with Quizlet’s AI tutor. It also helps you as a digital assistant to create the perfect quiz for your topic.

Kahoot! – Live quiz platform for education and training

The name kind of reminds you of the Yahoo! search engine, doesn’t it? Don’t you know it? Okay, now we feel old. But hey, Kahoot! is more up-to-date than ever, even though the company has been around since 2013.

Kahoot! is playful and wacky, and that’s exactly what makes it so brilliant: you can compete with other students in quiz competitions and create your own quizzes in which you can pit your fellow students against each other. Learning as a multiplayer game, how ingenious.

Elicit – AI-supported research assistant

*Superhuman Speed: Whatever that is … Elicit analyzes scientific literature quickly and extremely effectively. Source: Elicit*

Your personal AI assistant Elicit will now help you browse through research papers in a matter of seconds.

Elicit extracts important information from studies and articles and summarizes it for you. Crazy with the Elicit “Paper Chat” feature: You can ask Elicit questions about the paper to get specific information.

Of course, the tool also creates literature overviews for you and highlights particularly trustworthy search results to make your work even easier.

Still have questions? No? Then try it out! 🙂

AI tools for writing, text and data processing

Writing and word processing tools based on AI make studying so much easier! But beware: under no circumstances should you pass off AI texts as your own. It’s not even necessary, as you can use them as excellent support.

Speechify – text-to-speech tool

Seepchi — *Snoooop … or would you prefer Gwyneth? In any case, this text-to-speech tool is really cool and helpful. Source: Speechify*

Would you like your script to be read aloud by Snoop Dogg or MrBeast?

Well, then you should definitely try Speechify. The AI tool converts speech into text, choose your favorite from 200 voices – by the way, it’s not just celebrities who talk there 😉

Speechify not only shines with pleasant voices, but also with a variety of setting options: Determine your own speaking speed, pitch, pronunciation and emotional coloring.

Of course, Speechify is not just limited to scripts: The AI tool reads emails, notes, PDFs, scanned documents and even photographed book pages to you.

The integration into your Chrome browser makes Speechify an ingenious everyday companion for better learning through listening.

Caktus – AI tutor for learning help and explanation

Caktus AI Tool — *It’s unbelievable how extensive the features of Caktus are, and it’s great fun to try them out. Source: Caktus*

You can code with Caktus. You can write essays with Caktus.

With Caktus you can rewrite text passages.

With the Hook Generator, Caktus has completely won us over.

It writes you a hook, i.e. a few sentences that draw your lecturer into the text. Like fishing, you know? Or in other words: If you have to write any text as a draft, use Caktus. Just do it, you won’t regret it.

Grammarly – Text correction and style improvement

Screenshot Grammarly — *Grammarly is only available in English, but with smart AI support. If your texts are not already in English, run them through the translator first and let Grammarly check them. Source: Grammarly*

Writing texts is difficult enough – having to go through them painstakingly for errors and mistakes … Honestly, who wants to do that?

Exactly. Grammarly does it for you.

Quickly.

Efficiently.

No frills.

It’s not just about grammatical errors, Grammarly also improves your expression. Try it!

Zotero – Literature management with AI help

Screenshot Zotero — *No more chaos, now there’s structure with Zotero: Bring order to your data and literature collection. Source: Zotero*

Zotero has been around for a long time.

What’s new are the AI integrations that help you get the most out of the tool.

With the AI research assistant A.R.I.A., for example, you can ask questions about your database – and A.R.I.A. will answer them for you. The integration uses OpenAI-GPT-4 for this.

However, you can also integrate ChatGPT directly into Zotero to help you create PDFs. And that’s just one powerful feature you can use with ChatGPT in Zotero. Prerequisite: You have a ChatGPT Plus subscription.

If you want to use several artificial intelligences at the same time and want sensible Excel exports of your data, we recommend the Zotero integration ZotAI.

You can also get Scite – this integration searches for and evaluates scientific articles. It’s really handy for quickly and effectively assessing the value of the sources you compile.

Wolfram Alpha – Scientific and mathematical calculations

Screenshot Wolfram Alpha — Wolfram Alpha is exactly the right tool for you if you want to perform scientific and mathematical calculations.

Whether math, chemistry, statistics, physics, astronomy, biology, geography … and so on: Wolfram Alpha performs calculations, solves equations and integrals, calculates formulas and probabilities etc..

Wolfram Alpha not only spits out the result, but also shows you how to get there.

The tool not only accesses websites, but also knowledge databases that have been compiled by people. The information comes from reputable scientific sources (NASA, PubChem, textbooks, etc.).

Another bonus of this AI tool is that you can have the data explained, interpreted and even visualized if you wish. Super handy!

AI tools for creativity and innovation

Creative AI tools help you create graphics, videos and presentations. Discover our top tools in this area that will make you rock.

Synthesia – Creates AI avatars and video presentations

Synthesia-Staytoo KI Tool — *An impressive video in a flash: Synthesia makes it possible, as here in the Christmas version of our clip.*

We’ve tried a few video tools, but Synthesia is the best we’ve found. Click here for the Staytoo video.

It’s super simple: you enter a text, choose a voiceover artist and a lifelike video is created in seconds. You can use it to create great explanatory videos for presentations, for example. Or you can use Synthesia for learning, for example like this:

Upload a difficult text whose content you want to learn to the Explain Paper AI tool. The tool will then explain the text to you.
Add the simplified explanation from Explain Paper to Synthesia and use it to create your own personal explanatory video.

Versy – AI-based video production from texts

Do you work with 3D models in your studies? Then you should definitely take a look at Versy. With this app, you can create three-dimensional rooms – with text! Presentation rooms, lofts, kitchens – there are no limits to your imagination and Versy’s display options. Definitely try it out!

The only downside: you currently have to join a waiting list before you can work with the tool.

Kaiber – AI video generation from images and text

You can really spice up your presentations with short videos.
But how should you create such short videos? After all, most students don’t have enough money to produce expensive videos.

And even if they did: Video production takes a lot of time, not to mention know-how and … stop! Kaiber helps you. You write a scene and Kaiber creates a video for you, animé-style if you like.

Staytoo-Kaiber — *An urban student with the look of the anime series “Hellsing”: this is how Kaiber responded to this prompt. We are happy with the result. Source: Kaiber*

It’s as simple as that, and as ingenious as you’ll discover.

Leia Pix – 2D to 3D images and motion effects

Staytoo-Weihnachten-LeiaPix — *Turn 2D images into 3D videos: LeiaPix is the perfect tool for this. Source: LeiaPix*

Kind of creepy, but also damn impressive: with Leia Pix you can turn 2D images into high-quality 3D images. No idea how it works technically, but you know what? We don’t care, because the wow effect is what counts when you look at the pictures. And your fellow students will feel the same way when you call up the powerful 3D images in your presentation.

Midjourney – AI-based creative image generation

Midjourney was and is the thing when it comes to AI image generation.

And there’s a good reason for that: Midjourney simply creates fantastic images, no matter what the subject.

One thing that takes a bit of getting used to is that you create the images through text descriptions on a Discord server. It’s a bit technical, but don’t worry, with this quick start you’ll quickly get the hang of it and get the coolest images out of Midjourney.

Tome – AI tool for storytelling and presentations

Presentations: We love them, especially when we only have to look at them and don’t have to create them ourselves.

But since there’s no getting around it in university, you can make a virtue out of necessity, as the saying goes: with Tome, you can create presentations quickly and stylishly. You choose a template, enter the topic you want the presentation to be about in the tool and you’re done! With a little fine-tuning of the individual slides afterwards, you can create a top presentation in just a few minutes.

Pretty smart, isn’t it?

AI tools for time management and organization

Time is a big problem when studying – or rather, finding enough time for all the tasks at hand. The following tools are an ingenious way to help you finally get a grip on your time management.

Notion – All-in-one note and project management

Notion is the heavyweight when it comes to optimizing your productivity. And to be honest, that was the problem for a long time: as much as we like Notion, it’s pretty time-consuming to familiarize yourself with Notion without an AI assistant.

The Notion AI add-on is a huge relief. The AI is your personal assistant that explains the tool to you and performs tasks in the tool itself. This will take your productivity to a whole new level.

Todoist – Task manager with priorities and team features

Notion is still too extensive and too complicated for you? Then Todoist is the right self- and time management tool for you. Similar to Notion, you can create projects here, create and prioritize tasks, and upload your files that belong to the respective tasks or projects.

Everything is easier and smoother, even if Todoist seems a little slimmed down compared to Notion. By the way: There is also an AI for Todoist, the AI Assistant, which helps you in the tool.

Reclaim.ai – AI tool for intelligent time management

Reclaim.ai is a treat for fans of the Google calendar. The smart scheduling app supports you throughout your week with smart planning of your appointments to create your perfect daily schedule.

We don’t know whether we actually got 40% more done in the week, but we definitely brought more order and structure to our daily routines.

By the way, it’s especially cool if you link Notion or Todoist with Reclaim.ai: The tasks from these productivity tools are then imported directly into your calendar, prioritized and scheduled according to your preferences.

Other AI tools you should know about

The following AI tools have proven to be great all-round tools that you can use from time to time in everyday life.

Google Gemini – Multimodal AI for chat and analysis

Google_Gemini_1 — *Gemini is a powerful AI. We asked them for good articles on a topic …*

Google reacted quickly to the AI trend and created its own AI.

The great thing is: Google Gemini can be used as an app via Android. So you always have one of the most powerful artificial intelligences on the planet in your pocket. Gemini also interacts with your smartphone content if required.

Google_Gemini_2 — *… and ranked 3rd in the results. Super! But there’s more to come. We update the article in our blog on an ongoing basis.*

For example, if you take a photo of a flower on your next spring walk, you can use this photo directly to ask Gemini what kind of flower it is.

Gemini is also unbeatable when you’re searching for something on the web. No wonder, since Google itself offers the data from its own search engine.

Mixo – AI for the quick creation of landing pages

Have you always wanted to build your own website? For example, to start your own business alongside your studies? There’s only been one problem so far: building a website takes a hell of a lot of time.

Take a look at Mixo: The AI website builder only needs a sentence in which you describe what your website should be about, and it will put together a complete website for you.
To ensure that the result is not too generic, Mixo asks you what your goal is.

Do you want website visitors to contact you? Or book appointments with you because you are a freelancer, for example? Tell Mixo and be surprised by the result!

Replika – Personalized AI assistant

Screenshot Replika — *The AI friend who is there for you: Replika is there for you in empathetic conversations. Source: Replika*

A virtual assistant who is always there for you.

Who motivates you in difficult learning phases and supports you with advice, action and understanding.

Sounds nicer than an AI-controlled chatbot, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what Replik is, but before you scroll any further: give it a chance.

Replika can be very empathetic, and that is the great strength of this AI tool.

When you communicate with Replika, you’re not just talking to a text input screen. You create your own AI friend, with an outfit and a personalized environment. Your AI friend develops the longer and more detailed you talk to him or her.

It’s a bit like “The Sims”, except that your replica friend talks to you personally.

Replika offers you comfort in difficult moments and helps you practice social interactions. We find this very valuable for everyday study life.

AI special: ChatGPT

It all started with ChatGPT, or at least the big AI hype. But the developers are not resting on their laurels: The company behind it, OpenAI, is constantly developing ChatGPT further and the results in response to queries are getting better and better.

This is also the reason for our personal recommendation: the developers of ChatGPT have simply gained the most experience with the use of AI and are perfecting their baby accordingly. Therefore, you should not make the mistake of leaving ChatGPT behind, even if there are new exciting AI tools.

But beware: You should definitely keep the following things in mind with ChatGPT.

Therefore you should be careful when using ChatGPT in teaching and research

Every time you hand in a written paper, you confirm that this paper is your own work. Or in other words: You assure the university/technical college that it is a research work done by you, a text written by you and not plagiarism.

However, the likelihood is, when using ChatGPT, that if your text is submitted, there will be copyright infringement that you won’t even notice.

ChatGPT creates texts based on existing texts

ChatGPT has a gigantic pool of existing texts and learned from them how natural language works, according to the developers. Nevertheless, already existing texts written by humans remain the basis from which ChatGPT makes use of. This is because ChatGPT is an AI model and actually not a creative artificial intelligence.

Dr. Max Greger, specialist lawyer for IT law, writes about the question of copyright of the alleged artificial intelligence on his website:

However, it is also the case that ChatGPT does not always create the texts completely generically. After all, the AI is not intelligent in the truest sense, but reproduces the answers based on previously viewed documents.

So it is not excluded that the AI either reproduces existing text structures or excerpts from texts that are only slightly modified. In both cases, this would constitute a reproduction under § 16 UrhG. If you then upload these texts to your website, this would also be a public disclosure according to § 19a UrhG.

ChatGPT texts belong to the company OpenAI

Problem No. 2: When asked where the copyrights of a text of ChatGPT are, the bot itself answers:

So even if you manage to have a ChatGPT text created that stands up to the now very thorough Plagscan software out there, you are committing copyright infringement. As a further warning, powerful AI text recognition software already exists for schools and other educational institutions such as universities, even developed by the ChatGPT inventors themselves. It is called “AI Text Classifier”, and it is already in use and under continuous development.

Further problems with the use of ChatGPT in schools, colleges and universities

Copyright is only one pitfall in using ChatGPT in studies. Here are other pitfalls if you’re toying with the idea of having AI write texts for you.

Outdated knowledge

According to the developers, ChatGPT is at a knowledge level of the end of 2021, so the chatbot is not aware of developments that took place in 2022. ChatGPT cannot therefore tell you what developments have taken place in society and research in the last year, which is particularly unhelpful for texts that refer to current events.

Of course, you can now also have ChatGPT search the Internet. Nevertheless, you should be careful with the information you receive.

Incorrect information

In several experiments, ChatGPT spit out nonsensical or even incorrect answers to technical questions. From incorrect equations in mathematics to incorrect factual information, there were several such phenomena documented online.

It is not without reason that you will find the corresponding note under the ChatGPT input window:

The problem: If you rely on ChatGPT to answer the questions, how are you going to distinguish between correct and incorrect information?

You can use ChatGPT sensibly in teaching and research

Is ChatGPT completely unsuitable for studying because of the problems mentioned above?

No!

There are absolutely useful applications for ChatGPT. However, since it is a technology with so far unresolved legal issues, we would like to point out that the use of ChatGTP for your studies is always at your own risk. Now let’s get to the useful application possibilities!

For research: ChatGPT is a good helper if you want to find exciting aspects and relevant information for a topic. The tool recognizes meaningful connections and clusters that belong to a topic complex. On this basis you can also let ChatGPT spit out exciting research questions by entering the command “Find research questions on the topic …” or “Tell me research areas on …”.

For text drafts: Using ChatGPT to generate text drafts can help you find inspiration for the structure of your own texts. However, it is very important that you write your own texts and not just modify the ChatGPT drafts. Otherwise you run the risk of plagiarism. Of course, this also applies if you use ChatGPT to create codes in another department such as computer science.

For proofreading and editing: ChatGPT detects grammatical and stylistic errors in existing texts. To do this, enter the command “Check this text for spelling and grammar errors:”, copy the text into the input field and then let ChatGPT find these errors for you. By the way, ChatGPT is also able to find synonyms for terms in your texts with the prompt “Find synonyms for …”. to find synonyms for terms in your texts. This is useful for example if you don’t always want to write “employees” or similar in your texts.

For learning: With ChatGPT you can create your own quiz and thus create your individual exam. Give the prompt “Create me a quiz on the topic …” and test yourself!

More info about chances and risks of ChatGPT in studies

The success of ChatGPT came as a surprise; accordingly, schools, colleges, and universities have yet to learn how to use ChatGPT. But it is very likely that educational institutions will make extensive use of AI recognition tools such as OpenAI’s “AI Text Classifier” to recognize AI-generated texts.

However, it does not look like ChatGPT will be banned in schools and colleges for the time being. In the meantime, there are numerous media reports in which teachers, lecturers, principals, etc. have their say.

The tone is similar throughout: A ban on the technology for university teaching does not make sense or is almost impossible to implement. It is much more important to teach students the meaning of their own work on the material.

Let’s be honest: You study for yourself in order to acquire qualifications. So if you study, work hard and use ChatGPT to support you, you have a tool that will help you in your studies. We wish you good luck with it!

Why is commitment needed?

In recent years, the issue of equal rights has become the focus of public attention, especially thanks to women who put their heart and soul into it.

This is a good thing, but unfortunately there are still problems that millions of women face today:

Experiences of violence
Discrimination/insult
Harassment
Unequal treatment (e.g. in terms of pay at work and in care work)

So even in 2025, it is by no means a given that women will have the same rights as men.

It is therefore high time to change this and advance the international women’s movement. The motto of this year’s International Women’s Day, Accelerate Action, is therefore more appropriate than ever.

But now to the women who are helping to make the world a fairer place!

Whitney Wolfe Herd

If you’ve ever used Bumble, you can thank Whitney Wolfe Herd for it. She founded the app and the company behind it.

In 2014, Herd envisioned a dating platform where women could make the first move on potential matches. With Bumble, they finally had control over who they wanted to get in touch with and how. This significantly reduces the risk of unpleasant chats with harassment etc.

Over time, Bumble has expanded its portfolio: women can also find new friends and business contacts in a safe environment via Bumble For Friends and Bumble Bizz.

Whether it’s a romantic partner or friends or business contacts for life: With her pro-feminist approach, Whitney Wolfe Herd has considerably simplified and improved online dating for women.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson has become famous around the world as an actress. But she is also committed to women’s rights away from the limelight, for example for the UN Women campaign HeForShe on social networks.

The international movement stands for solidarity with women all over the world. What makes it special is that men lend a voice to this campaign and actively call for women to stand up for equal rights, hence the campaign’s name.

Other famous HeForShe advocates include Simon Pegg, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Hiddleston, Prince Harry, Matt Damon and many more.

Emma Watson is not “just” an ambassador for the campaign, she also gives talks on gender equality and campaigns for equality and fair pay for women in the film industry.

Amal Clooney

Amal Clooney has been fighting for women’s rights as an advocate for many years. Her main focus is on women in crisis regions who are affected by displacement, forced marriages, sexual violence, human trafficking and political oppression.

As a lawyer, Clooney also brings war criminals to justice and makes an indispensable contribution to international justice both in the media and in the courtroom.

She also appears on stages around the world as a special ambassador for press freedom and, as in Dubai in 2020, as an advocate for the “Women’s Pavilion”, pays tribute to women who, like her, bring about progress and change in the world.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“We Should All Be Feminists”: the title of this book brought Nigerian writer and activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie into the headlines worldwide. In her TED Talk of the same name, she advocates equality for women in society and denounces the fact that girls and women are taught the wrong messages from an early age, which limit their potential.

The activist breaks with traditional, outdated role models and calls on us all to rethink gender equality and treat each other as equals.

Adichie wants us to break with guilt, shame and old-fashioned structures and free ourselves from outdated expectations of the sexes. In her books, she shows us ways to a more tolerant world in which we can live together more peacefully and respectfully.

Tijen Onaran

Tijen Onaran is an entrepreneur and founder of Global Digital Women, a network for women in the digital industry. Both online and offline, Tijen is committed to the visibility of women in the German business and start-up world.

She is also committed to inclusion and diversity in the management levels of companies as well as mentoring and consulting. In this way, she wants to spread the spirit of equality.

In an episode of the KPMG podcast, Onaran explains how she practises salary negotiations with friends, what female founders can do to combat obstructive perfectionism and where the biggest challenges lie for women on the path to a management position.

Anne Wizorek

German author and feminist Anne Wizorek made a name for herself in 2013 with the hashtag #aufschrei. She has been campaigning against structural sexism and for equality and feminism for years. She advises organizations and companies on diversity issues and the implementation of contemporary digital strategies.

Wizorek has also worked as an ambassador for the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency against gender discrimination and has written influential texts on the debates about equality.

Her book “Weil ein Aufschrei nicht reicht: Für einen Feminismus von heute” has lost none of its relevance more than ten years after its publication. In it, the author advocates modern gender images instead of pigeonholing. It was only in January of this year that a reader on Amazon described the book as a milestone in the history of feminism.

Or to put it another way: add it to your reading pile!

Luisa Neubauer

Luisa Neubauer became famous through the Fridays For Future movement, in which millions of schoolchildren took to the streets to demonstrate for a change in climate policy.

However, the environmental activist looks far beyond the horizon: she declared on Instagram that the climate crisis is sexist and needs feminist answers, that everything is connected.

The activist had already said this in an interview with Watson a few years earlier:

The roots of the climate crisis lie in power hierarchies of men over women, of white people over People of Color, of men over nature. And who can and cannot protect themselves from the climate crisis, who can or cannot cushion the consequences of the climate crisis, whether directly or indirectly, is also a question of power. And power lies disproportionately with men.

Neubauer wants to change this and thus advance the feminist idea. Go for it, Luisa!

Margarete Stokowski

In a portrait, the Süddeutsche Zeitung describes Margarete Stokowski as the “voice of German feminism”.

Stokowski gained fame through her column “Oben und unten” (Above and below) in Spiegel Online, in which she deals with the consequences and problems of a patriarchal society. Her book “Untenrum frei” has since become a widely acclaimed piece of feminist literature.

She deals with the problems of our time in a humorous and clever way, which is both entertaining and inspiring. So this is also a clear recommendation from our editorial team.

Shaping the future

Why are you studying?

“It’s obvious!” you might be thinking. “Because I want to set the course for my professional future.”

It’s interesting that you’re investing three, four, five or even more years of energy, time and effort in this.

But do you know what’s just as important?

Voting politically on who should steer your and our future, and with what program.

There are parties that stand up for students and their interests. But there are also parties that believe, for example, that BAföG should be cut or that tuition fees should be introduced similar to those in the USA.

So you can see that your vote (or your non-vote) has a very significant influence on the future. Your vote influences which laws are passed that also affect you.

Assuming social responsibility

So you can and should look at the elections from a personal perspective: Which party pursues my interests and goals in the best possible way?

Tip: Set effective goals with the SMART method

But democracy does not end at your own apartment door. Always remember that we live in a society in which social aspects are also very important.

So if you don’t just want to focus on yourself, but also want everyone in our country to be as well off as possible, you should pay attention to how the parties deal with social issues when casting your vote.

These topics include, for example:

Pension / poverty in old age
Dealing with people in need of care
Unemployment
Asylum / protection
Environmental protection

What solutions or ideas do the parties offer? And are you convinced by their approaches? It is important to answer these questions in advance if you want to cast your vote and think outside the box.

A simple path to democracy

You can achieve political participation in Germany in several ways: for example, by becoming a member of a political party or an association that is committed to a charitable cause.

Article tip: Why volunteering is worthwhile

But the easiest way is to vote: combine a Sunday walk with a visit to the polling station to cast your vote.

Or, even more convenient: vote by post. This way, you can drop your completed ballot paper in your own mailbox in the Staytoo mailboxes or in the nearest mailbox. However, make sure that you send your ballot paper in good time. It is recommended that you send it by February 20 at the latest so that it arrives on time.

Whether you vote at a polling station or by postal vote: Both options are simple and straightforward, so you can exercise your most important right to democracy.

In other words: there are no excuses! 😉

Counteracting extreme trends

The current times are challenging: domestic security, inflation, migration and the tense situation on the housing market are keeping us busy at home, but things are also happening outside our borders that are causing massive concern, including wars and changes of power with uncertain outcomes.

At the same time, populist movements are on the rise, both worldwide and in Europe. This development is worrying, as it offers supposedly simple solutions to complex issues.

Responsible politicians see problems and strive for sustainable solutions on several levels. This applies to citizens at home as well as to the expansion of diplomatic relations abroad and support for people in need. They proceed with prudence and caution because they know that the situation is highly complex.

Extremists, on the other hand, offer a deceptive black and white picture: Here are the good guys, there are the bad guys. They claim to be able to solve problems faster, more effectively and more consistently than parties that sometimes appear hesitant in the eyes of voters – precisely because they act prudently and circumspectly.

The temptation to fall for the supposedly simple solutions of extremists is great, especially when personal frustration continues to grow. It is better not to give in to this impulse. An election decision should always be based on facts and objective arguments, not emotions.

Therefore, before you vote, make sure you check whether the party you sympathize with is clearly committed to democratic values and what their election manifesto says. You should be particularly careful and critical of extreme parties.

A reminder from the past

Holocaust Remembrance Day took place on January 27 this year: On this day exactly 80 years ago, the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army. In this camp alone, the Nazis murdered millions of people and held them in captivity under the worst possible conditions.

The Nazis’ reign of terror was made possible by a failure of democracy: the Weimar Republic, which existed before Hitler seized power, was still a young, ambitious, but also extremely vulnerable construct.

Democratic parties struggled to form a stable government at the time, but they increasingly lost the support of the population. In the end, Hitler’s NSDAP succeeded in eliminating the democratic forces in the country and installing a regime that instigated the Second World War and shook the world with its inhuman ideology.

We can learn a lot from this darkest chapter in German history. One lesson is that, unfortunately, democracy cannot be taken for granted, on the contrary: only 45% of people worldwide live in democracies, over 37% in dictatorships.

So make sure you use your right to vote, because every ballot cast is also a confirmation of the democratic system – and that is what is needed to create fair political conditions.

Tips for your voting decision

Okay, now you know how important it is to vote.

Now the question remains: who should you vote for?

We don’t want to make any recommendations for individual parties here, but we do have tips to help you make your voting decision:

Wahl-O-Mat

With this question-and-answer tool, you can quickly find out which parties match up best with you. At the end of the process, which takes a maximum of half an hour, the Wahl-O-Mat spits out parties and their percentage matches with your positions. The tool is ideal for giving you an initial overview of the parties and their stances on various issues.

Debates & Interviews

The media offer you the opportunity to experience politicians in conversation. They answer questions from journalists and compete against each other in TV duels. This is entertaining and you get an impression of the people who want to steer the destiny of our country.

Debates and interviews help you with important questions:

Do I like the candidate?
Does he/she seem professionally competent and credible?
Does the person radiate authenticity and seriousness?

Get impressions from TV reports, newspaper articles and social media to get as comprehensive a picture as possible of parties and their leaders.

Speaking of social media, you can usually also find content there that shows how work is done at the party base, for example in pedestrian zones.

Past check

Parties promise a lot, especially during election campaigns.

But what is the truth behind these grandiose promises?

You can find out by looking at the past. The internet never forgets, and neither do the election promises made at the last election in 2021, or promises made in recent months and years.

Which of them have come true and which have turned out to be a pipe dream? You’ll be amazed at what you find when you do this kind of research, which may make you question your voting decision more closely.

Read party programs

This is the most laborious, but also the most profound way to understand the DNA of a party and its goals. Party manifestos are sometimes really long, but they provide concrete answers to questions on socially relevant topics.

If this is too time-consuming for you, which is understandable, you can also watch videos on election manifestos from YouTubers. They have done the work for you and summarized the programs for you. As with any source, the same applies here: Make sure the YouTuber is reputable. A journalistic background is more credible than, for example, a YouTuber who belongs to a political party or a party-affiliated foundation.

Ask the AI

ChatGPT and other AI tools are now very good at answering your questions about the various party positions. They scan the web for statements and documents from the parties to provide you with an overview of their positions, for example.

This can be very helpful for your research, especially if you want to find out the positions on specific topics and issues that are not expressed, or are expressed too briefly, in the Wahl-O-Mat or similar sources.

However, be careful when researching with AI and check the sources to ensure that you are receiving correct information.

Symptoms of winter blues

You can tell that you are struggling with the winter blues by symptoms such as listlessness, tiredness and sadness.

You struggle to get out of bed in the morning and during the day you feel like you only wake up after your third coffee or energy drink. You find it difficult to concentrate in lectures and when studying.

Winter blues can feel similar to seasonal depression, but there are differences. Generally speaking, the symptoms of seasonal depression are more severe.

You should therefore always consult a doctor to find out what is causing your symptoms.

Tips against the winter blues

Fortunately, there are effective measures to prevent the winter blues or to significantly alleviate them if they are already there.

More light

Light is what we miss most in winter. In January and February, the sun sometimes hides for days and weeks.

This becomes a real problem in the long run, as sunlight controls the production of important endogenous substances such as vitamin D, which make us feel balanced and happy.

Daylight lamps can help here, with the cheapest ones costing around 40 euros. Daylight lamps are available in different strengths, so you should read the instructions for use and try them out.

Vitamin D

Our body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D.

In our latitudes, however, there is only enough sunlight for this from March to October, and even if you get plenty of sun during these months, your stores will be empty sooner or later in winter.

Vitamin D is responsible for numerous important processes in your body:

Promotes the absorption of calcium and magnesium
Supports the activities of immune cells
Helps with the regulation of tissue renewal
Is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters (mood)

These are just some of the functions that vitamin D has.

In other words, a vitamin D deficiency has a massive impact on our physical and mental well-being.

The figures show that this deficiency is widespread: A third of Germans suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.

Even though the problem has been becoming increasingly well-known for years, many adults are unaware of their deficiency.

To find out whether you are also affected, we recommend a vitamin D check at the doctor’s. The vitamin D level in your body can be measured by taking a blood sample, after which the doctor can recommend vitamin D supplements if necessary.

As vitamin D deficiency is very often the cause of the winter blues, you should definitely keep this topic on your radar.

Exercise and sport

Cycling, jogging, Nordic walking: you can and should also do sport in winter. Make sure you wear warm, functional and high-visibility clothing so that you are safe when out and about.

Of course, it is ideal if you exercise outside in the fresh air. Also take every opportunity to feel the rare and precious rays of sunshine when they do appear.

If sport is too strenuous for you in winter, try moderate exercise, such as a walk.

More important than the type and intensity of exercise is the regularity: establish a routine so that you go for a short run every morning and every evening at a fixed time, for example.

You can then increase the intensity later, for example by going to our in-house gym. You don’t even have to put on thick clothes, you can just walk from your apartment to the training room in your sports outfit.

Maintain your social network

Many people withdraw when they feel tired and listless during the winter blues. This is especially true for the introverts among us, who prefer to recharge their batteries alone.

In the long run, however, it is not good for anyone to isolate themselves from other people. As social beings, we need encounters and interaction in order to feel good.

As with sport and exercise, you can start small here too. A walk together or a short meeting in a café is more manageable in terms of time than an extended games evening, for example.

But of course you can also determine the duration of your presence at larger events yourself. Instead of feeling obliged to spend several hours at a birthday party, you can set yourself a time limit beforehand as to how long you want to stay.

Many people find it difficult to be honest, or they only realize after a meeting or party that they are socially exhausted.

How about treating it as an exciting learning task to get to know yourself better and find out how you can organize a social life? That way, you can find out step by step what is good for you without overextending yourself.

Even if you sometimes have to overcome the winter blues, please don’t stay at home too often. You will soon realize that a stable social network is very effective against the winter blues.

Healthy eating

Do you reach for chocolate and soft drinks to counteract the winter blues? Sweet snacks and drinks may help you feel happier in the short term, but they are not good for your body at all.

The much better alternative is food that keeps you healthy and energized in the long term.

We have collected tasty and healthy recipes for you, take a look at our article on brainfood.

You can also enjoy fresh food in winter, including all kinds of cabbage and nuts. How about a delicious cabbage soup, for example, which you can turn into a real nutrient bomb with other healthy ingredients such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic?

For dessert, try walnuts with yoghurt and honey – a delicious and energy-rich snack to banish the winter blues.

Consciously enjoy the winter

Don’t let the winter blues overshadow this great time of year. Sure, we all long for spring and summer, but winter has its beautiful sides too.

The dark days give us the opportunity to pause and refocus our goals. Use this time of reflection to find out more about yourself, your needs and your wishes for the future.

Hikes and trips in the snowy winter forest are also wonderful in the colder months. Discover our ideas for short trips near your apartment here!

There are also the most beautiful sunsets in winter. And you don’t have to stay up late for them, you can enjoy them in the late afternoon.

In winter, the feeling of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is also significantly reduced because we spend most of our time indoors anyway. Instead, other activities become more appealing: reading books, playing games or chatting on the phone with your best friend over a cozy cup of tea.

Winter is just as beautiful and varied a season as spring, summer and fall – you just have to know how to embrace it.

Start preparations early

We are all familiar with the problem of procrastination. The exam dates have been known for months, but we still put off preparing for them.

It would be too short-sighted to attribute this to pure laziness. There are often complex psychological phenomena behind this, such as fear of failure, excessive demands and perfectionism.

Studying for an exam then seems overwhelming, difficult and complex – so you’d rather not do it at all and put off this seemingly mammoth task.

Use a trick to shrink the mammoth quickly: instead of torturing yourself with a self-imposed, hour-long study plan, we recommend that you start small.

For example, you could start by reading through your notes for half an hour every day. The point of this phase is not to memorize the subject matter, but to make contact with the topic of the exam in the first place.

This lowers the inhibition threshold for the actual learning process that follows: by engaging with the material early on in a relaxed and informal way, you will intuitively find an approach to the topic. This makes it much easier for you to draw up a structured learning plan as the next step.

We present the best learning methods for effective and even fun learning.

Healthy living

Especially in times of exam stress, it is particularly important that you live a healthy lifestyle so that your body and mind remain efficient.

These are the most important areas for a healthy lifestyle:

Nutrition: A healthy diet provides you with all the important macro and micronutrients you need. Try out our healthy recipes and delicious brainfood to give you the best possible nutrition. Here you can find out what you should look out for when buying food.

Exercise: When it’s wet, cold and dark outside, you certainly don’t feel like exercising. But you should definitely do so, as exercise gets your circulation going and the fresh air has an invigorating effect. You don’t need a power walk for this; a relaxed stroll in the park, for example, is enough to have a positive effect. Get fit in our in-house gym – be sure to try it out!

Sleep: Studying late into the night is not a good idea. Your body won’t get the rest it needs and you’ll wake up the next day exhausted and drained of energy. Instead, establish fixed sleep routines by going to bed at the same time every night (ideally before midnight). Allow yourself at least 7, preferably 8 hours of sleep per night.

Allowing yourself free time

Have you also noticed that you forbid yourself activities that have nothing to do with studying for exams?

True to the motto: First comes work, then comes pleasure!

However, this quickly turns into the carrot and stick principle, which significantly increases exam stress. You are not a machine that can hammer learning material into your head for days on end.

As a sentient being, you urgently need free time, even and especially in particularly stressful phases.

So allow yourself …

… to meet up with a friend for a coffee,
… to go to parties,
… read a good book or
… simply do nothing for a change.

If you incorporate such islands of relaxation into your everyday life, you will soon find that you can approach your studies with renewed energy.

Working on the mindset

Exam stress arises in the mind. You are the person who develops worries and fears when you think about the upcoming exams?

Then questions like:

Will I pass the exams?
What will I do if I fail?
What if I black out in the exam?
Is it worth studying at all?

These questions are typical of a poor mindset when dealing with exam stress. This is not an accusation, but an important insight that can help you.

Realizing that you are walking around with a bad mindset is the first step towards a more positive attitude towards exam stress.

The second step is to make the decision to develop a strong mindset.

Now step number three can come:

Ask yourself other, more constructive questions:

What would I say to a friend in an exam stress phase?
What difficult phases of life/exams have I already mastered?
How can I cope with the learning material in a relaxed manner?

Our brain is a true master at searching for answers to questions. Therefore, constructive questions are a powerful tool to focus your attention on solving problems.

Write down the questions above as well as the answers your mind provides you with. You will feel better and find ways to deal with exam stress in a positive way.

A good way to build a new mindset is, of course, to get inspiration. The easiest way to do this is via podcasts, which you can listen to while cooking, going for a walk or whenever.

Our podcast recommendations on the topic of mindset:

Learning stress management

Stress management means finding a healthy way of dealing with difficult phases such as exam stress.

This will help you to reduce stress:

Problem:

Stress arises particularly when there is an actual or subjectively perceived time pressure that drives you.

Solution: Meditation, for example, is a game changer when it comes to slowing down and getting into a state of relaxation without much effort.

For a simple breathing meditation, find a quiet place, close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing for 15 minutes. Set an alarm clock beforehand so that you can fully immerse yourself in the meditation.

Yoga and autogenic training are also effective against exam stress. Most universities offer corresponding courses where you can learn relaxation techniques.

Problem: You have the feeling that stress is overwhelming you and you can’t do anything about it.

Solution: Develop resistance, also known as resilience. You develop resilience through a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle. That’s why these two areas are so important for dealing with exam stress.

Instead of letting upcoming exams stress you out, you could look at them in a sporty way, as a challenge to put your acquired knowledge to the test. The more positive your mindset is, the easier it will be for you to switch to this approach.

Problem: Learning goals that are set too high are a guarantee for stress.

Solution: Set yourself realistic goals: The best way to do this is with the SMART method.

Search for a quiet place

For your personal annual review, you need a place where you can be undisturbed. This could be your apartment, but also a quiet corner in your favorite café or a bench in the park – if the latter isn’t too cold for you.

Whichever place you choose, the most important thing is that you can sort out your thoughts there in peace. We also recommend that you write down your review of the year. This will consolidate your thoughts and impulses. On the other hand, you can look at your notes again and again in the new year and remind yourself of your insights and goals.

Vision boards that you can use for your goals (“affirmations”) are in vogue. To do this, cut out photos, stick them on a whiteboard or blank poster and look at this collage every day. In this way, you manifest your goals by consciously and unconsciously focusing on them.

If you prefer the classic way, use pen and paper or a note-taking app such as Evernote or Notes on your tablet or smartphone.

Research and compile

Emails, chats, reels and TikToks: almost all of us leave digital traces, especially on our own smartphone.

Photos on your cell phone have time stamps, which means you can classify memories to the exact day and hour.

When it comes to social networks, Snapchat is a good research example. Although the app is no longer used as intensively as it was a few years ago, Snapchat shows memories that you can look back on in summary form.

Calendars and notes are also valuable witnesses to your year. You can use them to create a compendium of the individual months, weeks and days.

It is very valuable to look back on successfully completed projects, such as passed exams or well-graded assignments. This also includes private projects, such as the start of a new friendship.

Compile these significant highlights and the associated communication traces and go through everything at your leisure. In this way, you will revive your memories and appreciate the precious moments in 2024.

Sort the material

Once you’ve collected your favorite memories, it’s time to sort them.

To do this, we recommend categorizing the information. However, be careful not to categorize them too narrowly, keep them general instead.

We recommend these categories for your annual review:

Health
Study/job
Family
Friends
Hobbies
Finances

Feel free to create additional categories that are important to you or change their names. If possible, don’t leave out any areas of your life, even if unpleasant things have happened, such as an illness or the loss of a part-time job.

Remember that a review of the year does not always have to be pleasant and beautiful. You can also learn a lot from difficult, challenging situations and mature personally as a result.

So be sure to write down who or what helped you in difficult times and how you managed to get out of difficult situations.

Ask yourself questions

Collecting memories for a year in review and reliving the good and bad moments is exciting.

However, the review of the year will be truly lasting if you don’t just consume these memories, but actively and consciously engage with them.

The best way to do this is by asking questions.

General questions about your annual review:

What have I done well?
What am I proud of?
When and how did I surpass myself?
What could I have done differently or better?

Make sure you write down the answers to these questions and read through them a few days later.

Does what you have written down still make sense to you? If not, delete the answers or write better ones. Add any new answers that come to mind.

Now go from the general to the detailed. Go through the individual categories and ask yourself specific questions.

Specific questions about your annual review:

Health

How healthy is my diet?
Do I do enough sport?
Have I taken care of my mental health?
What harmful things would I like to avoid in the future?

Study/job

How satisfied am I with my performance?
What new things have I learned?
What milestones have I reached?
Do I enjoy doing what I do? Or would a different path perhaps be more coherent?

Family

What moments have touched me?
Where do I wish for more harmony?
How can I enjoy quality time with my family in the new year?

Friends

Which friendships have been particularly fulfilling?
Do I feel comfortable with my circle of friends?
Would I like to make more friends? And what qualities would be desirable?

Hobbies

Which activities did I particularly enjoy?
Should I have made more time for hobbies?
What would I like to try out in the new year?

Finances

Did I make ends meet with my money?
What was my total expenditure and where can I make savings?
Have I exhausted all my potential to earn money? Or could I do more?

You are welcome to use these questions or come up with your own. As already mentioned, it is important that you write down both the questions and your answers.

Looking to the future & defining goals

Answering the questions in your annual review has two far-reaching effects:

Firstly, you consciously go through the year again, with all its highs and lows.

Secondly, you automatically create a guide for the new year without having to worry about it again.

The answers to the questions above are particularly interesting (excerpt):

How can I eat more healthily?
Where can I save money?
What do I really want to experience next year?

You should definitely structure the answers you have already written down as a kind of roadmap for the new year.

If you want to do this like a pro, derive goals based on your answers and create specific to-dos.

Examples:

In the new year, I want to go to the gym twice a week.
In future, I only want to eat meat once a week.
I want to find a part-time job that fulfills me by spring.

When setting goals, five factors are essential, which are well illustrated in the SMART model:

S for specific: goals should be crystal clear and unambiguous.

M for measurable: Choose concrete parameters (e.g. exactly how much weight you want to lose) in order to recognize the success and progress of a goal.

A for attractive: Only set goals that really interest and motivate you.

R for realistic: Keep your motivation down to earth. Many people make the mistake of setting themselves too many and too high goals, which carries the risk of frustration.

T for deadlines: Don’t give procrastination a chance by writing down exactly when you want to achieve your goals by. However, make sure you allow yourself enough time. Can you actually achieve what you set out to do within a year? Or do you need more time, which is perfectly fine.

The SMART method is primarily used in the world of work to increase corporate success. However, it can also be used to promote success in your own life.

Use time management methods

The new year will offer many exciting phases and moments – including some that you probably didn’t expect.

This makes it all the more important that you plan what you can plan. So once you have written down your goals, the topic of time management comes to the fore.

Clever time management helps you to break down both large and small goals into concrete action steps and schedule time for each action step.

Tip: Don’t cram your calendar full, but make sure you have a buffer wherever possible. This will allow you to react effectively to unexpected events without getting into a rush.

Get to know the best time management methods and tools in our article so that you can get your time management under control right from the start.

#1 You are doing something meaningful

Many people have the desire to do something good and meaningful in their lives.

Do you too?

Then volunteering could be just the thing for you.

Help people or animals in their everyday lives and create an indispensable value that cannot be measured with any money in the world.

#2 You get variety in your life

Get out of university and experience something new: This is exactly what will happen if you get involved in voluntary work.

Your tasks will be completely different, perhaps you will get more exercise through volunteering or learn new, exciting skills. More on this under point #4.

In any case, volunteering will provide a practical contrast to university with its theoretical content and offer you the variety you may have been longing for.

#3 You get to know interesting people

In voluntary work, you will meet people who are just as committed as you are – but whose personalities are completely different!

People of all ages and social backgrounds work in voluntary sectors. This makes them social melting pots. Exciting encounters are guaranteed.

Perhaps new friendships will result? Or you might get to know a potential employer? Other fulfilling relationships can also develop in the course of volunteering. Who knows?

But we can already say that volunteering will bring a breath of fresh air into your social life.

#4 You develop your skills

No matter which volunteer position you ultimately choose: You will definitely develop your hard skills and, of course, your soft skills.

In a voluntary position, the people around you rely on principles such as punctuality, reliability and communication skills. The ability to work in a team is also an important factor, as is a sense of order and a willingness to take on responsibility.

You also develop your empathy when you come into contact with difficult situations in life, including strokes of fate.

If you prove yourself in your voluntary work, this can lead to you managing projects and thus acquiring leadership skills, which is also an invaluable asset in today’s working world.

#5 You gain practical experience

You won’t get paid for your voluntary work, but you will gain experience in an area of work that is also meaningful and important.

Of course, you can and should also include this practical experience in your CV.

Article tip: How to write applications that inspire

There are employers who expressly prefer applicants with voluntary work experience. The same applies to selected sponsorship programs.

Most decision-makers see and understand the value of voluntary work during your time at university. Therefore, you should not let rumors to the contrary deter you from volunteering.

#6 Your self-confidence grows

Working together with people for a better society will boost your self-confidence in the long term.

It is a wonderful feeling to receive a smile or a sincere thank you for your efforts. Such experiences have a deep impact and give you a sense of self-efficacy.

After all, volunteering means tackling things instead of just complaining about grievances. This automatically makes you a role model in your environment and inspires your fellow human beings.

Volunteering in your region

Are you interested in volunteering? There are countless opportunities to do charitable work. Here are three platforms where you can find volunteering opportunities:

Aktion Mensch: On this large platform, you can search regionally as well as nationwide and very specifically for a volunteer position that suits you. Whether at the food banks, rescue services or as a short-term commitment, there is a good chance that you will find a suitable volunteer position at Aktion Mensch.
FlexHero: Launched in 2020, this platform specializes in finding volunteer positions as quickly and easily as possible. If you don’t want to spend a long time searching for volunteer positions on a website, the FlexHero app is just the thing for you. Not only does the app make it easy for you to agree to a volunteer position, you also become part of the community there and can exchange ideas.
Mitwirk-O-Mat: Similar to a Wahl-O-Mat, hence the name: by answering questions in a playful way, you are suggested regional volunteering opportunities that suit you. We think this is great because it reduces the risk of making the wrong decision on both sides of a commitment.

How can I find time for a voluntary position?

This brings us back to the question in our introduction: How are you supposed to balance volunteering with your other areas of life?

The solution is time management: there are great methods that you can use to structure your days, weeks and months in such a way that no area of your life is neglected.

This doesn’t mean that you rush from one task to the next, but rather that you are given tools to help you learn to prioritize and set up appropriate “time budgets” for your different areas of life.

In our article on time management, we introduce you to methods that really work.

Christmas markets Berlin

Berlin has lots of Christmas markets. Visiting them all would be quite stressful. So it’s just as well that we’ve picked out the most exciting Christmas markets near you.

Christmas rodeo (Prenzlauer Berg)

Would you like to discover great live paintings and listen to DJ sounds while discovering handmade tree decorations, street food and drinks? At the Christmas rodeo, you can give free rein to your own creativity in numerous workshops.

Special feature of this Christmas market: high-quality street food, art & interactive workshops

When?

December 14 & 15

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Christmas Avenue

There is a very special Christmas market on Christmas Avenue at Nollendorfplatz: it takes place with a cool lighting concept underneath the Berlin elevated railroad. Celebrate the pre-Christmas season together with the LGBTIQ+ community. Look forward to trendy music, show interludes such as WINTERWONDERDATE, Drag Bingo and Schlager Avenue. It will be colorful and unforgettable fun!

Special feature of this Christmas market: focus on the LGBTIQ+ community

When?

November 25 – December 23

Our rating: 5 out of 5 snowflakes

Christmas markets Bonn

The Christmas markets in Bonn are shining in new splendor. Here you can find out which ones are particularly worth a visit.

Christmas market in Bonn city center

We recommend the Christmas market in the city center. The ambience with Bonn Minster and the town hall nearby is impressive, and there are also regional specialties to try, including Bönnscher Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) or kale with Pinkelwurst.

Be sure to try the Bönnschen honey wine, where honey is added to the classic mulled wine. Sweet and simply delicious!

Special feature of this Christmas market: Culinary Bonn delicacies in abundance

When?

Up to and including December 22

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

St. Nicholas Market Bad Godesberg

The Godesberg Palace and the electoral palace gardens provide a wonderful, picturesque backdrop for this Christmas market, which is created above all by the magical lights at the palace. Of course, we’re also looking forward to the ice rink, where we’ll be taking a few turns.

We particularly like the Christmas concerts that take place at this time of year, for example in the nearby Engelskirche church. With a bit of luck, there will also be Christmas boat trips on the Rhine again.

Special feature of this Christmas market: fairytale atmosphere with Christmas concerts

When?

November 26 – December 23

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Christmas markets Leipzig

Leipzig is known as “Little Berlin” for good reason. The Saxon metropolis offers a variety of Christmas markets in which alternative offerings also have their place.

Christmas market at the Kreuz

The Connewitzer Kreuz is a melting pot of different cultures and therefore ideal for an alternative Christmas market. Here you can enjoy traditional mulled wine accompanied by live music, as well as international cuisine.

You’ll also find all kinds of handicrafts that stand out from the usual standard carvings at a mainstream Christmas market. That’s why we particularly like the Christmas market, because we always find a unique Christmas gift here and are constantly discovering new delicacies.

Special feature of this Christmas market: Great handicrafts & international cuisine

When?

December 06 – 12

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Christmas market at the delicatessen

“Feinkost” sounds like it would make your mouth water, doesn’t it? The Feinkost is a cultural center that you will inevitably recognize by the “Löffelfamilie”: a neon sign of the Volkseigener Betrieb Feinkost (VEB Feinkost), which already aroused the desire for delicious food in GDR times.

At Christmas time, you will find an ingenious program for gourmets here, which we particularly like. There is also plenty on offer culturally: sustainable gifts and art can be discovered here at around 30 stalls. In our opinion, you have to visit this market to get to know its unmistakable flair.

Special feature of this Christmas market: a feast for gourmets

When?

On the Advent weekends

Our rating: 5 out of 5 snowflakes

Nuremberg Christmas Markets

Like every other major city, Nuremberg naturally also has a classic Christmas market in the city center. But much more exciting are the mini Christmas markets, some of which are only open for one day and make a visit all the more exciting.

Christmas market at the forestry office

We like this market because it is an insider tip away from the hustle and bustle. Unlike the traditional Christmas market, it is much more contemplative here and you can relax and soak up the atmosphere and the craftsmanship on offer at the stalls. Mistletoe branches, freshly cut Christmas trees and wild sausages round off the Christmas flair.

Please note: The Christmas market at the forestry office is only open on 07.12. from 14:00 to 18:30. So save the date in your diary now!

Special feature of this Christmas market: Unique surroundings (forestry operation)

When?

December 07

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Mögeldorf Christmas Market

The historical and traditional flair of this Christmas market is remarkable. The stalls have a vintage feel and you get the feeling of immersing yourself in a different time – away from everyday life, which is why we particularly appreciate this market. The Mögeldorf Christmas market with its carousel and visit from Santa Claus is also particularly family-friendly.

Special feature of this Christmas market: family-friendly environment with historical charm

When?

From December 7th

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Christmas markets Kaiserslautern

During the Advent season, the city of Barbarossa is transformed into a pre-Christmas destination. You should definitely explore the following Christmas markets beyond the main markets.

Christmas market in the Edith-Stein-Haus

This Christmas market offers exclusively handmade crafts. If you want to discover high-quality craftsmanship with a cinnamon wafer, this is the place for you. Did we mention that the cinnamon waffles are legendary and the absolute highlight of this Christmas market? Be sure to try them, as well as the homemade cakes baked by the parish ladies!

Special feature of this Christmas market: Legendary pastries

When?

November 26 – December 04

Our rating: 4 out of 5 snowflakes

Cultural market before Christmas in the Fruchthalle

70 exhibitors present themselves here, making the cultural market in the Fruchthalle lively and varied. Not only will you find fair trade products from charitable organizations, but also small regional works of art, including candles, soaps, ceramics, leather goods, etc. For us, it’s the ideal pre-Christmas shopping paradise!

You can always relax in the café area at this Christmas market, which also hosts top-class concerts.

Special feature of this Christmas market: sustainable fair trade products

When?

November 29 – December 22

Our rating: 5 out of 5 snowflakes

Why ghosting is so disastrous

Everyone knows about ghosting in dating: your crush suddenly seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. You can no longer see their profile picture on WhatsApp either.

You’re left helpless and with a head full of questions:

What have I done wrong?
Has something bad happened to him/her?
Is there someone else?

Our brain can cope with a lot.

But what causes it really big problems is when it can’t find explanations for human behavior.

This phenomenon is called cognitive dissonance: your brain cannot reconcile contradictory behaviors.

This is particularly stressful if everything seemed to be going well before the actual disappearance: You were having nice dates, your crush was getting in touch regularly – and suddenly there’s a break that doesn’t make sense to you.

If you’re on the other side of the equation and are ghosting or thinking about ghosting yourself, then please don’t do it.

Ghosting has serious consequences for the other person, not only in your love life but also at work.

There is a rule of thumb: the later you ghost a company in the application process, the more difficult it will be for the company to find an emergency solution so spontaneously.

Not responding to an email invitation to a job interview is not cool.

But signing an employment contract and then simply not showing up for work is disastrous.

Why?

Because the employer has already invested a lot of resources in you up to this point: Time for interviews, setting up your workplace, planning for your onboarding and, last but not least, of course, the anticipation of you pitching in.

Nevertheless, a late rejection is still better than hosting. True to the motto: better late than never.

Let’s now look at the consequences of ghosting in detail.

Damage to your own reputation

The world of work is small.

Entrepreneurs talk to each other, as do recruiters, of course – at trade fairs, over lunch and via online platforms such as LinkedIn.

It is not uncommon for confidential conversations to lead to warnings about certain applicants – especially if the same person regularly hosts in a certain industry.

So if one day you don’t receive any responses to applications or receive inexplicable rejections, it could be because you have damaged your reputation through ghosting.

What’s particularly bad is that you can’t estimate the extent of the damage because you will never know how far your bad reputation already precedes you.

A guilty conscience

Most people have an inner compass that helps them to distinguish between right and wrong in everyday life.

Our conscience always speaks up particularly loudly when we actually know that a behavior is not right for us, but we do it anyway.

There are plenty of examples:

Drinking and smoking
Eating junk food
Not going to the gym

Ghosting is similar for many people: at first there is a sense of relief, of course. You’ve avoided difficult conversations by disappearing unmediated.

Disappointed faces, unpleasant questions and a lack of understanding: you don’t have to expose yourself to all of this when you ghost.

But you pay a high price for this short-term relief. It’s very likely that you’ll regret what you’ve done for hours, days or even weeks.

Is it worth it?

And is it proportionate to the unpleasant situation you will face if you are rejected?

From our point of view, the answer is clearly no.

Interpersonal consequences

You may think that ghosting is only really bad in dating. After all, it’s all about feelings, the potential partner has hopes that are dashed.

In the world of work, on the other hand, you are just one applicant among many. If you simply disappear like that, it will be noted in a matter-of-fact way. The company then continues to look for suitable candidates and forgets about you. Business as usual, no big deal.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Especially for small companies such as start-ups, the pain is deep when they are ghosted. After all, a company is looking for workers because they urgently need them.

This is due to three factors:

Skills shortage: Germany has too few skilled workers, so demand is correspondingly high.
High costs: Companies have to operate in a very planned and efficient manner in order to survive on the market.
Employee expectations: Employees want a good salary and benefits such as remote working, event attendance, mentoring, etc. at the same time. They also expect companies to operate ethically.

What we are getting at: Company bosses and their employees have to do a lot to get good people on board.

So we want you to understand that you are ghosting people – not faceless, anonymous companies.

That’s why you can now find out how to behave more intelligently in such situations.

No-go ghosting: how to do it better

The following tips will help you stay confident and avoid scorched earth.

Seeking a personal conversation

Ask for a personal meeting with those responsible. This shows your appreciation for the time and effort of others. If this is not possible due to time constraints, for example, then at least call to cancel. If there is no other way, write an email, which is the most impersonal way. But it’s still better than ghosting.

Cancel early

Private and professional circumstances can change, that’s totally human. But be fair and let your potential employer know. Don’t put it off for too long, as this will rob headhunters and recruiters of valuable time that they could use to continue looking for suitable candidates.

Use templates

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel or a rejection letter. If you want to withdraw your application, there are helpful guidelines and email templates. We recommend the articles and templates from Karrierebibel and Workwise.

Face your questions and feelings

It is quite possible that there will be questions about your rejection.

Of course, you are not obliged to answer them, but we recommend that you do so honestly. You can remain general, for example, you don’t have to reveal the name of the company where you are starting instead. For example, say:

“A new opportunity has come up for me that better suits my needs.”

Open-minded companies will also ask you what they could do better themselves in the application process or what mistakes they have made. Your feedback is extremely valuable here because those responsible can learn from it and increase their chances of success in recruiting employees.

Sudden rejections can trigger feelings of disappointment or anger in the other person. It’s unpleasant to endure this, but it’s really important to learn. You will have conflicts from time to time in life. Running away from them every time will make it impossible for you to have deep and fulfilling relationships. So see such situations as an exercise in which you grow as a person and develop further.

Say thank you

For the opportunity that the company has given you. This appreciation will make you look particularly professional. An honest, sincere thank you will earn you respect and you will be remembered fondly despite your rejection.

What if I don’t dare?

Let’s be honest: people ghast because they are overwhelmed by a social situation.

Being overwhelmed is nothing to be ashamed of. Nobody likes to expose themselves to unpleasant situations. So it’s always a good idea to get help:

Let yourself be coached

You can learn how to deal with your own fears and insecurities. There are numerous coaches and psychologists who are well versed in this and can help you to become more socially sociable. This work is worthwhile for all your relationships with other people.

Ask a friend for help

You’ve tried countless times to pick up your cell phone and make that rejection call. But you just can’t do it, it makes your stomach turn and you break out in a sweat.

If you’re reacting so violently, you don’t have to torture yourself. Maybe something happened in the communication with the company that didn’t work at all: Discrimination, for example, or just damn rude behavior. It may also have turned out that your future job would not be at all like the one described in the job advertisement.

In this case, ask a friend to cancel for you. This will take the pressure off you and the company will still be informed in good time. You can also have a friend with you for support when you call. You will then have a trusted person nearby with whom you can talk directly after the interview.

A professional approach is a door opener

Avoiding ghosting and instead communicating honestly and respectfully will have numerous positive effects on your future.

For example, a company may recommend you even though you have turned them down. The reason lies in your confident handling of a difficult social situation that you have mastered. Soft skills like these are urgently needed and appreciated in the business world.

Probably the most important argument against ghosting, however, is that you are putting obstacles in your own way when you ghost. Instead, be fair to the companies you apply to. Then the paths you want to take will be open to you.

So the overall message is: Have the courage! Go into the interview instead of gossiping.

Then you will find that most situations are not as bad as you imagine them to be. Your fellow human beings will often even be understanding if you explain the situation to them.

And even if they don’t, you can tell yourself that you did the right thing and be proud of yourself. In any case, you boost your self-confidence every time you leave your comfort zone rather than ghosting.

#1 Recognizing and setting boundaries

This is a super important point, which is why we have put it at the top of the list. It’s crucial for your mental health to recognize your limits and set them for yourself and those around you.

Why do many people find this so difficult?

Even today, in our seemingly modern and enlightened times, we are still brought up to function: We are expected to be well-behaved in kindergarten, hard-working at school and successful at work.

What hardly anyone ever teaches us is to look after ourselves and our boundaries.

Here are a few examples of when you go beyond your limits:

You get tired on an afternoon of studying. You actually need a break. But a coffee or an energy drink will do the trick.
A friend has invited you to her birthday party on Saturday. You have a social hangover from the stressful week and you’d love to just be by yourself and binge-watch series. But you force yourself to go to the party because that’s what you do.
Your fellow student has asked you to help him move house. You say yes, even though you realize you’re sick. But you don’t have the heart to say no.

Does that sound familiar?

Please don’t get us wrong: it’s a great thing to help others. But not if you overstep your own boundaries and do so at the expense of your mental health.

How do you recognize your limits?

The best guide for this is your gut feeling. Observe how you feel when you have made a commitment, for example. Do you feel good about it? Are you looking forward to the upcoming event? Or do you feel overwhelmed and stressed?

If the latter is the case, you know that you have gone beyond your limits.

Recognizing and setting limits is a process. Be patient with yourself. You will occasionally go beyond your limits, even if you are tackling the problem. Don’t judge yourself for it, but be proud of yourself when you notice it. This will sharpen your perception, allowing you to recognize earlier and better in the future when you are overstepping your own boundaries.

How do you set your boundaries?

Many people find it incredibly difficult to say no to others.

Yet this is so important, or as mindfulness expert Susanne Kühn puts it in a nutshell:

“A clear ‘no‘ is a ‘yes!” to yourself.

This means that every time you stand up for yourself, you are protecting your own mental health.

Sometimes this is not so easy for those around you to accept, especially if you have never or hardly ever said no because you have focused more on the needs of others than on your own.

If you find it difficult to say no to a request, try the following formulation:

I’ll think about it.

This will give you time to think calmly and without pressure about whether or not you want to say yes to something.

#2 Set routines and learn time management

We humans like routines.

Okay, sometimes we hate them too, namely whenever they bore us. Like in the movie Groundhog Day. You haven’t seen it? Then put it on your watchlist, it’s worth watching despite its age 😉

Back to routines: they give us structure because they make everyday life predictable. And that relieves our brain, which in turn promotes mental health.

You should develop these routines:

Fixed meals: Eat regularly throughout the day and at set times. This can be the classic division of breakfast, lunch and dinner, but several small meals are also possible if this fits better into your day. Make sure you eat high-quality brain food.
Regular exercise: very, very important to stay mentally healthy. That’s why we have also dedicated an extra section to this topic in the article (point #3)
Fixed study and relaxation times: The times for your lectures and seminars are set externally. But you can decide when you study and when you take breaks. It is also important to have a phase of the day when you can switch off completely. As a rule, the evening is a good time to wind down and relax for the night.
Fixed bedtimes: Sleep experts recommend going to bed at the same time every day. Yes, even at the weekend. Hey, honestly, we know how unrealistic that is. So it would be a big help if you followed a healthy sleep rhythm during the week.

These are the basics. We recommend that you don’t overdo the establishment of routines. They are not intended to make your day rigid, but to relieve you so that you feel comfortable, fit and rested in everyday life.

This is where time management comes into play: How do I complete which tasks and when? And which ones can I even cross off my to-do list completely? Read our guide to time management.

#3 Move a lot

For millions of years, we humans have been constantly on the move: hunting and gathering food, working in the fields, as nomads moving from city to city. Nowadays, we move far too little.

Pizza is delivered to our doorstep, now even ice cream or a bag of potato chips. We only travel by public transport and car, we’ve sold our bike to the highest bidder in the classifieds and are proud to have earned money that way.

Fuck that!

Convenience is the mortal enemy of your mental health. Humans are not made to sit on their butts all day and stuff themselves with pizza and coke.

That brings movement:

Boosts circulation and metabolism: Exercise gets your entire body moving, leaving you feeling fresh and vital.
Reduces stress hormones: Therefore very important in stressful times and during intensive learning phases.
Provides distraction and relaxation: Get out of your own four walls and get some fresh air – it’s good for you and creates distance from your stressful everyday life.
Promotes fitness: Your muscles and tendons are strengthened, not just by jogging, walks also strengthen your body.

So our tip is: get moving whenever you can!

This is how you integrate movement into your everyday life:

Cover as many distances as possible on foot or by bike
Take a university sports course of your choice
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Get up from your desk regularly, walk around the room, do squats, press-ups and sit-ups
Do mini-workouts: 10 minutes of exercise every morning before the day really gets going
Take short trips where you can hike.

Our brain loves energy-saving mode. This used to make sense in the past, at a time when there were no supermarkets. But nowadays we have to fight against our own laziness if we want to stay mentally healthy.

#4 Eat right

Body and mind influence each other.

If you eat junk, you will also feel bad emotionally.

If you eat fresh, healthy food, you will also feel better emotionally.

You don’t need a complicated diet plan, you can do a lot for your (mental) health if you follow these rules:

Avoid highly processed foods

The more processing steps a food goes through, the fewer ingredients are left for your body to use.

Examples of highly processed foods:

Ready meals (pizzas and microwave snacks)
Sweet stuff (chocolate bars, sweets, popcorn)
Snacks (potato chips, nachos, nuts wrapped in dough)
Sausage
Sweet drinks
Fried food

The list goes on and on.

When shopping, always ask yourself: how close is this food to nature?

A sugar beet from the field, for example, is much, much healthier than the pure sugar that the industry extracts from the beet.

Eggs, quark, potatoes, salad: these are also all unprocessed or barely processed foods that are good for your physical and mental health.

Seasonal and regional

This rule makes shopping sooo much easier. Seasonal and regional food generally has shorter transportation routes and fewer harmful substances than fruit and vegetables from faraway countries.

Strawberries in December? Something can’t be right, they must come from far away and have been treated with appropriate products.

The same goes for blackberries in spring or chestnuts in summer …

By eating regional and seasonal food, you are supporting your health and the farmers in your region in equal measure.

But what do you do in winter when the fields don’t produce a harvest? Here’s another tip …

The freezer will be your best friend

And not for chips or other junk. We are talking about frozen fruit and vegetables. These foods are flash-frozen immediately after harvesting. This preserves the vitamins, minerals and trace elements to a high degree.

There is a wide range to choose from: the freezer contains healthy items such as red cabbage or spinach, and you can spice up your morning muesli with delicious berry mixes. If you’ve only ever taken ready meals out of the freezer, you’ll now see their contents with new eyes.

Diversity counts

A one-sided diet, in whatever form, is not good for your health. You need variety on your plate! So look for new recipes from time to time, this brings variety to your diet and also makes eating more fun.

#5 Maintaining relationships

As social beings, we need stable relationships in order to feel good. Regular contact with your partner, friends and family is therefore important.

This is how you maintain your relationships in everyday life:

Quality time: it doesn’t always have to be hours of activity. A walk or a cup of tea, but consciously and without looking at your smartphone, are very valuable.
Use technology: If you already have your smartphone to hand, then use the technology we have at our disposal: Send a greeting via WhatsApp or try a spontaneous video call. Since Corona at the latest, everyone knows about virtual game nights.
Combine the pleasant with the useful: Form study groups and plan breaks or a nice closing ritual after each learning unit. This could be a cozy get-together with coffee and cake, for example. Relationships can also be established and maintained in sports courses.

Relationships thrive on conscious and regular contact with one another. Sometimes it’s not easy to keep in touch, so a simple “Hey, how are you?” is all the more appreciated by those around you. Have the courage!

#6 Digital and media detox

Technology is a blessing and a curse these days: an iPad is great for university and a smartphone is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, as described above.

But, and this is a big fucking but: these things are addictive. Did you know, for example, that you get a little dopamine rush every time someone likes your Insta picture or your TikTok reel? Your brain gets used to it very quickly and wants more of it.

Unfortunately, the problem doesn’t stop with social networks. Messages can also be addictive. It doesn’t matter whether it’s good or bad news, FOMO strikes: the fear of missing out on something important keeps driving you back to websites, YouTube, etc.

And then, of course, there are the messages that land on your phone with a pling. Just asking: How many times a day do you look at this thing? Too often, guaranteed.

Really sucks, doesn’t it?

That’s why there’s now a radical detox that will do you good.

How to achieve a digital and media detox:

Put away your cell phone, laptop and tablet: This is the easiest and most effective way to detox because it takes the least effort. Out of sight, out of mind – your devices can no longer constantly distract you if they disappear into a drawer, at least temporarily. Switched off, of course.

Establish fixed rules and times for use: The artificial light from tablets & co. damages our eyes. It keeps us awake for an unnaturally long time, and we can’t mentally relax if we’re exposed to news from all over the world late at night.

So set clear times for using your devices and swap a relaxing book for your smartphone in the evening.

Use apps: Funnily enough, there are apps that help you detox. For example, they block the browsers and messengers on your devices so that you can write your homework instead of surfing around somewhere else.

Of course, you can set which apps should be blocked and for how long. The best known are Freedom and Forest.

Targeted information instead of consumption: News is a product, like bread rolls or tomato sauce. Exciting headlines, thrilling teasers, shocking images: Media use such tricks to get you to consume their content.

Of course, there are differences here, but “infotainment” has long since taken the reins: news should trigger emotions in you so that you consume more articles, videos, podcasts etc., in the worst case at the expense of your mental health.

Put an end to this!

Set yourself a fixed time each day and use this time to find out about topics that really interest you. You probably won’t need more than 20 minutes a day for this.

#1 Reduce your stuff to the essentials

You know what? There’s nothing wrong with the idea of a tidy-up. If you feel like you have too much stuff (as we all do), it’s high time to get rid of the clutter. Especially small items that simply take up useless space.

These useless small items are particularly annoying:

Useless documents (old notes, expired vouchers, flyers)
Broken electronics (dead batteries, defective charging cables and USB sticks)
Clothes (those pants you’ll never wear again)

Not all of it has to go in the bin. You can sell clothes in good condition at a flea market, on Vinted or eBay and earn some extra money.

You can also sell gifts that you can’t really do anything with at a flea market. There are always flea markets in the neighborhood. Many young people like to visit such a market and then pay a visit to their favorite café. Or you can give away something from your household that you can no longer use via classified ads.

But how do you know which items you really no longer need?

It’s always helpful to ask yourself: how long have I not used the item or how often have I worn the item of clothing in a season? And if it hasn’t seen sunlight for a year or two, it can be sold.

You can throw some things straight in the trash: hard-to-read handouts from old semesters, empty spice jars, dusty decorative items and broken kitchen appliances, for example.

Tip: Please take your garbage to one of the recycling centers in your area to avoid unnecessarily burdening our garbage cans.

By decluttering, you have already done a lot to create a minimalist interior in your apartment. You will feel freer, clearer and more comfortable in your home afterwards.

#2 Use storage boxes and baskets

Decluttering completed. Step #2 is all about cleverly storing the useful items.

Storage boxes and storage baskets can help you with this. The magic word here is categories. Think in advance about what you want to store in which box or basket and label them with the corresponding categories. Work with color labels so you can find your stuff even faster and easier.

These are useful categories:

Learning materials
Clothing
Technology
Care products
Sports

The boxes and baskets should be opaque. This will bring peace and quiet to your apartment. The boxes and baskets can be used to store seasonal clothes such as swimming trunks or winter jackets.

Store the boxes in the wardrobe, making the best possible use of the space by stacking the boxes on top of each other.

Drawers will be your best friends when it comes to small items: keys, wallet, etc.

Setting up such an organization system is a lot of work at first, of course. But once it’s done, you’ll feel a huge sense of relief and never have to search for your things in chaos again.

#3 Plants, plants, plants

Make your apartment green! Get plants in your apartment, you’ll be surprised by the beneficial effects.

This is what houseplants do:

They produce oxygen. This means you always have good air in your apartment, even if you have the window closed most of the time on cold winter days.
They filter pollutants out of the air. Also quite practical, because we have quite a lot of them in big cities. Plants bind CO2 and dust, for example, both of which can and should be wiped off the leaves regularly.
They increase the humidity. This is particularly important when you are heating and the air in the room becomes dry.
They are balm for the soul. Plants bring nature into your apartment. They have a calming and relaxing effect on us humans.

We can already guess what’s coming: you’re reluctant to get plants because you don’t have green fingers.

Our tip: just get easy-care plants. In Germany, there is this nice saying:

“Weeds don’t die.”

Of course, you shouldn’t bring weeds into your apartment, but hardy plants. Plants that can withstand not being watered for longer.

These houseplants are inexpensive and robust:

Cacti
aloe vera
Bow hemp
Lucky feather
Rubber tree

A few are enough, but there shouldn’t be too many in an apartment. Otherwise you’ll end up living in a jungle with dense foliage. 😀

#4 Optimize lighting

Light makes a huge difference to the minimalist interior of your apartment. With just a few tricks, you can show your apartment in a completely new light. Wow, that was a bad pun… Let’s stick to the topic 😉

The most important tip: use indirect light to make your apartment feel homely.

These are particularly pleasant light sources:

Floor lamps with upward-directed light
Salt stone lamps for the bedside table and bathroom
LED strips that you can stick to shelves or under furniture
Table lamps with a matt lampshade for your desk

You can find great lamps online, in furniture stores or at flea markets. Sounds like a destination, doesn’t it?

The combination of these lamps will make you feel comfortable and cozy within your four walls. A good table lamp helps you to concentrate at your desk even in the darker months of the year.

You can have even more influence on the lighting mood in your apartment with dimmable lamps.

Remember, however, that less is more. It doesn’t take a lot of lamps to create a feel-good effect in an apartment, but rather the right lamps in the right places. After all, we want to keep your interior minimalist, right?

Well then, let’s move on to the next tip.

#5 Decoration – but discreet

Bare walls are boring. How about a photo collage or a cool print instead? It’s all great, but use decorations discreetly.

This also applies to souvenirs, mirrors, picture frames, vases, jewelry and seasonal decorations (Christmas, Easter, etc.). If you overdo it, you’ll soon have the problem of clutter in your apartment again.

This is the right way to handle decorations:

Few high-quality items: Every item in your apartment is an eye-catcher. That’s why it’s better to only have a few of them visible in your surroundings so as not to be distracted by too much clutter. Go for high-quality and natural materials such as wood or glass.
Clear lines and shapes: Paintings by Jackson Pollock look cool. But do reprints of them fit into an apartment with minimalist furnishings? Not in our opinion. Instead, opt for clear, calm images, such as landscapes.
Go for neutral colors: Beige, grey, white and black are more pleasant for our eyes than bright colors. Therefore, use subtle colors for your decoration.
Use functional decorations: It’s smart and minimalist to use functional objects such as lamps or bowls as decorations. This allows you to use the space in your apartment as effectively as possible.

Decoration has its place in an apartment, but it shouldn’t get out of hand. Less is more: that’s the most important rule of minimalism.

#6 Keeping order

Instead of big tidying days where you spend hours cleaning, it’s better to do something every day. This way, you can ensure that your apartment stays clean and tidy as part of your daily routine. You will soon notice that the small, regular touches will make you feel completely at home.

This daily task also includes regularly throwing away things that sneak back into your life: badly aged greeting cards, receipts, stuff like that. Get rid of them!

Use study breaks to clean the bathroom or clear away the dishes. This will get you away from your desk and get you moving, killing several birds with one stone.

If you manage to keep things tidy, you’ll also create clear structures that will give you more clarity in your head. Suddenly, topics such as time management become interesting for you.

#1 Fall tips for Berlin

The capital and its surroundings have a lot to offer on fall days. We show you what exactly is going on in Berlin and the surrounding area in the fall.

Spreewiesn

Not only Munich can do Oktoberfest: at the Spreewiesn there is a huge fun! Put on your lederhosen or dirndl and throw yourself into the hustle and bustle. Oktoberfest hits from a live band, a pint of beer and a chicken – if you like Oktoberfest, you’ll get the full package here. 😂

On the way to the festival, you can treat yourself to the song of the same name by K.I.Z. and really get in the mood.

Open from September 14 to October 29
At the Postbahnhof near Ostbahnhof
Tickets can be ordered online

Berlin fall hype

There’s plenty of action at the Berlin Herbstrummel. Giant propellers, Pacific Rim, Break Dance, ghost train, mirror maze – no more quiet season. You can get your adrenaline pumping on over 70 rides. Have fun at the Berliner Herbstrummel!

September 20 – October 13
Wed – Thu: 2pm – 10pm / Fri – Sat: 2pm – 11pm / Sun & Oct 03: 1pm – 9pm
Central fairground Berlin / Admission free

Klaistow corn maze

On an incredible 25,000 m², you can immerse yourself in a corn maze full of puzzles. Quiz questions and hidden stamp stations ensure that you feel like Sherlock himself and have about an hour of fun in there.

If you go the extra mile, you can win vouchers for the farm store in the local competition.

Admission €2 for adults
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (until mid-October)

#2 Fall tips for Bonn

Hurray, hurray, fall is here! There’s reason to celebrate in Bonn, too, with these autumn highlights:

ONE WORLD FESTIVAL BONN 2024

Celebrate together and listen to live music from all over the world: What could be better on a fall afternoon? In the early afternoon, after a short welcome speech, a culture slam kicks off the line-up, followed by Colombian sounds and ragga, among others.

Information stands, interactive workshops, talks, readings and performance art will ensure that you stay on the move in fresh temperatures and get new input.

October 05 from 2 p.m.
At the Brückenforum & throughout Bonn
Tickets in advance: 22,49 Euro

Fall festival in the vegetable garden

On a tour, you can enjoy a rich autumn harvest: pears, apples, oils, honey and, of course, pumpkins can be discovered and tasted.

A total of around 2,000 plants are grown in the vegetable garden, including regional specialties such as Bonner Beste (tomato) and Bonner Advent (May savoy cabbage). Don’t miss the tea garden with tea varieties from Korea, Japan, China, Georgia, etc.

October 06 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Crop garden of the University of Bonn
Free admission, no reservation required

Mark Dion. Delirious Toys The toy cabinet of wonders

Finally, no more FOMO when you go to an art exhibition! The swimming lakes are empty and you no longer have to worry about missing a cool summer party.

Instead, you can plunge into one of the coolest exhibitions in Germany at the Bundeskunsthalle: 70,000 objects that artist Mark Dion has put together from a toy collection await you in the “Toy Wunderkammer”. Board games, doll caves and even “borderline” toys can be seen there. Sounds like the perfect mix of culture and a good dose of creepyness to us! 😅 Have fun!

From September 08, 2024 to February 09, 2025
Federal Art Gallery
Reduced day ticket: 6.50 euros

#3 Fall tips for Kaiserslautern

If you live in Kaiserslautern, you should take a closer look at these event tips for the fall:

»Lauter Steine«

Lego fans get their money’s worth here. In the large exhibition hall, for example, you can see replicas of historical works of art made from the small, colorful bricks. Each work is a masterpiece in its own right.

The exhibition takes place at the Kaiserslautern Garden Show, the perfect place to experience nature in its autumnal splendor.

Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Duration of the exhibition: until October 31
Kaiserslautern Garden Show

City tour

Experience Kaiserslautern in the fall: The best way to do this is on a city tour. Get to know the moving history of the Barbarossa city, listen to the anecdotes and learn interesting facts about Kaiserslautern’s architecture.

October 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tourist Information / Fruchthalle 14
6 Euro reduced price

Hidden traces of Lautr’s brewery history

The fact that beer is a part of autumn has been known the world over since the tradition of the Oktoberfest. The Lautr region can also look back on a long history of beer.

Boredom is definitely not an option, because according to the organizers, sturdy shoes and a flashlight are required for the tour. The tour is also at your own risk. Sounds like an exciting adventure, of course there will be a beer tasting.

October 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tourist Information / Fruchthalle 14
15 euros per person

#4 Fall tips for Leipzig

In Leipzig and the surrounding area, autumn creates unforgettable moments, culture blossoms and nature shows itself in all its colorful glory. We present the most beautiful autumn events in the trade fair city.

Torgau lights up

Torgau is a town near Leipzig, where Hartenfels Castle is located. Set against a picturesque backdrop directly on the Elbe, you can experience the castle and the town of Torgau in an unforgettable sea of lights.

Candlelight and sparkling lights can be seen at the Parade of Lights on October 4, while the medieval market “Sündenfrei” takes place at the castle itself the following weekend. There is also the Museum Night with cellar tours and the interesting exhibition “Vacation in the GDR”.

October 4 to 6 all day
Everywhere in Torgau

Laughter fair

Yes, you can laugh – especially at this laughter and satire fair. Numerous well-known comedians and stars such as Rainald Grebe, Christian Ehring and Gianna Bacio will be taking part.

Newcomers compete against each other in the Kupferpfennig competition, and you as a participant decide who takes home the prize money. In short: the laughter fair promises lots of fun, which is just the right thing on dull October days.

October 20 to 27
Tickets available online
Prices depending on the individual event

DOK Leipzig

DOK Leipzig is the international festival for documentary and animated films. The city’s cinemas will be full these days, and for a good reason: filmmakers from all over the world will be presenting their works. Windows to distant worlds will open up, giving you a unique opportunity that only comes around once a year.

The best films are selected in four competitions, which is a highly exciting process. An extended reality exhibition will run in parallel, allowing you to immerse yourself in virtual worlds.

October 28 to November 03
Information on the venues and times on the website
Tickets available online in advance or on site

#5 Fall tips for Nuremberg

Nuremberg may be known as the city of gingerbread, but there’s also plenty going on here in the fall that you shouldn’t miss out on. Here are the fall specials for Nuremberg:

Nuremberg Fall Market

The Nuremberg Autumn Market is still open this week. Pop-up stalls are selling local art, including crochet mandalas, handbags, silver jewelry, papercut art and much more.

Of course, you’ll also find artistically designed notepads, graphic prints, scarves, key rings and lots of other interesting things.

But even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to simply stroll through the fall market and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy onion tart and Federweißer wine to make the day perfect.

September 12 to 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nuremberg Main Market

Stroll week Nuremberg

Here, the name says it all: Nuremberg’s restaurants, cafés and stores showcase their rich offerings, which you can easily discover on a stroll. The program under the motto Experience, Discover, Enjoy ensures varied fun, there are culinary demonstrations and lots of cultural offers.

Some stores offer great discounts and specials during the stroll week. Be sure to check the website, maybe there’s something for you?

September 30 to October 05
Throughout Nuremberg

Nuremberg Pop Festival

As the largest showcase and club festival in southern Germany, the Nuremberg Pop Festival is an event you definitely shouldn’t miss.

The line-up features international newcomers such as Anda Morts, Berq and Goat Girl. Could these be the stars of tomorrow that you get to hear today? Take the opportunity and be excited to hear the new pop songs.

October 10 to 12
Various cultural venues in Nuremberg’s Old Town
Tickets available online

General fall ideas for every region

In addition to the highlights in your region, there are of course also activities that are always fun in the fall, no matter where you are.

Need some inspiration?

Roast marshmallows (e.g. outside over a disposable barbecue)
Go to the movies again
Visit a pumpkin patch (some even let you pick your own)
Snuggle up in a warm blanket with a good book and a cup of tea
Make a boo basket

Looking for more fall ideas? Then check out our Staytoo accounts on Instagram and TikTok, where we regularly post ideas!

#1 Gather all important documents

Meaning:

Letter of admission to your degree program
Certificate of enrollment from your university
Identification document (e.g. identity card or passport)
Proof of health insurance (e.g. certificate from your health insurance company)
Certificates such as language certificates

In some circumstances, other documents may be important, including proof of your bank account for tuition fees, a residence permit/visa, a CV, etc. Some universities also want to see a copy of your birth certificate for identification purposes.

To be on the safe side, check your university’s website and the faculty’s website for the required documents.

#2 Get your finances in order

This is a super important point, because: nothing happens without moss. Here are the most important steps:

Open an account

Before you start your studies, you should definitely open a current account into which you can receive money from your parents, scholarship payments etc., for example. It is also necessary for important expenses. One of these is the semester fee (see below).

Tip: Some banks offer students free accounts including a free credit card. The credit card can be particularly helpful if, for example, you want to spend a semester abroad and withdraw money locally at favorable conditions.

Compare accounts online to find the perfect current account for students.

Pay the semester fee on time

The semester fee is a contribution that students pay to the university per semester and usually before the beginning of each semester. The semester contribution is not a tuition fee, as Germany does not charge fees of this kind. Instead, the semester fee is used to fund student institutions and services.

This is what you pay the semester fee for:

Studentenwerk (runs dormitories and dining halls, among other things)
Semester ticket (low-priced public transport ticket)
Financing of teaching staff & university infrastructure

Important: The semester fee can vary from semester to semester. Therefore, find out the exact amount before you start your studies and transfer the amount or set up a direct debit in time.

Maintain a financial plan

Don’t just let your finances run on the side. Otherwise you risk losing track of your spending and getting into debt. That’s never fun, and certainly not if you’re a student on a budget.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to laboriously create long Excel lists by hand or download old-fashioned online templates to create a financial plan. We recommend using selected financial apps that provide smart support for your financial planning.

#3 Take advantage of Orientation Week (O-Week).

The first week of the semester is usually a lecture-free orientation week. Students should get to know the university and its facilities such as libraries during this time.

It is extremely important to familiarize yourself with contact points and modalities of your study program, to meet contact persons and to make first contacts with other students. Don’t miss this opportunity, because it will never again be as easy and relaxed as during the orientation week.

Typical events during orientation week are:

Introductory meetings
Course-related meetings
Excursions through the city or into the surrounding area
Pub crawls

Find out about the dates of the events in good time to make the most of O-Week. Sometimes registration is required so that the organizers can plan. Also, if applicable, bring money with you or transfer it in advance if the event has a fee.

Remember: Orientation week is a key week to help you get started in your studies. So it pays to take in as many events as possible during O-Week.

#4 Get learning materials in time

To be organized in your studies, you’ll need lots of materials:

Good Laptop
Smartphone
Tablet
Pens (ballpoint pen, fountain pen
Highlighters of different colors
Quick folders
Folders
Textbooks, journals
Study-specific utensils (e.g. tools)

Our tip: Look out for special offers and price promotions especially for students to buy study materials as cheaply as possible. Discounters, electronics retailers and stationery stores also regularly offer discounts.

Study-related material such as lecture notes is often offered by the faculties as a download. You can save a lot of money on specialist literature if you buy books second-hand. There are platforms such as Medimops, Studibuch or Rebuy for this purpose.

#5 Take care of badges and accesses

You’ll need IDs and accesses early on to participate in the day-to-day of your studies. Among the most important are:

Login for the university website
Access to your university mail client
Account for a learning management system
Access to the library website
Access to job boards (“Schwarzes Brett”)
Logins for research databases

Get your login or access data as early as possible, as they are extremely important even before the official start of your studies, especially the e-mail access, as the universities often communicate particularly relevant information such as names of lecturers, seminar rooms and event times via e-mails.

#6 Put important dates and deadlines in your calendar

There are a lot of important dates for your studies. Keeping them in a wall planner will relieve you enormously, give you planning security and ensure that you have your head free for your studies.

The important dates and deadlines in your studies include:

Enrollment deadlines
Application deadlines
Deadlines for submitting coursework (e.g. term papers)
Examination dates
Dates for lectures and seminars

Our tip: You can keep handwritten appointments in a classic calendar, but we recommend a digital calendar that you can synchronize on your laptop and smartphone. The advantage here is that you can set reminders in good time to help you meet deadlines and not forget important dates.

#7 Build a social network early on

Once the study week starts, you will be fully occupied with memorizing the course material. In other words, it is difficult to make new contacts during a full week of study, which is why we recommended that you take part in the O-week under point #3.

However, you can also start cultivating contacts beforehand by:

become active in onlinegroups and apps related to your university or course of study,
take part in online taster days,
register for subject-related or regional webinars or
attend cultural and social events (e.g., city festival or museum tour).

Especially events that take place outside of the university have the advantage that you build up a circle of friends and acquaintances alongside your studies. This will definitely enrich your view of life and everyday life.

#8 Look for a part-time job

Looking for a part-time job at the start of your studies has several advantages:

Financial independence

A part-time job gives you more money in your account that you can spend on study materials, short trips or other things. It also makes sense to start saving at a young age. In any case, the part-time job gives you an additional financial cushion.

Career opportunities

A part-time job gives you an early start on the job market. Whether you stock groceries in a warehouse, work in the back office or deliver food, it doesn’t matter: you make contacts with colleagues and superiors early on, and you never know where they will take you. Perhaps to your first permanent job after graduation?

Distraction

Your life revolves a lot around studying, of course. But with a part-time job, you can avoid unnecessary worrying. The regular change of scenery distracts you and you earn money at the same time.

Tip: Have a look at our list of cool part-time jobs, there’s bound to be something for you!

#9 Take a sports course

Sport helps you to stay fit and is also an excellent way to compensate for all the sitting around.

Most universities offer sports courses, but it is important to be quick, as the principle of first come, first served often applies. So find out about the courses on offer early on and book your preferred course online.

A sports course creates routines and gives you another social network that extends beyond the confines of your degree course.

Exercise is also good for relieving stress so that you can then throw yourself back into your studies with renewed energy.

#10 Learn to organize yourself

“Organize? I can’t even sort my playlist!”

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry: not everyone is an organizational talent, and you don’t have to become one.

It’s all about getting the important things in order. Your time management is central to this.

In our article on this topic, you will learn which apps you can use to quickly and easily create to-do lists and how to structure your tasks so that you always keep track of everything.

If you put these tips into practice, you will successfully manage your days and still have free time to enjoy. Does that sound good? Then read the article 😉

Download: Free checklist for the beginning of your studies

With our checklist for the beginning of your studies (PDF) you are perfectly organized from the beginning and during your studies. Download it now for free!

Self-management: the basis for time management

Managing yourself sounds kind of weird, doesn’t it?

Like you’re sitting in a seminar for snobby young managers.

Source: X / BWL – JUSTUS: https://x.com/Justus_TUM_BWL/status/740074096294252544

However, self-management has little to do with the lifestyle of a business administrator.

Self-management is about getting to know yourself so that you know what is important to you and act accordingly – and the result of this is called time management.

Important: Self-management always comes before time management.

These questions will help you with your self-management:

What is particularly important to me?
What are my personal goals?
What do I not want to do (anymore)?

Answers to these questions create clarity and help you to set priorities.

At the moment, everything seems to have a high priority: You have to study for exams, write an application for an internship and then there’s the next family birthday for which you still haven’t organized a present!

You immediately get the feeling that everything is getting on top of you.

Of course, that’s super stressful.

That’s exactly what you want to get away from.

The aim is to become the boss of your life – in your studies, professionally and privately.

There are time management methods for this, because surprise: many clever people have had this problem before you and they have become super successful and happy with the following methods.

These time management methods work

There are many time management methods, but we offer you some that we have tried and tested over the years and therefore recommend!

Eat the Frog

Do you remember putting off unpleasant homework when you were at school? Well, it feels good in the short term – but the mountain of unpleasant to-dos piles up over time until you have no choice but to work through them in disgruntled agony for hours on end.

In adult life, many people continue with this bad habit. Whether it’s a tax return, re-registering after a move or a doctor’s appointment: inconvenient things become your future-me’s problem!

But that means twice as much work in the future, and you already have a guilty conscience today for free.

This is exactly where Eat the Frog (or Eat that frog) comes in: The strange name goes back to a US-American idiom: “Eating a frog” means starting with the most unpleasant task of the day first.

Why?

Because you have the most energy and resilience early in the morning. Well rested and fit, you will find it much easier to tackle difficult tasks.

With Eat the Frog, you start with the most difficult/unpleasant task and work your way up to the easier ones bit by bit. The result: in the afternoon, you only have pleasant to-dos ahead of you!

Tip: Eat the Frog is an advanced self-management technique. You need a certain amount of self-discipline, which is often lacking. Try this: Imagine how you feel when you have completed the most difficult task of the day. Feel this great feeling, imagine it intensely. And then get started on this task. This motivational boost will make it much easier for you to implement Eat the Frog!

Eisenhower principle

Dwight D. Eisenhower was military governor of the American occupation zone in Germany, NATO supreme commander, the 34th president of the USA and … extremely well organized. He had to be in order to fulfill his demanding duties.

His time management method, which became world-famous under the name of the Eisenhower Principle, is based on the rapid sorting of daily tasks.

This is known as the Eisenhower matrix with four quadrants:

Copyright graphic: Staytoo

Here is the list of the Eisenhower matrix for clarity:

Priority 1 (very high): Important and urgent
Prio 2 (high): Important, but not urgent
Prio 3 (low): Urgent, but not important
Prio 4 (irrelevant): Not urgent and not important

Important and urgent tasks are those that need to be completed immediately.

Important but not urgent tasks must wait until the tasks with priority 1 are completed.

Urgent but not important: This includes everything that appears to be urgent but is not important at all. You can cross these tasks off your list straight away.

Not urgent and not important: Can go! 🙂

The Eisenhower matrix helps you to recognize what is really relevant in your to-do list, sort it and remove unnecessary ballast. It is particularly effective for work, e.g. as a working student, when you need to set the right priorities for your working day. But it is also helpful during your studies, wherever you have to break projects down into individual steps and prioritize them according to importance and urgency.

Pareto principle

The Pareto principle states that 80 % of the results can be achieved with 20 % of the effort:

With 20% learning effort, you will achieve 80% of your learning progress
With 20% training in the gym, you ensure 80% of your fitness
With 20% of your relationships, you ensure 80% of your social happiness

However, the Pareto principle only works if you are focused and effective, i.e. if you are not distracted by e-mails, phone calls or surfing the Internet during the 20% performance.

Pareto also has a downside: to achieve the remaining 20 % for a 100 % result, you would have to put in 80 % effort.

A huge imbalance!

How does this happen? The answer can be given by perfectionists who get bogged down in little things and details because they want the “perfect result”. But there is no such thing, and the time and energy required to get there is extremely high and therefore wasteful.

The Pareto principle is a fascinating reminder of another important saying that we have to thank the Americans for: “Done is better than perfect.“

This credo, which is expressed in the Pareto principle, is incredibly relaxing and is a good antidote to perfectionism.

Does this mean that you should never give 100%? No, but Pareto helps you to make great progress on a project without permanently overburdening yourself with excessive demands.

Pomodoro technique

The traditional technique works with a short-time alarm clock, but there are now also free apps such as Pomofocus or focus booster.

This is how Pomodoro works:

Set the task
Set the Pomodoro alarm clock
Work for 25 minutes with focus
Take a 5-minute break
Repeat the whole process (up to 4 times)
Complete the task or take a longer break

With Pomodoro, you can work in intervals without neglecting breaks. This is ideal for studying and for projects of all kinds!

Which time management method is right for you?

You’re probably asking yourself this question, but it’s misleading. It’s not about finding the perfect time management method. Because there is no such thing. 😊

A much smarter and more realistic approach is to cleverly combine the various time management methods.

But no more theory, we’ll show you how this can be done using a specific day.

This is what your successful day looks like

The following example day should help you as a guide. It is our very personal recommendation on how to master the ideal day. And it starts the evening before!

Day 1

18:00: For a structured day, you need a clear head. That’s why you write down all the tasks you can think of the day before. Use a simple and clear self-management tool such as Notion or Todoist.

Day 2

Before we go any further: not every student is an early riser. If you’re more of a night owl who doesn’t get going until later in the day and you can organize your time freely, then simply adapt the following example day to suit your rhythm.

07:00: After getting up, you eat a healthy breakfast (brain food tips can be found here).

07:20: You sit down at your laptop and sort your to-do list for the current day according to the Eisenhower principle. What is urgent and important, what is not important but urgent, etc.

07:30: Time for the most unpleasant task of the day (Eat the Frog). In your case, it’s the task of finally getting started on that annoying chore you’ve been putting off for weeks. Take the bull – er – the frog by the thighs! You use the Pomodoro technique to make effective and targeted progress with enough breaks, without overexerting yourself.

09:30: You look at your screen with pride. It’s unbelievable how much you’ve managed to do in a few hours! That’s when your guilty conscience kicks in, whispering to you: What you’ve written isn’t perfect yet! You smile and say to your inner critic: “So what? It doesn’t have to be. Done is better than perfect.”

You are pleased that you have come up with the Pareto principle: achieve 80% of the result in 20% of the time. That’s how to work effectively! Tomorrow you’ll be focused on your housework again and improve it. But now it’s time for a walk before you go to the seminar at the university.

11:30 a.m.: You come out of the seminar room and look forward to the upcoming lunch break. You feel light and free because you know that the most difficult task of the day is already behind you. The guilty conscience that used to torment you in the afternoons and evenings because of procrastinated housework doesn’t even arise.

12:30 p.m.: After a delicious meal in the canteen, you have two more lectures to go. Luckily you’ve eaten something light so that you can continue to concentrate. On you go with plenty of energy!

05:00: After a long and exhausting day, you arrive at your apartment. You’ve set aside an hour to file the day’s notes and catch up on your emails, WhatsApps and so on. You finally manage to reply to messages from your family, friends and fellow students promptly, instead of taking days as usual. You can now also respond to mail from your health insurance company, the student union, etc. in a timely manner.

06:00: You take a look at your self-management tool: What have you successfully completed today and can cross off the list, what still needs to be done? You also write down all the other tasks you can think of and sort them according to urgency and importance using the Eisenhower matrix.

06:15: Free time! Thanks to your good self-management, you can now switch off with the good feeling of having successfully completed the day. Great!

Short trips around Berlin

Our beautiful capital Berlin has a wonderful surrounding area to offer, where you can discover a lot of places. We present two great destinations for short trips and an insider tip.

#1 Spreewald

With the Spreewald (Spree Forest), a magnificent natural and cultural landscape stretches out before the gates of Berlin. Hikes, bike tours, canoe trips: In the Spreewald all this is possible, even romantic gondola rides. What is especially nice is that the Spreewald is worth visiting at any time of the year. In summer the dense foliage of the trees offers cool shade, in autumn the rich pumpkin harvests and art markets impress, in winter the landscape fascinated again completely new with ice and snow, until nature awakens to new life in spring.

#2 Beelitz-Heilstätten

Once a sanatorium for lung diseases, the Beelitz-Heilstätten (Beelitz Sanatorium) have become one of the most famous lost places. The eventful and sometimes dark past fascinates adventurers and tourists alike, and several documentaries and feature films have been made about the sanatoriums.

Buildings such as the Old Surgery, the former combined heat and power plant and the sanatorium are definitely worth a visit, but since they are ruins, we recommend a professional guided tour, where you will also learn a lot of exciting background knowledge about this historic place. A special highlight here is the treetop path, which winds through the railing at a height of up to 23 meters.

Lost Places Extra Tip

Do you like historical lost places like the Heilstätten in Beelitz? Then we recommend Teufelsberg in Berlin for a day trip. During the Cold War, the U.S. military operated a listening and flight surveillance station here. Urban art has long since emerged from the relics of that time, and you’ll also find a downhill trail on the mountain and lots of exciting historical information.

#3 Pfaueninsel

Honestly: “Peacock Island” sounds super nice, doesn’t it? And the name is no exaggeration: On this island, you can observe real peacocks and walk in the footsteps of kings through a park with a white fairytale castle. The castle itself is currently closed for renovation work, but the view from the outside alone is definitely worth a visit.

For a day trip, you will need a little over an hour from the apartment building by bike or public transport, but you will definitely remember your time there. There is a coffee garden on the sunbathing lawn (pure chill-out) and … honestly, do we need to tell you more? Well, we do have one more: there’s a swimming area where you can jump straight into the Havel. So don’t forget your swimming trunks and bikini 😉

#4 Berlin Art Week

Five days of pure contemporary art – that’s what Berlin Art Week offers you in concentrated form. Artists from all over the world exhibit their works. The festival meeting point is the BAW Garten at the Gropius Bau, where performances and cool drinks await you. You will also meet other exciting people interested in art.

Tip: Berlin Art Week has great spots to discover all over the city, including near your Staytoo apartment! These include the Daadgalerie (Oranienstraße 161), the Konrad Fischer Galerie (Neue Grünstraße 12) and the Ivo Wessel Collection (Michaelkirchplatz 1-2). You can find all locations on the website.

When?

September 11-15, 2024

Where?

Various locations in Berlin

Short trips around Bonn

You want to get out of the big city? Then the surroundings of Bonn offer perfect opportunities.

#1 Drachenfels

The Rhine Cycle Route stretches from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea over 1,391 kilometers. Don’t worry, that’s way too much for a short trip, of course. But part of the Rhine Cycle Path is ideal for getting a great view of the Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge.

On the way there, you’ll have the opportunity to pay a visit to the Nibelungen Hall and Drachenburg Castle. In addition, you’ll be driving along the Rhine almost the entire time, so you’ll get to enjoy nature and culture in equal measure.

#2 Skywalk Rabenlay

Feel like Luke Skywalker for once and … wait, the 24 square meter Skywalk Rabenlay viewing platform has nothing to do with Star Wars. But with a fantastic wide and deep view of Bonn on the Rabenlay mountain.

Online, the travel community recommends enjoying the vantage point in good weather with sunshine. But even on a starry night, the sky above the skywalk, which opened in 2017, shows itself in unforgettable beauty. And who knows: Maybe you’ll see Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing light up on such a night?

#3 Beethovenfest

In September, you will be treated to 70 concerts, with everything from soloists to renowned international orchestras. Beethoven fans will get their money’s worth here, as will friends of classical music or those who want to become one.

Our tip: The opening concert “Beethoven & MEUTE” starts on September 6 at 7:30 pm and you shouldn’t miss it. Why? Because MEUTE is a techno marching band that is “starting a mutiny at the opera”. It’s sure to be exciting.

Extra tip for Berliners: As part of the Beethovenfest, the “Sonderkonzert Berlin: Beethoven 9” will take place on Tuesday, September 3rd at 8 pm in the Gedächtniskirche.

When?

September 05 – October 03, 2024

Where?

Various locations in Bonn

#4 Bonner Stadtgartenkonzerte

The famous Bonn City Garden Concerts are now in their twelfth year, featuring well-known artists such as Nicholas Müller (Jupiter Jones) as well as international newcomers from a wide range of musical genres: pop, jazz, folk, punk … take your pick! You can find all the dates and bands on the Bonn city website.

When?

August 02-31, 2024

Where?

Old customs
Adenauerallee
53113 Bonn

Short trips around Kaiserslautern

If you look at the Barbarossa city of Kaiserslautern on the map, you will quickly recognize its favorable location. At the gates of Kaiserslautern, the Palatinate Forest to the south and a more than 100-year-old tunnel to the west are waiting to be discovered by you.

#1 Pfälzerwald

The Pfälzerwald (Palatinate Forest) offers fascinating landscapes and cultural monuments that are great to explore with a hiking backpack as well as with a mountain bike. The Palatinate Forest is especially famous for the Karlstal Gorge, Berwartstein Castle, Hambach Castle and Orenfels with an excellent viewpoint.

#2 Over 100 years old tunnel

Anyone who has ever passed through this tunnel, which is over 100 years old, on a hot summer day will remember the experience. In the past, an old railroad line passed through here, but today cyclists and hikers cross the cool, almost cold illuminated tunnel. But this is not the only highlight: in the immediate vicinity there are other great spots such as the Ohmbachsee as part of the “Pfälzer Seentour” and the old railroad line. A water treading pool provides refreshment for the feet on this short trip.

#3 Japanischer Garten

The Japanese Garden opens its doors in the season between April and October. Never been there before? Then it’s about time! Not only Japan fans will get their money’s worth here. Waterfalls, teahouses, imposing rocks and ponds will whisk you away to another world that is very different from our European one.

How about forest bathing to switch off from the stress of university? There is a course every third Wednesday of the month. You can also book regular yoga classes with a certified yoga teacher and relaxation trainer, which often take place on Saturdays. This promises pure relaxation!

When?

April-October 2024

Where?

Am Abendsberg 1
67657 Kaiserslautern

#4 Volksparkkonzerte

The Volkspark concerts take place every 14 days on Sundays in the city center of Kaiserslautern. The whole thing runs until the beginning of September. On August 18, you can expect the best of 100 years of brass band music, and on September 1, the Blue Light Big Band Ludwigshafen will treat you to lush sounds, including Latin, pop, soul and swing.

The Volkspark concerts then go into their fall and winter rest until May, when it’s “(almost) always Sundays again!” So make a note now to check the Kaiserslautern city events calendar for the concerts in spring!

When?

May-September 2024

Where?

Volkspark Kaiserslautern

Short trips around Leipzig

The “secret capital of Saxony,” as Leipzig is known behind closed doors, is a great place to live. Also and especially because natural highlights have developed around the city over the decades.

#1 Leipziger Neuseenland

During the GDR era, there was a lot of lignite mining in the Leipzig region. When open-cast mining was discontinued, the question arose in landscape planning at the time: What to do with the gigantic holes in the ground?

They were flooded, creating the so-called Leipziger Neuseenland, which includes Lake Cospuden (“Cossi”), Lake Hainer, Lake Markkleeberg, Lake Kulkwitz and many others. For the first exploration of the Leipzig Neuseenland we recommend as a destination the Cospudener See, which is not even 5 kilometers away from our apartment house.

#2 Leipziger Wasserfest

Singer-songwriters, storytelling theater, guitar music: the Leipzig Water Festival is all the rage in the trade fair city. Cruise along the canal in a boat or relax in a deckchair with a fresh, cool cocktail – Leipzig celebrates its cultural and natural diversity, the elegant balancing act between city and nature. In any case, it will be colorful, cheerful and summery!

When?

August 16-18, 2024

Where?

Lindenau harbor, Plagwitz district park, Karl Heine Canal

#3 Highfield Festival

Are you ready for a festival in a class of its own at Lake Störmthal? Highfield is a legendary indie rock festival with a deluxe line-up including Macklemore, Rise Against, Peter Fox, Cro, Ski Aggu and so on. Get your tickets for this unique summer event now!

When?

August 16-18, 2024

Where?

Lake Störmthal

#4 Halle

Compared to Leipzig, Halle does not have a particularly good reputation. Unjustly so! The city on the Saale River is considered a cultural center in Central Germany with the municipal theater, the opera house, the art museum Moritzburg Halle and numerous other institutions. Striking sights are also the Red Tower, the Halle Cathedral, the Botanical Garden and the zoo.

In addition, Halle had several hip clubs, such as the dance bar Palette or the club Drushba. Halle is also a university town, where many young people live, similar to Leipzig.

Short trips around Nuremberg

Located north in Bavaria – and yes, strictly speaking in Middle Franconia – is Nuremberg, one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in Germany. If you’re wondering why Franconia is in Bavaria and why there are such vast differences … you’d better ask a local (Lower, Middle or Upper) Franconian. We give you here in this article great short trip tips for the region around!

#1 Schwarzachklamm

Schwarzachklamm is one of the most beautiful so-called geotypes and is located directly near Nuremberg. Follow the course of the Schwarzach River and discover the region, which has been under nature protection since 1936. Over millions of years, the Schwarzach has washed geographic formations into the sandstone, which look impressive and are worth at least one visit.

#2 Beer hike Fränkische Schweiz

Over the centuries, a beer brewing culture has established itself in the Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland), a hilly and mountainous landscape in Upper Franconia. 69 breweries in the region brew Franconian beer of various kinds and are happy to welcome hikers who want to combine the pleasure of beer with a beer hike or walk. The great thing is that you can put together your own route for the beer hike according to your mood and include overnight accommodations.

#3 Herbstvolksfest Nürnberg

The Nuremberg Volksfest is a festive event. On August 23, the festival traditionally begins with the beer tapping in the Papert marquee. Afterwards, be amazed by the magical lights in the sky with fireworks.

You probably won’t be attending the Senior Citizens’ Afternoon on August 27, but you might be attending exciting events such as Princesses, Superheroes and Movie Stars: Meet your Idols! (August 30) or Magic Friday meets Steam Punk (September 6), where you can immerse yourself in the world of Victorian science fiction.

You can find the complete program on the Autumn Folk Festival website.

#4 Stadt(ver-)führungen

Go in search of treasures on the city tours in Nuremberg and Fürth. This includes works of art, monuments, but also church, land, book and art treasures and much more.

With over 500 tour topics, city guides offer you a wide variety of perspectives from which you can experience the two cities. These include, for example, guided tours to the treasures of medieval folk art or to Nuremberg’s Old Town, which is considered an open-air museum with legendary treasures. We think: There’s no better way to get to know your adopted city! Check out all the events on the Nuremberg website.

Where?

Various locations in Nuremberg & Fürth

When?

September 20-22, 2024

#1 Rekindle old friendships

The easiest way to make friends in a new city is, of course, to already have or have had friends there. Perhaps you already know someone in the city or an old classmate has moved to the city you are now moving to?

Don’t be afraid to get in touch and suggest a meeting. If the friendship is rekindled, it won’t be long before the new old friend takes you along to their friends’ parties. Which brings us to the next tip.

#2 Get to know friends of friends

Your friends also have friends that you don’t (yet) know. Join them, perhaps at the next party of one of your friends’ friends? There’s a good chance that you’ll get on with these people too – after all, your friends have good taste when it comes to choosing the people they like to spend time with 😉

Our tip: We have collected routes near the Staytoo houses.

#3 Take a trip

Make yourself a few sandwiches, fill your water bottle with water or tea, pack both in a small rucksack and off you go – that’s all you need for a short trip.

Whether you’re walking through the city or exploring nearby forests on an (e-)bike: Sooner or later you will meet other adventurous people, e.g. at a rest stop, and you can swap stories with them. Who knows, maybe this will lead to an adventure group in which you regularly do something together?

In cities, there are hiking and jogging groups that meet regularly. Take a look at portals such as Lauftreff or Wander Community to find suitable people.

Our tip: We have collected routes near the Staytoo houses.

#4 Visit university events

Pub crawls, introductory events, campus tours: Use university events whenever possible to make friends in a new city. Especially at the start of the semester, universities offer events such as Freshers’ Week so that fellow students and lecturers can get to know each other. You can find the events on offer on the website of your university or university of applied sciences.

#5 Get to know your Staytoo neighbors

Many exciting people like you live at Staytoo. It’s worth getting to know them. For example, how about inviting your neighbor over for a cup of tea or to cook together? Great friendships have also been formed during board game evenings or walks together.

Our tip: Did you know that Staytoo offers its own events? BBQ in summer, MovieInParty, semester kick-off party, Halloween hangover brunch: there’s always something going on here, but you also have your own space. True to the motto: Staytoo is you!

Follow us on our Instagram account, where we regularly share information about Staytoo events such as house parties. You’ll also find videos with tips from other students. Of course you can also find us on TikTok.

#6 Take part in events

Exciting events can be found in every city, for example neighborhood festivals, concerts, exhibitions or theater performances. It may feel strange to go to an event alone, but once you’re there, you’ll realize that it’s fun too. The important thing is that you get involved and remain open and relaxed. This will give you the best chance of striking up conversations with others.

#7 Organize an event yourself

If you are new to a foreign city, know that others feel the same way. Every newcomer is happy to have opportunities to get to know each other. It’s a great opportunity if you create these opportunities yourself, be it through a picnic, a movie night or a group walk to get to know each other.

For the aforementioned movie night, which you can post as an event call in an Insta story, you will need technical equipment such as a projector, laptop etc. as well as chairs. Everyone can bring something, so there is also a joint planning process that you can discuss online. As the organizer of your own events, you will also learn important soft skills such as how to set up and successfully manage a project.

#8 Join a club (music, sports, etc.)

Have you sung in a choir or enjoy playing volleyball? Time to join a club! There are usually taster sessions where you can check whether you feel comfortable with the people, the facilities, etc. A shared hobby brings people together, so you’ll quickly make friends this way.

Extra tip: Check the offers for university sports or university sports to see if there are any suitable courses for you. These courses are often cheaper than normal courses in the city and you will also get to know fellow students.

#9 Try social apps

Yes, we all know Tinder. But it doesn’t always have to be dating: there are also apps that help you find friends in a new city. The most popular are:

Each app has different special features. Meetup focuses on groups and joint activities online and offline.

We3 is based on the concept of the mini-group: It says that friendships are best formed when three people meet to get to know each other.

Spontacs, on the other hand, offers you the opportunity to meet people from your area to spontaneously experience a leisure activity with them, such as going to the movies or playing sports.

Bumble For Friends specializes in the match function, which means that when two potential friends match, they only have 24 hours to get in touch with each other. This “pressure” has the advantage that you venture out of your comfort zone and make the first move before the opportunity passes.

Extra tip: Enter your university on Bumble For Friends to find suitable contacts from your university environment.

#10 Get a part-time job

Most students do this anyway to earn some money on the side. You can combine the intention to increase your bank balance with making friends in your new city. When choosing a part-time job, make sure that you will be in contact with people. A job in the archives may be pleasantly quiet, but probably not the right way to make new friends.

Here are a few jobs where you’ll interact with people a lot:

Language tandem (translator)
cinema/theater box office
Supermarket work
Promotion jobs
Recruiting members for associations
Catering and event jobs (catering, service, etc.)

Of course, it’s particularly clever if you find a job that allows you to make new friends and further your career. Take a look at the online job boards or our tips for creative part-time jobs.

#11 Start with Co-Learning or Working

Why always sit alone in a small room and brood to yourself? More and more universities in Germany are offering co-learning spaces in which open learning rooms are made available. The learning spaces are often equipped with multimedia such as touch displays or laptops to borrow.

Not only do you get to know fellow students there, but you also increase your learning effectiveness at the same time.

Co-working spaces are particularly interesting for you if you want to start your own business as a student and build up a professional network while you are still a student. This is because other self-employed people, e.g. web designers, developers and graphic designers, often work in co-working spaces.

Co-working spaces are usually subject to a fee, but a small investment in a desk that you can book flexibly will definitely pay off for the expansion of your private and professional network.

#12 Use the bulletin board

Maybe a bit oldschool, but still present at many universities: The bulletin board with all kinds of notices, from book giveaways to carpooling opportunities to course offers, there are plenty of chances to make friends in your new city. Some bulletin boards even include personals, reminiscent of the classic personals in newspapers.

#13 Talk to people outside

Admittedly, this is not the right way for everyone to make friends in a new city. But it is often easier than you think to get in touch with other people out there. Most people are open to it and are happy to have such a pleasant surprise in their everyday lives.

The biggest hurdle here is starting the conversation. Questions are a great way to make it easier.

Our tip: Greet people with a friendly “hello” and a smile, this often works wonders.

You can start a conversation with a stranger with these questions:

Do you know a good restaurant nearby?
I’m new in town, do you know where is a good place to party/sport/go on an excursion?

Questions can also be combined with compliments:

Nice jacket, did you buy it here in town?
If I may say so honestly: You seem likeable and as a newcomer I am looking for some
I’m looking for a bit of a connection in the city. Would you like to go out for ice cream with me?

These are just sample questions that you can adapt as you wish. It is important that you ask a positive, innocuous question that invites small talk. You should definitely avoid topics such as politics or religion, as these are very personal and often emotional topics.

#14 Try Language Tandem

Language tandem is a great way to make friends in a new city: You have a common interest with your tandem partner, you both want to learn a language. The language tandem is the perfect method for this, because a native speaker corrects each other. Through the regular exchange, you automatically get to know each other better and possibly become friends.

Difficulty making friends in a new city

Sometimes it can be difficult to make new friends. You are not alone in this! Get to know the typical difficulties that many students struggle with when they are new to a foreign city:

Start-up time: friendships are not formed overnight, but through regular activities together. This strengthens your bond of friendship, but also means that you have to invest time and commitment in new friendships.

Anonymity at large universities: At universities and colleges with thousands of students, the individual is hardly noticed. The support provided by lecturers is generally more impersonal, as is the interaction between students. Individual conversations fall by the wayside or are fleeting. Some students withdraw in such an anonymous atmosphere instead of trying to make new contacts.

Finding connections in existing groups: An existing group is an established social structure. There are certain dynamics (keyword insider jokes), routines and even hierarchies. It sounds stupid, but the new individual must first “prove” to a group whether you are on the same wavelength.

How to deal with the difficulties

The most important thing is that you don’t take setbacks in making new friends personally.

A contact no longer responds to your calls or messages, even though you thought a friendship was forming between you?

A group no longer informs you about its activities?

That hurts, no question. But in the vast majority of cases, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong with you. Sometimes it’s just not right, so just keep looking for people you get on really well with.

Tip: Are you unsure whether you have qualities that make you socially awkward? Ask those closest to you how they perceive you to find out how you are perceived from the outside.

Extra tip: Combine our tips

We recommend that you make friends in different ways. So don’t just rely on dating apps, but overcome your inhibitions and also approach people in real life, visit our Staytoo events, etc. It’s all in the mix and you’ll meet great people faster. 🙂

#1 Summer tips for Berlin

Summer in Berlin – that means pure nature and culture. Find out how to make the most of your summer in the capital.

Berlin lakes

Berlin has several lakes that you can reach super quickly from your Staytoo apartment.

These lakes are in your area:

Plötzensee (7 km away | small but beautiful)
Wannsee (15 km away | large inland beach, great lido)
Müggelsee (22 km away | many hiking and cycling trails, ideal for water sports)

Each lake and its surroundings are different, so it’s great fun to visit each of them and enjoy your time there.

Extra tip: The Landwehr Canal is only 2 km from the Staytoo apartment building. Not a lake, of course, but ideal for a walk along the water.

Open-air cinemas and concerts

The Freiluftkino Kreuzberg and the Freiluftkino Insel entice audiences with first-run movies in the open air. Here are a few selected movie tips:

Freiluftkino Kreuzberg:

Sonne und Beton (German coming-of-age drama) / 18.07. | 21:30
Poor Things (science-fantasy comedy with Emma Stone) / 23.07. | 21:15
Dirty Dancing (absolute dance movie classic) / 03.08. | 21:00 hrs

Outdoor Cinema Island:

Challengers – Rivals (exciting love triangle in a tennis environment) / 13.07. | 21:30 hrs
Open Screening (several short films by filmmakers) / 17.07. | 21:30 hrs
Barbie (black humor comedy with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling) / 27.07. | 21:45 hrs

And here are a few highlights of the open-air concert season:

Hypegarten Biergarten & Open Air Tanzbar / 27.07. | 15:00 – 22:00 | ŒLGARTEN
Christian Steiffen (“God of Schlager”) / 10.08. | 18:45 | Kulturbrauerei
Nina Chuba – Open Airs 2024 / 03.08. | 19:00 | Zitadelle Spandau

#2 Summer tips for Bonn

Summer is turning up in Bonn too. Time to get out your swimming trunks and bikini for the Römerbad! But there are other cool leisure tips:

Bonn forest reserve Kottenforst

The Kottenforst forest reserve is the ideal place to experience pure nature:

40 km² forest area
Mixed and coniferous forests
Diverse wildlife
Numerous viewpoints and hiking trails

Rheinaue leisure park

In the middle of the leisure park is the 15-hectare Auensee lake, where boating is particularly fun. But the Rheinaue leisure park is also perfect for long walks and picnics. You can enjoy refreshments in the beer garden of the park restaurant.

Auensee: 15 hectares in size
Activities: Boating, walks, picnics
Park restaurant: Beer garden

Beethoven House Bonn

Follow in the footsteps of the famous composer and discover new sides to one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time in the special exhibition “Bernstein’s Beethoven”.

Special exhibition: “Bernstein’s Beethoven”
Duration of the exhibition: 03.05. – 19.08.

Leonard Bernstein, after whom the special exhibition is named, worked as a composer himself and is regarded as one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s outstanding mediators in the 20th century. In other words: make sure you visit the exhibition!

#3 Summer tips for Kaiserslautern

Explore a sea of flowers, walk along medieval paths and plunge into the urban nightlife – that’s how versatile Kaiserslautern is in summer.

Kaiserslautern Garden Show

The Kaiserslautern Garden Show opens its doors in the summer months. The large garden show is divided into thematically different areas, you will find examples of modern garden architecture as well as kitchen gardens, medicinal plant gardens and water gardens.

Thematic areas: modern garden architecture, kitchen gardens, medicinal plant gardens, water gardens
Seating areas and culinary highlights (brewery at the garden show)

Hohenecken Castle

If you are interested in the Middle Ages, a trip to the Hohenecken castle ruins is just the thing for you. Parts of the walls and the keep from past times of the so-called spur castle are still clearly visible, and you also get a breathtaking view of the forest and meadows.

History: dates back to the 13th century
Preserved parts: Walls, keep
View: Forest and meadows

Lautr summer evenings

Every second Thursday, bands perform on a mobile stage in the city center of Kaiserslautern. You can expect evenings full of dancing and music, for example from DJ DIDI, who blasts electric sound through the speakers.

Event: Lautrer Summer Evenings
Date: 13.06. – 22.08.
Activities: Dance, music, gastronomy

Enjoy this unique summer event, and if you need a break from dancing, just head to one of the nearby restaurants for a drink and something to eat.

#4 Summer tips for Leipzig

Richard Wagner is said to have once said: “The summer in Leipzig is unforgettable for me. I lived like in paradise.” You’re right, Richard! That’s how exciting the most beautiful time of year is in the trade fair city:

Leipzig New Lake District

The Leipzig New Lakeland was created from former lignite mining areas and invites you to enjoy wonderful excursions. You have a choice of different lakes, each with its own unique atmosphere – some are natural, others are perfect for sports enthusiasts:

These lakes are in your area:

Markkleeberger See (7 km away | with canoe park, also ideal for sailing)
Lake Cospuden (8 km away | very popular lake with a beach feeling)
Lake Zwenkau (14 km, geared towards water sports, somewhat snobby surroundings, but still great)

You should definitely explore the lakes by bike, as there are cycle paths around the lakes, with viewpoints, bathing spots, snack bars, restaurants and … oh, get on your bike and experience it for yourself!

International Bach Competition

Leipzig is known as the city of Bach, which has to do with the fact that the composer lived and worked here for 27 years. So it’s no wonder that Johann Sebastian gets his own competition here.

Date: 16-27.07.
Musical fireworks in a class of their own (violin, piano, voice & ensembles)
Performers dedicate themselves to various pieces by the artist
New sound highlights that you should not miss out on

Highfield Festival

When the sun pops, it’s time again: three days awake at Highfield on Lake Störmthal. Get ready for a line-up in a class of its own:

Alligatoah
Peter Fox
Trettmann
Rise Against
Cro

Any more questions? Nope? Very good. Then grab a tent and a sun hat (ultra-important, as there’s no shade!) and plenty of drinks of your choice to bathe in high spirits and the finest music at Highfield.

#5 summer tips for Nuremberg

The historic city of crafts and trade fairs has a multitude of summer highlights to offer. Our selection is the perfect mix of a diverse range of events.

Stadium Park Open-Air

Finch’s concerts are already sold out. But that doesn’t matter, because there are still tickets available for:

Status Quo + Spider Murphy Gang,
Wincent Weiss and
Save The Core.

Easily accessible and surrounded by greenery, the Stadionpark Open Air is perfect for summer vibes in Franconia.

Wakeboarding on Lake Brombach

The large reservoir is a good hour’s train ride from Nuremberg and takes around 50 minutes by car. The journey is worth it! You can hire wakeboards in the wonderful natural surroundings and have fun at the facility.

You have the choice between

the simple practice facility,
a 600-metre-long full-size cable and
a facility for advanced riders.

In the evening, you can relax at the beach bar sipping cocktails after a great day.

Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium

Blue skies and sunshine in summer are all well and good. But it’s really exciting to discover our starry tent in the large planetarium. In Bavaria’s largest star theater, you can explore stars, moons, planets and entire galaxies. There are also fascinating events that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

These events take place in summer (selection):

Time travel – from the Big Bang to mankind (13.07.)
The current starry sky over Nuremberg (31.07.)
Expedition into the solar system (15.08.)

Look beyond the proverbial horizon and spend at least part of the summer in space, in the most fascinating place of all.

A brief overview: These are the basics

A classic application contains the following basics:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
References / Certificates

That’s all it is.

But the devil is in the detail. Every company has different expectations when it comes to applications.

That’s why the most important tip before you do anything is to find out about the requirements for applications from your chosen company.

Many companies have career pages on their websites where you can find all the essentials, or at least the contact details of a contact person you can get in touch with.

You should definitely ask for this information. Knowing what your potential employer specifically expects from you will give you security and save you a lot of work when preparing your application.

Only then should you move on to step two: the cover letter.

How to write a banging cover letter

The most important thing about a strong cover letter is that you avoid boredom. Memorize these three “u “s and declare them your absolute no-gos from now on.

Print them out, make wall tattoos of them, whatever helps you to remember them.

It has to get into your head that cover letters should never, never, never be

impersonal,
uninteresting or
unoriginal.

Nowadays, the cover letter is the most important component of an application. This is due to the attitude of many employers in these times of skills shortages. They believe that motivation, drive and willingness to learn are much more important than grades or which university you attended.

The cover letter gives you the chance to express precisely these qualities. But this is precisely what many young professionals who have to write cover letters find difficult. They feel the pressure, they lack experience and not all of them are born copywriters.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be! Use AI tools to formulate killer cover letters. You should use AI tools to create your application in general, e.g. in our 10 creative tips further down in the article.

ChatGPT, for example, can really help with creative text drafts. But be careful: remember the three “u “s? You have to avoid them with ChatGPT as well, otherwise you’ll only get generic stuff (also called grits by us 🍮).

So tell ChatGPT what you want with a specific prompt.

Bad prompt:

Write me a cover letter for a job in marketing.

Good prompt:

Provide me with examples of strong, specific, powerful cover letters for marketing job applications.

You will then receive a wealth of examples and suggestions that you can refine and use as a starting point for your customized cover letter. The good thing about this prompt is that you comply with data protection regulations because you do not mention any company names or names of individuals.

The cover letter is the most time-consuming and most important part of a classic application. Of course, your CV should also be neatly written and your supporting documents (references, certificates) should be complete, but unlike the cover letter, this is a one-off job and you don’t have to redo these documents every time you apply.

So much for the traditional application and cover letter.

But hey, we live in 2024.

Aren’t there smarter ways to apply?

Of course there are!

Application yes, but original! 8 creative ways

Stand out from the crowd with these 7 creative applications. This is the single most important reason why you should be imaginative in your application.

Let’s get started!

#1 Create an application video

You have everything you need in your pocket to shoot a cool job application video – even inexpensive smartphones that have come onto the market in recent years have good to very good camera quality. The old bastard writing this article for you could only have dreamed of this over ten years ago when he was applying for jobs after university!

You can easily produce videos in HD or UHD quality with your smartphone. That’s quite enough. However, the microphones on most smartphones are shitty. We recommend upgrading here: Bluetooth microphones for video recording are available from Amazon for less than 15 euros. You won’t be able to record studio songs with these, but the audio quality will improve significantly. Plus, it just looks cool and influencer-like to wear one of these visibly on your shirt or blouse. 🤭

And what goes into a video like this? Above all, it has to be short, under a minute is ideal, even better under 30 seconds.

Use the video as a pitch. Tell why you are perfect for the job, what experience you have in the field and what you would like to tackle on your first day at the new company.

An application video has the strong advantage of being personal. The decision-makers at the company can see your facial expressions and gestures, hear your voice and get a first impression of you. So make sure you wear clean clothes, as you would in a job interview, and that the lighting is good, so that you are neither too bright nor too dark.

Yes, it’s all work, but you know what? This is precisely why you stand out, because the majority of applicants are not prepared to invest this work in an application video. So seize the opportunity!

#2 Create an application website

Nowadays, websites can be built in a weekend, and with a little practice it can be done even faster. There are two options that make sense for students on a budget:

WordPress (open source system)
Website builders (Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace etc.)

We recommend website builders because they are much easier to use than WordPress and because the leading providers offer attractive student discounts (Wix, for example, 50%). With the cheapest tariffs, that’s a few euros a month that you should definitely invest.

Why?

Because website builders allow you to use stylish professional templates for your application website that work flawlessly right from the start.

In just a few hours, you can create a professional online presence that will make you stand out to your potential employer. The providers ensure a smooth technical process, whereas with WordPress you often have difficulties with jumbled plugins … oh, trust us and just use a modular system, okay? 😉

Remember to include a link to your website in your application to the employer so that you can be found.

#3 Create a puzzle

People love puzzles.

Okay, not everyone, but most of us like to puzzle, whether it’s old-school Sudoku or gaming on a smartphone, PC & co. From simple word puzzles to complex mazes, there are no limits to your creativity.

Your puzzles should

be related to your job or industry,
be challenging, but not too difficult,
emphasize your skills and
be visually well designed.

Of course, your puzzles should also be solvable. If this seems like a no-brainer to you now, you’re absolutely right, but some people come up with the strangest ideas… 🤭

You can also use AI tools like ChatGPT to create puzzles. Theoretically, anyone can do this, but who is crazy enough to actually do it in an application?

Exactly!

So go for it.

#4 Develop a mini-game or an app

A mini-game or an app is even more ingenious than a puzzle, but also more complex. This tip is therefore particularly suitable for those of you with programming experience.

Meanwhile, there are also ways to program without code, but this is a topic that requires time, and you don’t have that if you want to create high-quality applications at the end of your studies.

These are fresh ideas for a mini-game:

Quiz App
Endless runner game (avoid obstacles, jump, collect rewards)
To-do lists with rewards

And these are great helpful apps:

Social media analysis tool
Time management app
Notes app with special features (e.g. handwriting recognition)

As I said, developing a mini-game or an app is a fine art, but that’s exactly why it’s so interesting and convincing for an application.

#5 Suggest improvements

If implemented correctly, this is an extremely effective and impressive way to land your dream job.

And it works like this: You specifically look for weak points that you notice as an outsider at your dream company. These could be, for example, spelling or forwarding errors on the company’s website that you have noticed. Pointing out such errors shows that you can work conscientiously and accurately, which is required in many jobs.

It doesn’t always have to be mistakes that you point out. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you could share suggestions on how to better implement social media campaigns. Perhaps you also know of channels that the company is not yet using or is using insufficiently. Create a mini-concept for this and submit it as an application.

But be careful, it can backfire if your criticism seems to come from above. Always remain friendly and respectful in your explanations, and you should always refer to your ideas as suggestions or approaches. Ultimately, it is up to the company to decide whether or not to accept your suggestions.

#6 Use the audio application

Applications via voice message are booming. For example, companies send you questions that you can conveniently answer with voice messages. Or you can instruct your voice assistant to start the audio application process with a simple voice command – if you have a voice assistant.

Companies that offer this want to make it as easy as possible for applicants. Often both sides, employers and employees, are happy about this because it eliminates the time-consuming cover letter. What’s more, voice messages are more personal than text and far less time-consuming than producing application videos.

Nevertheless, there are a few things you should bear in mind:

Use a good microphone, upgrade if necessary
Speak in a quiet environment without distracting background noise
Avoid filler sounds such as “um”, “ooh”, “uh” and clearing your throat
Keep it short
Write down what you want to say

Also practice out loud several times before recording and sending the voice messages. Voice messages for a job application should not be confused with the everyday chatter that we send back and forth via WhatsApp. The recordings must come across as serious, professional and clear, then you have the best chance of success.

#7 Write a story

Do you enjoy writing?

Then put your talent to good use and create an exciting story that captivates the reader.

How about the story of your own application that ultimately leads to you getting the job and achieving success for your dream company? The story can and should definitely come across as relaxed, with a pinch of humor and surprising twists. So it’s about entertainment, a bit like coming up with an exciting story for Netflix.

If the story is well written, you’ll make an impression. And by the way, storytelling is an important skill, especially in PR work, but also in product development and employee management.

Strong stories boost sales, motivate employees and attract investors. So your storytelling talent makes you even more valuable to the company.

#8 Send merch

The idea is so absurd and funny that it’s genius again: send your personalized merchandise to companies to draw attention to yourself.

Here are a few ideas of what you can now create yourself cheaply, quickly and with an individual design:

T-shirts
Stickers
Mugs and cups
USB sticks
mouse pads
Key rings
Calenders

Design tools such as Canva or NetSuite can help you with this. However, you should use the merch very discreetly. Imagine sending 500 unsolicited mouse pads to a company that nobody there needs. This is not only spammy, but also anything but sustainable. In the worst case scenario, you will attract negative attention from the company.

Merch should be used discreetly; it’s about the gesture, not the product itself. You can also cleverly combine different ideas, such as sending your video application on a USB stick with your logo or photo. However, you should definitely announce this in advance by email and be aware that IT will check your USB stick.

Apply passively: Let yourself be found!

This method is becoming increasingly popular and saves a lot of time: you create and activate profiles on portals such as Xing, LinkedIn or Znapp, upload your documents and – wait. But there’s a catch: because it’s so convenient, many people are jumping on the bandwagon.

You also take on a passive role and have to wait for companies to get in touch with you. And then it is far from certain that these are companies that suit you.

Our conclusion: The passive application is a nice-to-have that you can use. However, you should not rely on it alone, but always keep the sceptre in your own hands by actively approaching your desired companies with applications.

This is what happens when garbage is left lying around for too long

Garbage causes a lot of problems, whether in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne … garbage lying around is simply mega rubbish, always.

Garbage lying around

destroys the appearance of a clean, well-kept, liveable city,
attracts pests such as rats and mice, which can transmit diseases,
pollutes soils and water sources with harmful substances,
endangers children and pets at play (e.g. through broken glass) and
drags down the people who have to live in such an environment.

We say no to garbage lying around and want to do our bit, so on World Environment Day it was time for us to grab our garbage bags and clean up!

Want to find out more about the background to our campaign? Then read on now!

Why the campaign is important to us

We made a small contribution with the clean-up campaign on June 5.

Local authorities, public order offices, cleaning companies – they are all also fighting against waste in our environment. The problem: these institutions reach their limits every day, there is simply too much garbage that is carelessly thrown away.

That’s why we wanted to set an example on World Environment Day as the Staytoo family by getting involved. We set off in the morning, our team grabbed the bin tongs and bags to go on a litter hunt in Berlin’s Viktoriapark.

Muellaktion_1 — No chance for garbage: The STAYTOO-management and some students went on a garbage hunt on June 5. 💪

Plastic bags, disposable cups, cigarette butts, bottles, cardboard boxes – the garbage had many faces on this day. None of it was pretty, but no matter! After all, we were there to remove the garbage from the park.

We would never have guessed that it was so much fun. Let the pictures speak for themselves.

Muellaktion_2 — Such a waste campaign is a bit like a scavenger hunt, there is always something to discover.

So we had fun that day, were out and about a lot and wanted to set an example. Going out and picking up garbage yourself has so many positive effects that it’s always worthwhile, not just on World Environment Day.

Muellaktion_3 — Posing like an adventure influencer: our marketing man Cody just knows how to do it. 😂

Help the environment: Picking up litter makes your surroundings more liveable, healthier and more beautiful, not only for yourself but also for your fellow human beings, who will thank you for it.

Be a role model: Tackling things yourself and setting a good example sets an example. Other people will be inspired and motivated to do something good too. Personal initiative shows that it can be done! Inhibitions to get involved can be lowered in this way.

A sense of responsibility: When you pick up litter, you show that you care about what happens around you. It feels good to take responsibility and to realize that you have a positive influence on your environment.

Personal development: Parties and trips are cool, but it is precisely the responsibility you take on during such activities that helps you to grow as a person and mature. This doesn’t necessarily have to be litter picking, you can also get involved in other ways, for example at an animal shelter or in community gardens. Either way, your character will benefit from it.

As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to look after your environment. This starts on a small scale, for example if you see garbage lying around somewhere that you can pick up and throw in a garbage can.

However, please be careful and pay attention to hygiene, never touch broken glass of unknown origin or empty syringes! The safest way to dispose of waste is with waste tongs like the ones we used. You can buy them online for a few euros, or ask at your Staytoo house if you can borrow one.

Spread the word and take action yourself!

Do you like our campaign? Then tell your friends about it or, even better, start such a campaign yourself via social media!

Muellaktion_4 — Share our pictures of our anti-litter campaign and draw attention to it!

How about a short reel on Insta and TikTok where you announce that you’re starting a similar cleanup in a nearby park? Publish the reel a few days before the actual event so that potential helpers can plan.

A little tip: Topics such as sustainability and environmental protection are particularly popular on X (formerly Twitter), where postings about such a campaign also fit in well.

If you start an appeal on social media and find out about it through us, we would of course appreciate a props in the form of a mention. 👍

What else you can do for the environment

Here are some more tips on how you can do your bit for the environment!

Produce less waste yourself: The good deed starts with yourself: Review your consumption habits and ask yourself how you can produce less waste in your everyday life. There are now sustainable alternatives for many disposable products (e.g. reusable coffee cups for on the go), instead of a plastic toothbrush you can use a wooden toothbrush in future, etc. You will see that this is a super exciting journey to discover new ways to save waste, e.g. via tutorials on YouTube.

Separate waste: Unfortunately, a big problem nowadays is still that many people don’t separate their waste. Not cool. But it’s not that difficult if you use three small garbage cans or bin liners and empty them regularly into the right garbage cans. Make sure you also use the recycling centers to dispose of these materials and also take empty batteries and electronic waste to the appropriate collection points.

Support and educate associations: Become a member of associations such as the BDE (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.) and find out about the topic through local offers such as the BSR-Abfall-ABC in Berlin.

Over time, you will become a real professional and be able to pass on your valuable knowledge about waste separation, disposal and recycling. The better and more experienced you become, the more useful it can also be to give workshops on the subject, for example at your university.

Tip #1: You can always change your mind – but do it with style

Perhaps it will help you to remember that you are not making a decision for eternity. This sounds banal, but we often forget this when we have to decide for or against something.

Decisions are rarely final, not even whether you work in a start-up or a corporation, in other words: you can change your mind if you realize that you don’t feel comfortable in your job.

Of course, you should adhere to your employment contract and observe the relevant notice periods.

It’s also not cool to leave an employment relationship at the drop of a hat and leave your employer with a bunch of open projects. Word gets around quickly, which is why you should carry out a change of employer cleanly, i.e. fairly and transparently.

This includes informing your employer in good time about your move to another company. They will thank you for it because it will give them enough time to find a successor for you.

You should also always arrange a handover to a colleague or your successor so that no information is lost and the company can continue to operate seamlessly after your departure. This kind of behavior is legitimate and is good practice in both small and large companies.

If you take this to heart, you can switch from a start-up to a corporation and vice versa – no one will hold it against you if you are fair and honest. And this attitude is incredibly relaxing, isn’t it?

By the way: these days, it’s completely normal to move back and forth between smaller and larger companies over the course of your working life. So relax when you realize that you want to change – you’re far from alone!

Tip #2: Just try it out

By the time you start your career, you will have gained experience in the world of work, for example through part-time jobs and internships. But you won’t know what it’s really like until you’ve been working in a company for several days, weeks, months or even years.

So there is no way around trying things out. Look on the bright side: you are embarking on an exciting journey where you will gain a lot of experience and find out what you like and what you don’t like.

With this perspective, not an hour of work is wasted, not even in a company where you didn’t feel comfortable, because this stage in your life helps you to find out where you really belong.

So trying out jobs is always a good idea, even if you realize after a while that you want to change jobs.

But maybe things will turn out differently and you’ll feel right at home with your employer straight away. This can always happen, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a start-up or a larger company. The company has to suit you, that’s the key. In our article on this topic, you can find out how to find your ideal employer.

Start-ups: advantages and disadvantages

There are over 70,000 start-ups in Germany that create jobs. But what is it like to work in one of these hip small companies?

We show you the pros and cons.

Advantages of start-ups

Let’s start with the good things about being an employee in a start-up.

High responsibility

In a start-up, a few shoulders usually carry a lot of responsibility. This simply has to do with the fact that a start-up does not have the staffing levels of a large company.

So realize that you will have responsibility for important company processes after a short induction or even during it. If you enjoy it and you are someone others can rely on, it will feel exciting and fulfilling for you.

Broad range of tasks

The high level of responsibility also comes with a wide range of tasks: writing emails, organizing meetings, communicating with customers, processing returns … depending on the area in the company, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, and sometimes you may even jump into areas outside your field if a colleague is ill or on vacation. This will allow you to think outside the box and massively expand your skills.

Flat hierarchies

In a start-up, a direct line to the boss is the rule, not the exception. There are rarely intermediary superiors, and if there are, you will have to work together as equals to manage the workload. A start-up can only survive on the market if it is as efficient as possible; steep hierarchies are simply a hindrance.

Insights into entrepreneurship

By immersing yourself in a wide variety of areas, you get to know the start-up from the inside out. You often get an insight into the figures and sales targets. You will also get to know the founders’ working methods and how they deal with entrepreneurial challenges. All of this will significantly boost your self-employment.

Article tip: How to start your own business alongside your time in the lecture hall

Disadvantages of start-ups

Start-ups like to present themselves as cool and laid-back, on first-name terms with the boss and all that.

But there are also downsides …

High risk / uncertainty

Working in a start-up always means uncertainty. A business model that works today may be gone tomorrow.

Or a competitor overtakes you and dominates the market.

Or the investors might jump ship.

Or, or, or, or …

The uncertainties are high in a start-up, which is why your job is insecure. Added to this is the lack of statutory protection against dismissal for companies with fewer than ten employees.

High workload

Many tasks also mean that work in a start-up never stops. Even though there are many companies that try to avoid overtime for their employees, this will happen from time to time.

It simply doesn’t fit in with the hands-on mentality of start-ups to drop the pen at 5 p.m. on the dot and sign out on the time clock.

Instead, it is appreciated and expected that you as an employee give 110% every day and go the extra mile. However, this can be quite stressful in the long run and can upset your work-life balance, at least for a while.

But: hard work also helps you progress really quickly and broadens your horizons. You are young and can still really step on the gas, which will set the course for your career. So it’s not bad per se to pinch your cheeks together and work a lot – it just shouldn’t become a permanent state for months or years on end, as that wouldn’t be good for your health and motivation.

Limited budget

Large companies often have budgets in the five or even six-figure range – sometimes even more.

Start-ups can only dream of this; they have to cut corners at every turn in order to keep the money they have painstakingly acquired together through equity, crowdfunding, investors, etc. In practice, this means that you are initially unable to implement many things that would require considerable funds, which can be frustrating.

Not very representative

No one outside the start-up scene will know most start-ups. You won’t be able to score big points with them either on your CV or at a party interview. So if you’re looking for a job to flex your muscles, a start-up might not be the right choice.

Large companies: Advantages and disadvantages

A big salary, a company car, a stellar career – that’s what many companies promise.

But what does it really look like behind the scenes?

We show you the pros and cons of working in a corporation.

Advantages of large companies

The big players on the labor market are attractive to many employees. We’ll tell you why.

Economic stability

Large companies such as corporations are usually firmly established in the world of work. They have grown over many decades and successfully cultivate their field of business. Accordingly, they can offer their employees stability and security. Thanks to their own HR department, salaries are paid on time and everything is taken care of, from vacations to sabbaticals.

Clear career paths

Careers in large companies are clearly mapped out, from entry level to department head, the steps of the career ladder are clearly visible. However, it can take many years to reach them, during which you have to be diligent and committed.

Regulated working hours

In large companies, the classic 9-to-5 jobs are commonplace. You start on time in the morning and go home on time. Sure, every now and then there’s a project where you have to work hard, but otherwise you can rely on regular working hours and a predictable work-life balance.

Generous budget

Marketing can be really fun in a large company. Why? Because you can produce image films, run advertisements on social media and have high-quality posters printed for trade fairs. Everything costs money, of course, but this is often more readily available in larger companies than in start-ups, so you can really make a difference. That makes you happy.

High reputation

Large companies are rooted in their region and far beyond. Many of them have international locations and enjoy a good reputation. This will give you something exciting to talk about at parties and a great place on your CV if you ever want to apply elsewhere.

Disadvantages of large companies

Large companies are often said to be as sluggish as a tanker. Find out whether this is true and what other disadvantages there are in corporations.

Long decision-making processes (bureaucracy)

Before measure X, Y is implemented, the supervisor, the head of department, the intern and the boss himself have to look over your plan, which you have worked out in detail and in painstaking detail. Otherwise your idea wouldn’t have made it to the top in the first place.

The only problem is that half of the decision-makers are on vacation, sick or on a business trip. So your action plan is left to languish for weeks or even months.

These and similar experiences are extremely annoying, but are often part and parcel of large companies in Germany. The bureaucracy sometimes also comes about because entire departments inefficiently circle around problems instead of solving them quickly.

Anonymity

At most, you will meet many colleagues in the hallway with a nod of the head and a quick hello every now and then. However, you won’t have much or anything to do with most of them.

Your contacts are usually limited to the team you work in. And even there, your colleagues will be busy with their own, separate projects.

So a corporation works a bit like a big city: lots of people come together, but everyone does their own thing, which is why anonymity is high.

Few design options

In a large company, you have a clearly defined area of responsibility – then nothing happens for a long time. You want to get a taste of another area of responsibility? That has to be approved first.

Are you interested in another project? Even then you have to explain to the boss why, why, why. And even if you can convince him, it’s still not a given that you’ll expand your creative scope. Remember disadvantage #1, all the red tape?

OK, I now have an overview – and now what?

Jump straight to tip #2 in our article: Try it out! Think a start-up is cool? Then apply for a trial job there!

Would you rather get a taste of a corporate group? Do a trainee program that is limited in time and then decide whether you want to stay there or not.

What we’re trying to say is that structures today are nowhere near as rigid as they used to be. Have the courage to enter into different working relationships and also have the courage to say no to a company if it doesn’t suit you (anymore).

There are various paths open to you, which can also be cleverly combined: an internship in a start-up or in a larger company, where you can gain new experience in your first few years and switch when you feel like it.

Perhaps you will have gained enough experience by then that you want to start your own business? Here you can find out how to get started with self-employment during your studies.

It’s always about finding your own path. And that works best through experience: learning, adjusting, learning, adjusting. Some people find their dream job straight away, for others it takes longer. So what? The important thing is that you keep moving, then nothing stands in the way of a successful career.

Ensure clarity: What do I want?

To find the right employer, you first need to get to know yourself and find out what is important to you.

People are very different. Some people want to have a career and flex with lots of money, others want as much time as possible for themselves or for childcare. Still others value a cool team where work is fun.

In most cases, it is a mixture of different needs that employees value in their desired employer.

Sit down in a quiet minute and write down what is important to you personally with your employer. Don’t think about it, just write down everything that comes to mind. That’s what I did and it gave me a lot of clarity.

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out on your own what is important to you in a suitable employer. Then ask relatives and friends what they think of you. The perspective of people who know you well helps you to find out what is really important to you.

Extra tip: Visit the BiZ, the careers information center in your city. Competent people there will help you find suitable professions for you.

We also recommend that you take a personality test to find out about your strengths and talents.

These are popular and helpful personality tests:

Gallup’s personality test is the most complex and costs money, but in our experience it also offers you the most comprehensive and differentiated profile of your skills and character traits.

The 65 euros are a considerable outlay, but consider the test an investment in your future. In all likelihood, the test will lead you to the jobs that really suit you, so that you avoid bitter mistakes in your career choice.

The other two tests will help you to get to know yourself better, but are much more superficial. We recommend that you use them as an introduction or supplement.

Incidentally, support and advice from a career coach is better than any online test.

Let yourself be coached

Coaches – aren’t they the guys who stand on stage in skinny jeans, white sneakers and too-tight T-shirts and shout calendar slogans into the audience?

Yes, they exist too. And there are serious career coaches who may not reach an audience of millions on YouTube, but who will help you find suitable employers.

During the interview, the career coach will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes.

Based on this, the next step is to draw up a plan with you on how you can not only find your dream employer, but also convince them of you. Good career coaches know exactly what to include in an application these days and how to master an assessment.

A coach will also recognize key skills that they will work with you to develop, for example soft skills such as public speaking, body language, time management, etc.

What does a reputable career coach look for?

References: What learning and work stages has the coach been through that qualify them?
Testimonials: Are there credible recommendations from clients on the coach’s website?
Gut feeling: Do you have a good feeling about your contact with the coach, e.g. in emails and phone calls?

These pointers will help you in your search for a suitable career coach.

The next step is to get a taste of the world of work.

Do an internship

You’ve probably heard the term Generation Internship. It used to refer to young people who shuffled from internship to internship in the hope that this method would eventually lead to a good job.

Fortunately, the labor market has changed dramatically. There is still a shortage of skilled workers in Germany and employees are desperately needed, for example in the railroad, catering and manufacturing industries (chemicals, etc.).

Many employers are now open to career changers, in other words: in addition to professional qualifications, what matters nowadays is whether you are a committed, inquisitive employee.

This closes the circle: if you find the right employer for you, you are committed and motivated, which means the employer is satisfied with your work performance – a classic win-win situation.

That’s why the reputation of internships is much better today than it was ten or twenty years ago: It helps both sides, you and the employer, to find out if you’re a good fit for each other.

In addition, it is now much easier to be offered an attractive position after an internship. High-performing, committed employees are hard to find, and those who perform well during their internship have good prospects of finding an attractive job.

In our article on internships, you can find out what you should bear in mind when looking for an internship.

Extra tip: Don’t fancy a month-long internship to find out whether an employer is right for you? Then how about a trial working day? Suggest such a trial day to the employer and find out on this day whether you are a good fit for the company and vice versa.

Talk to (ex-)employees

Who knows more about a company than the people who work or have worked there?

Get to know the company and its employees at networking events such as trade fairs and talk to them. This will give you an idea of what it’s like to work for this employer.

Of course, it is particularly exciting if you can also talk to former employees who will tell you the pros and cons of the job in an unembellished and honest way.

But be careful, especially with ex-employees who only speak badly about the company. There are often personal or emotional stories behind this that are not very objective. You should therefore speak to several (ex-)employees to get a differentiated impression.

Be prepared for compromises

Finding the perfect employer where everything is right straight away is like the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.

Especially at the beginning of your career, you should be willing to compromise, because you don’t get anything for free.

Some advantages have to be earned through hard work and reliability. Many employers will first put you to the test (probationary period) to find out whether you are an employee they can rely on.

If you can prove this to them, later negotiations on topics such as working from home, flexible working hours, new work equipment, etc. will be much easier. So be prepared to make compromises with an attractive employer if everything else is right.

Start your own business

Become your own boss and start your own business. This way, you can create the job you want with the clients that suit you. In many areas of self-employment, you can work from home or on the road, whether during the day or at night is also up to you.

This applies, for example, to areas such as web development, design, copywriting, etc. In most cases, however, you will have certain core working hours, just like in a regular job, which has to do with the fact that you work for clients who are available during the day.

Caution: Self-employment may sound tempting, but it is a challenge. So that you don’t start out naive, but well prepared, we recommend our article on self-employment. It gives you solid tips on how to become self-employed while studying and why this is absolutely the best time.

#1 Haushaltsbuch: Free app for your budget overview

The first and most important step in dealing with finances is to get an overview.

Where does your money go? And how do you make sure that as little of it as possible disappears somewhere? Haushaltsbuch offers you a cool and easy way to do this by allowing you to enter your income and expenditure in seconds and structure them with labels.

The switch between different time periods allows you to monitor the development of your finances in the short, medium and long term. You can also create tags such as cinema so that you can immediately assign each expense or income.

Extra tip: Create photos of receipts for expenses that you can deduct in your tax return. You can attach these receipts directly to the respective expense in the app.

Using Haushaltsbuch is very intuitive and is attractively presented with bar charts and pie charts. Dry financial planning is now a thing of the past!

#2 Karma: voucher app for top deals

Do you know what the best way to save money is? By not spending it in the first place. And you don’t even have to make a big sacrifice if you use coupons and discounts. This app will help you.

Karma is a free browser extension that requires Google’s Chrome browser, which is also free. The app informs you about discounts and coupons for products that you add to your shopping list, for example, or browses online stores in real time to find the best prices for your desired items.

Another smart feature: every purchase you make via Karma earns you Cash Rewards, which you can use to continue shopping. Your wallet will thank you and you can still afford great clothes etc. We think that’s pretty lit.

#3: WISO Steuer: Your helper for your tax return

Wondering why you need a tax tool? After all, as a student you are not obliged to complete a tax return. But we strongly advise you to do it anyway, because: The law gives you the opportunity to get a refund for the costs of your studies as soon as you start your professional life. You can find out exactly how this works in our article on tax returns.

WISO Steuer made the difficult process simple: preparing a tax return with an easy-to-understand walkthrough. Screenshot: WISO STEUER

This means you can get back hundreds or even thousands of euros, depending on the extent of your expenses, that you invested in textbooks, laptop purchases etc. during your studies.

Have you now got the urge to prepare your tax return?

Then be sure to check out WISO Steuer, it’s child’s play: with this app you can do your tax return intuitively, because let’s be honest … the tax forms from the tax office aren’t exactly cool, in some places they’re even really difficult to understand.

Practical and hugely time-saving: transferring your data from existing tax returns or files. Screenshot: WISO STEUER

WISO Steuer translates the forms to a certain extent by asking you specific, easy-to-understand questions. You answer them and WISO fills out the tax return for you in the right places. Although the tool costs money, it is worth every penny because it will save you time and spare your nerves.

#4: Monkee: Save money

Did you have a piggy bank in your home that filled up over time?

Bring back that nostalgic feeling and bring your piggy bank into the digital age with Monkee.

Monkee_App-2 — *Savings plans for every occasion: Monkee helps you achieve your savings goals with structure and discipline. Photo: Monkee*

Enter in the app how much money you want to have saved by when – i.e. the amount you want to save. Monkee will then create a savings plan for you.

You can also create several savings plans, for example for a short trip or to buy a new smartphone. Practical, simple and straightforward – just the way we like it.

We’ve found that saving money this way finally works and, above all, effortlessly.

And it’s really satisfying when you can watch your account gradually fill up.

Monkee_App-5 — *Money back when you store: Monkee FutureBoost credits money to your account when you shop with the right partners via the app.*

Another cool feature: the FutureBoost from Monkee. You can use the app to make purchases with well-known partners and receive a savings amount credited to your Monkee account.

All in all, a well-rounded solution and a great, motivating savings app.

#5 Too Good to Go: Eat delicious food for free

Save money and do something for sustainability: How does that sound? Too good to be true, right? Too Good to Go makes it possible: do something good for your wallet and pick up food that restaurants and cafés would otherwise throw away.

In most restaurants, bakeries etc., there is something left over at the end of the day that would just end up in the bin – unless you pick up the food.

Sometimes there are a few rolls and pieces of cake, but often complete meals. Some restaurants also give away great surprise bags, so you’ll discover new culinary delights – and all at super low prices, often in the single-digit euro range.

If you hop on your bike to pick up your food, you’ll also be doing a bit of exercise and doing something for your health.

Too Good To Go shows you all the restaurants in your area that are part of the sustainable network.

What are you waiting for?

#6 Finanzguru: The all-in-one giant

The developers describe their financial guru as a “digital financial assistant”. And that describes the app pretty accurately, because you can use it to manage your accounts.

The way it works is that you link your accounts to the app, and it’s easy to link multiple accounts such as current and savings accounts. You can also enter contracts such as insurance policies.

Want more features? Finanzguru calculates your disposable income in real time based on your account transactions, predicts future bookings based on existing contracts, analyzes your spending habits, makes suggestions for improvement and gives recommendations for hedging risks.

It is also reassuring to know that Finanzguru’s servers are located in Germany. With data as sensitive as your own finances, that’s a good thing.

The service is so successful that it made it onto the TV show Die Höhle der Löwen (The Lion’s Den), where it won a big deal. We also think the app is great and are therefore happy to recommend it to you.

Shared flat or own apartment: difficult and expensive

Generations before you, it was quite normal to move into a shared flat or your own apartment.

Both have become really difficult today. The best example of this is Berlin: in the early 2000s, apartments were literally thrown at you and you could move in anywhere quickly and easily for a pittance.

Over the years, however, Berlin has become a boomtown, with more and more people wanting to live in this cool, exciting city.

This is one of several reasons for the housing shortage; similar developments can also be observed in Leipzig, for example, which has been called “Hypezig” since 2010 for good reason. The influx is simply huge.

In short: in many German cities, demand on the housing market is significantly higher than supply. This is creating a housing shortage and a veritable battle for living space is raging.

For landlords of such apartments, this is of course a dream, because there will always be someone who will move in despite the horrendous rents. And that person usually gets the apartment.

But it’s not just the housing shortage that has led to an explosion in costs. Rising energy prices are also making one-room apartments and even shared apartments unaffordable for students. In some parts of Berlin, for example, a room in a shared flat costs over 1,000 euros a month.

Who is supposed to be able to afford that as a student?

Student accommodation as a solution?

Local student unions offer halls of residence. They are furnished, which saves you the cost of buying furniture. In addition, kitchens are standard in most halls of residence, but with a big but. More on this in a moment.

Oh yes: a DSL Internet flat rate, electricity and utilities are also included in the rent of a hall of residence these days.

Perfect, isn’t it?

Well, almost.

The disadvantage of living in a student hall of residence is that you have to apply for a place. Places in halls of residence are in high demand, which is why you may be rejected. And then? What do you do when the semester is coming up and your application for a place in a hall of residence hasn’t worked out?

That’s pure stress, which nobody needs.

And if you’ve managed to get a place? Then the next surprise awaits you: your flatmate.

Many halls of residence rent out rooms in shared flats where students are thrown together. This means, for example, that you and your new flatmate each have a lockable room, but you have to share common areas such as the bathroom and kitchen.

In other words, you live with a complete stranger from one day to the next. This can go well, but there are regular conflicts. The most frequent point of contention is cleanliness, but different ideas about sleeping and resting times, visitors, etc. are also not uncommon.

Another negative aspect of student residences is that you may not feel comfortable with the furnishings. The often cheap furniture is only replaced every few years, and the mattresses on the beds … well.

All in all, living in a student residence will be a big adjustment if you’re coming from a cozy, individualized home.

Luckily, there is a smart alternative for student living, the perfect mix of all living arrangements: the student apartment.

Student living the smart way

When students or prospective students look for an apartment, very few people think of apartments. After all, it sounds kind of outlandish and expensive.

Hey, to be honest: a student apartment is not the cheapest way to live as a student. But it is the best!

And for the following reasons:

You have peace and quiet when you need it, for example when studying or when you want to stream your favorite series while lying on your bed in your pajamas.
You can meet and chat with other residents at any time, for example in the common rooms – so you’ll never be lonely. Oh, and did we mention the regular parties in the community rooms? 😉

They look like this, for example:

The student apartments are clean and tastefully, modern and furnished to a high standard so that you feel at home from the first day you move in. Of course, this also means that you have your own kitchen and bathroom.
Everything is included in the rent – electricity, water, heating and internet. So like a hall of residence? Nope, there are a few really cool goodies, e.g. all Staytoo apartments have their own gym or a good connection to a gym nearby. So after university, you come home, do your sports session and can slip straight into your apartment to shower and relax.
Our student apartments are not far away, so you have short distances and save a lot of time. They are also located in trendy city centers, e.g. in Berlin (Kreuzberg) or in Leipzig on the Karl-Liebknecht-Straße nightlife mile.
You can get help and support from an on-site Residential Manager at any time. Is your heating broken? Let the Residential Manager know and they will get it fixed as quickly as possible. Want to know where you can go partying and which bars and clubs are particularly popular? The Residential Manager will be able to tell you that too, as they are your local contact. Of course, this also gives you safety.

To summarize: student apartments are an ingenious concept that combines the advantages of other forms of living without having to live with the disadvantages.

Want to see for yourself whether apartment living is for you? Then book a convenient and free viewing appointment in one of our Staytoo homes. We look forward to seeing you!

Dark chocolate

Well, would you have thought that chocolate is one of the ultimate brain foods?

Caution: not every chocolate will get your brain working at full speed. The high cocoa content of at least 70% is important, preferably more. Cocoa contains flavonoids, which can promote blood flow to your brain.

Cocoa also lowers blood pressure, raises endorphin and serotonin levels (happy hormones, yay! 🥳) and has an anti-inflammatory effect thanks to antioxidants.

Tip: If you don’t like dark chocolate on its own as much as its whole milk siblings, we recommend grating it into your favorite yogurt so that its taste is no longer as dominant.

Wholemeal pasta & wholemeal bread

Even the Ludolf TV family knew how ingenious pasta is. His explanations are simply legendary:

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However, most of us eat “white” pasta, i.e. egg pasta or pasta made from durum wheat semolina. Although they taste delicious, they only contain a lot of carbohydrates.

They give you a good energy boost shortly after eating, but after a short high, your energy levels will plummet faster than your grades would if you stopped studying overnight.

The reason for this is the blood sugar level: it rises sharply when you eat light-colored pasta, whereupon the body shoots lots of insulin to deal with it.

In the long term, this not only promotes obesity, this constant up and down unfortunately also increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes.

Here’s the good news: you can enjoy pasta without having to put up with these negative effects, with wholemeal pasta. This brown pasta is available in all the same varieties as your favorite pasta, i.e. spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle, etc.

Unlike their white flour counterparts, wholemeal pasta contains:

More fiber
More B vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, etc.)
More minerals (zinc, iron, magnesium)

This nutrient-rich combination ensures that your body receives more nutrients than with white pasta. Wholemeal pasta also keeps you fuller for longer thanks to the fiber.

Here’s another piece of good news: all this also applies to wholemeal bread.

After all, bread is also made from flour. The difference is that with wholemeal bread, the “whole” grain is processed, including the germ and bran. With white flour, which you know from toast, light-colored rolls, baguettes, etc., the germ and bran are removed, along with a number of valuable nutrients.

We therefore recommend that you only eat wholemeal pasta and bread. They taste just as good as their white flour counterparts, but are many times healthier.

Tip for wholemeal bread: Toast your slices of wholemeal bread. This develops delicious toasted aromas, making the bread taste even more delicious. It also makes it really crispy.

Nuts

Salty peanuts are a must at any party. But you really can’t call them brain food.

But other nuts are real energy bombs.

These are the best brain food nuts:

Walnuts
Cashews
Hazelnuts
Almonds
Pistachios
Brazil nuts

What these nuts have in common is that they contain many good substances. Walnuts boast omega-3 fatty acids, while almonds and hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E. Cashews have protein on board, and Brazil nuts provide you with selenium, which is hard to get and so urgently needed by the body.

Of course, you’ve already figured it out: it’s particularly clever to combine different nuts into a nut mix. This not only gives you an incredible variety of flavors, but also a rich spectrum of nutrients. Exactly what we want from brain food!

Tip: Nuts are simply delicious as a topping on salads or pieces of cake. Definitely give them a try!

Fat fish

Yes, the trend in nutrition these days is clearly towards vegetarianism and veganism. “Fatty fish” doesn’t necessarily sound like something you should go for.

But again, we’re not talking about fish sticks from the deep fryer or smoked eel, although both can be delicious depending on your taste.

By oily fish, we mean types of fish that contain particularly high levels of healthy fats.

These types of oily fish are particularly healthy:

Mackerel
Salmon
Sardines
Herring
Trout

These fish species all score points with omega-3 fatty acids, but also with vitamin D, which is essential for survival and of which many Central Europeans have a deficiency.

At the same time, vitamin D is incredibly important for nerve regeneration, the regulation of neurotransmitters and sleep, among other things – all of which are factors for your fitness and ability to concentrate.

So our personal recommendation is: put more fish on your plate!

Tip: Salmon and trout are the mildest tasting types of fish. If you’re not a fish fan yet, try these two types of fish first. Mackerel and herring, on the other hand, are quite intense, so you can try them later.

Berries

Berries in all shapes and colors are true brain food.

These are the best berries:

Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Cranberries
Acai berries
Strawberries
Goji berries
Currants

You will of course be familiar with some of these, such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. But beware: it makes a huge difference which berries you eat.

You can assume that cultivated strawberries that you buy in December, which have logically been flown halfway around the world, contain hardly any nutrients. But that’s exactly what we expect from brain food.

The top criterion is: berries should be fresh and not from the greenhouse.

Strawberries from the field are better than strawberries from the greenhouse.

Wild blueberries are better than cultivated blueberries.

Of course, picking the berries yourself is the most fun. We have a special tip for this, namely the free website mundraub.org. There is a map there that lists fruit bushes, nuts, herbs etc. throughout Germany.

Mundraub.org_Screenshot_NEU — On the map at mundraub.org you can find freely accessible plants from which you can pick berries. Berlin has a lot of them to offer. Source: mundraub.org

Important: Make sure you wash picked berries etc. thoroughly before eating them. You should also only pick berries where they are publicly accessible, i.e. not on private land.

The great thing about picking berries is that it’s completely free and you’re out in the fresh air. So you’re not only doing something good for your health, but also for your wallet.

Tip: Thanks to the freezers in supermarkets, you are not dependent on the season when eating berries. You can find raspberries and even wild blueberries in any well-stocked frozen food section.

Green leafy vegetables

Popeye lied.

If you’re not yet familiar with the cartoon sailor and his love of cringe spinach, take a look at this clip:

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When we were kids, we were told with Popeye that we had to eat a lot of spinach because it contained a lot of iron, which makes you strong. It later turned out that this was total nonsense. Spinach has much less iron than we thought for decades. And all because of a decimal error!

Read the story of the iron lie in spinach here if you’re interested.

To this day, the spinach obsession from our childhood makes us feel salty when we think about it.

But wait a minute …

Was cartoon sailor Popeye right after all?

Well, yes.

This brings us to a very important and interesting point: there is no such thing as brain food that turns you into a learning and concentration machine. If there was, we’d all just eat it.

But that would be pretty boring, wouldn’t it?

The fact is that spinach contains lots of good and healthy substances, but it’s far from being the one-and-only power food it was once advertised as.

Incidentally, this is also a healthy brain food leafy vegetable:

Kale
wild garlic
Swiss chard
rocket
Lamb’s lettuce
Parsley

In addition to numerous vitamins (vitamin K, vitamin C) and antioxidants, green vegetables also contain chlorophyll, which gives them their typical green color. There are now exciting studies that suggest that it is good for our bodies. So green vegetables should also end up on your menu more often!

Tip: Don’t store green vegetables for too long, a maximum of 2 to 3 days in the fridge after purchase. This preserves most of the nutrients. As with berries, you can also use frozen spinach, parsley etc. with confidence. The plants are frozen immediately after harvesting so that their full nutrient spectrum is preserved.

Avocado

Avocados are great for your brain as they contain a number of valuable ingredients that boost your concentration, including potassium, magnesium, folic acid, unsaturated fatty acids and fiber.

This brain food also contains vitamin K, which is important for the communication between nerve cells.

Long story short: Eat more avocados, for example as a spread with a pinch of pepper or as a delicious guacamole: Cut two avocados lengthwise, scoop out the flesh, put it in a bowl and mix it with fresh, finely chopped garlic, pepper, salt and a dash of lemon juice. Yummy!

Eggs

Even the poet Wilhelm Busch got to the heart of the matter:

Everyone knows that, whoever it may be, the egg is healthy and strengthening!

Go for it, Wilhelm!

Eggs are simply great brain food that can be prepared in many different ways.

Here are a few variations for delicious eggs:

Fried egg
Scrambled eggs
Boiled eggs
Omelette
Stuffed eggs
Poached eggs

This is just a list to give you an idea of what you can do with eggs.

Poaching means that you put the eggs in hot water just below boiling point, around 95 degrees Celsius. This makes the egg white firm, but the yolk stays nice and soft. In the Eggs Benedict recipe, for example, eggs are prepared in this way.

Eggs are real nutrient bombs, let’s list everything you give your body when you eat them:

High-quality proteins (lots of them)
Vitamins (vitamin A, D, B12, E)
Omega-3 fatty acids
Carotenoids (antioxidants that are good for your eyes, among other things)

Tip: As already mentioned, you can also fill eggs by boiling them, cutting them in half and scooping the yolk out of both halves with a small spoon. Put the yolks in a small bowl and mix with mayonnaise, salt, pepper and dill.

Turmeric

In recent years, turmeric has become increasingly interesting as a brain food. In Ayurveda, an Indian healing system that is over 5,000 years old, turmeric has long been known as a remedy.

According to this teaching, the brain food turmeric is considered

anti-inflammatory,
liver cleansing,
skin-caring and
digestive.

It is also said to promote mental clarity. Perfect for a brain food, right?

The numerous positive properties are mainly attributed to curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric root.

We recommend buying turmeric as a root, fresh from an organic store. Supermarkets now also offer turmeric in their range, but here too you should look for organic quality to enjoy turmeric with as few harmful substances as possible.

Tip: The burner for us is golden milk, which is prepared with turmeric. Here’s how to make a glass: pour 300 ml of plant milk (e.g. almond milk) into a blender, add a piece of turmeric, a piece of ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and coconut oil (½ tsp each). Pour the blended milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil briefly. Your golden milk is ready! You can sweeten it with agave syrup, for example.

Green tea

Forget coffee. Too much of it will only make you nervous anyway and put a strain on your body.

The healthy alternative is green tea, which also contains caffeine, but much less than coffee (approx. 50% of a normal cup of coffee). In addition, green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that stimulates alpha wave activity in the brain, among other things. This creates a state of relaxation and concentration at the same time – perfect for effectively implementing learning methods!

Furthermore, studies suggest that green tea can promote blood circulation in the brain, which means that your brain cells are better supplied with oxygen and nutrients. You know that leaden tiredness when studying… With green tea, that’s history.

Tip: Don’t steep green tea for too long, otherwise it will become too strong and bitter. As a rule, the brewing time is a maximum of 3 minutes, preferably only 1 or 2 minutes.

#1 Studo: Your complete study overview

One app for your university emails, one for your courses, then another for your calendar and … stop! You’ll get a headache just listing them all. Studo is an all-in-one app where you have everything in one place.

You don’t have to enter your course dates by hand, just enter the university, course and semester. The courses are already entered in an overview, as well as in your Studo calendar. What we find particularly cool is the room plan, which shows you exactly where the course is taking place. No more endless searching for the right room on campus!

You can ask questions about your studies in the Studo chat and exchange ideas with fellow students. In short, Studo is the university in your pocket. Perfect!

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: 2.99 euros per month or 19.99 euros per year

#2 Studyflix: Learning app for your pocket

Study fast with Studyflix! The learning portal for students with over 5,000 learning videos. The videos are free and to the point. Instead of a lot of babble, there’s compact knowledge that you can absorb when it fits into your daily routine.

This will save you hours of reading books and the unsatisfactory search for learning videos on YouTube with annoying ads in front of them.

The videos are divided into subject areas and you can also create your own learning plan. Our personal tip: also use the flashcards that are provided with the videos. The combination of different learning methods increases the likelihood that you will memorize the knowledge well.

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: Free of charge

#3 Forest: The app for your concentration

Forest-EN-NEW — It all starts with a tender seedling: At Forest, you can push your learning progress with self-discipline and do something good at the same time. Source: Forest

Goodbye distraction, or as one user wrote in the Google Play Store: “Forest was an absolute game changer for me both in everyday life and during the exam phase.”

Why?

Firstly, because Forest ensures that you finally have peace and quiet and are left in peace. You can use it to block all other apps – i.e. disruptive factors – on your smartphone, or leave selected apps active that you need for your study session or for taking notes, for example.

Forest also rewards you with trees. Sounds a bit strange, but it’s beautiful and a great way to motivate yourself. Incidentally, you can also plant real trees with the app, so you are also doing something sustainable when you use the app. Definitely worth a personal recommendation for us!

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: Free of charge

#4 Duolingo: Learning languages the fun way

Duolingo-EN — Okay, the dog with the scarf could look a bit friendlier. Apart from that, Duolingo is a great app for learning languages. Source: Duolingo

You will always need languages, and to be honest: are the language lessons you had at school enough? Usually not, especially when you’re dealing with native speakers.

Duolingo makes it easy for you to learn languages in your everyday life and in a short amount of time – with 20 minutes a day, you are already considered an extreme learner for the app, but you can also start with a relaxed 5 minutes.

Duolingo is therefore also ideal for preparing flexibly for a semester abroad without spending too much time learning the language.

But here’s another important personal tip: don’t just use the app to learn – this applies to every language learning app. Native speakers always speak a little differently depending on the region.

We therefore recommend that you combine your learning success via the app with a language tandem partner. You can also use the option of learning with YouTube videos from content creators who are native speakers – simply switch on German subtitles and memorize the language, especially the intonation and speed of speech. This will greatly enhance your learning experience.

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: Free of charge

#5 Blinkist: Absorb knowledge in fast-forward

Blinkist-EN — Blinkist asks you about your interests and makes suitable book suggestions. You can browse through the books quickly and learn as you go. Source: Blinkist

Blinkist is a summary app, which is probably the best way to describe it. The service collects knowledge from books and podcasts and then makes the “know-how pearls” available to you – easily digestible as audio content.

This saves you hours of media consumption, which can be entertaining, but of course also takes up an incredible amount of time. With Blinkist, you get the main message of a book or podcast, because let’s face it: most sources don’t contain more than one really important core message anyway.

So you save yourself all the fuss and can continue researching from the core information, for example with these AI tools for research.

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: Free with a 7-day trial subscription, then €6.67 with an annual subscription for students

#6: Zotero: Work professionally and scientifically

Zotero EN — Currently still in Early Access, but will certainly be available to you soon: Zotero is a pioneering app in this important niche. Source: Zotero

During your studies, you will deal a lot with technical texts such as essays and monographs. Depending on your degree program, you will also have to work with diagrams, tables, statistics, etc.

Not only do you have to work through all of this, you also have to cite it correctly. If you try to do this by hand with sticky notes and footnotes in WORD or Libre Office … forget it. Doing it this way is not only incredibly tedious, but also error-prone.

Zotero helps you create a clean database of your sources and search them by keyword.

Note: Zotero is currently in Early Access mode, in which the app does not currently allow new users. The developers are working hard to finalize the app, so you should already have it on your screen and check back regularly to see if you can install it.

Operating systems: Android & iOS
Prices: from 20 $ per year

#7: Scanner Pro: Scan notes and documents professionally

PK_Scanner_1 — Fast, easy and amazingly effective: put an end to paper chaos thanks to Scanner Pro! Source: Readdle

Lecture notes, certificate of enrolment, course certificates: you get documents like these from time to time – and then? Put them in a folder?

No matter how well you file, sort and categorize these papers … in the long run, it will get on your nerves to keep digging out the folders and there is a high risk of losing a document in the process.

Why not digitize all the documents you come across during your studies? Of course, you can and should continue to file the printed originals. But with Scanner Pro, you can have them on your smartphone in no time at all, copy them as you wish and upload them to a cloud, for example, so you can access them from anywhere.

For example, you can access your documents even when you’re visiting your parents, going for a walk in the park or abroad.

Wondering if you could just use your cell phone camera?

You can, but then it’s just … Or to put it another way: then you just have photos of your documents.

Scanner Pro, on the other hand …

… automatically creates high-quality PDF files,
… has a full-text search function for your scans,
… allows annotations and password protection for your documents and
… enables auto-uploads to the cloud(s) of your choice.

Scanner Pro is only for Apple users and costs money, at least 19.99 euros per year. But this is an app that is well worth the investment. I promise!

Tip for Android users: Use CamScanner, also a PDF scanner app. Although the app is nowhere near as fancy as Scanner Pro, it has the same features on board.

Operating systems: OS
Prices: from 19,99 Euro / year

Fasching vs. Carnival

Whether it’s called Fasching, Fastnacht or Karneval depends in Germany on the region. In Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Fasching is celebrated; i. a. in northern Germany and the Rhineland, the festive season is called Karneval; in Hesse, Saarland and many other regions, Fastnacht. What is meant, however, is the same thing: the foolish season that begins on 11.11. at 11:11 a.m. and culminates with parades and festive meetings in February of the following year.

Note: For the sake of readability, we mainly use the term Fasching in this article, friends of carnival may forgive us.

Important Fasching terms

Are you ready to go to your first Fasching in Germany and celebrate with other people? Then you should know the following terms and their meanings:

Weiberfastnacht: Weiberfastnacht refers to the transition from the session Fasching to the street Fasching. So it is celebrated in costume in the streets, bars and pubs of the cities. In the past, the night was dedicated to women, but today this custom has loosened and all genders celebrate Weiberfastnacht. Depending on the region, the celebrating women are also called Möhnen. Caution, however, still to the well-dressed gentlemen: on Weiberfastnacht, men’s ties are cut off if they wear one.

Fastnacht: Fastnacht is not to be confused with the women’s carnival. The term Fastnacht is instead a regionally different term for Fasching or carnival. Alternatively, Fastnacht is also referred to and pronounced as “Fasnacht” or “Fassenacht”.

Rosenmontag: Especially in Rheinhessen and the Rhineland, Rosenmontag is a highlight that is celebrated with the Rosenmontag parade. A special feature is that Rosenmontag in the Fasching strongholds is a de facto holiday, but not a public holiday. So it is actually a normal weekday, but one on which people celebrate exuberantly.

Aschermittwoch: Aschermittwoch heralds the end of Fasching and the beginning of Lent, which lasts until Easter. In the Christian religious context, Aschermittwoch is meant to remind us of those days Jesus spent praying and fasting in the desert.

Lent: Aschermittwoch heralds the beginning of Lent. Lent lasts until Good Friday and also has a religious origin. In the past, people abstained from eating during Lent, but nowadays they fast in different ways, for example by not smoking, not drinking alcohol or abstaining from social media during Lent. So today, many people choose for themselves which vice they want to give up during Lent.

Funken-/Tanzmariechen: The term goes back to the so-called sutlers. These were women who had already accompanied soldiers in the Middle Ages and provided them with various services and goods. Among other things, the sutlers had also danced and were called in this context “Funken-” or “Tanzmariechen”. Today Tanzmariechen are the representatives of the local Fasching clubs and have to apply for this position.

Jeck/Narr: Jeck is another word for fool in the Rhineland. Both mean any person who actively participates in Carnival or Fasching, but is not organized in a corresponding club.

Narrenruf: greeting call of the Jecken among themselves, which differ regionally. From “Kölle Alaaf” (Cologne) to “Helau” (Düsseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz), “Ahoi” (Baden area) and even “Wau Wau” (in the Bayreuth area, among others), there are also battle cries such as “Alleh hopp” in Saarland and “Schelle, Schelle, Schell au!” in Wangen in Allgäu.

Session: Another term for the Fasching, carnical or Fastnacht season.

Umzug: Primarily floats, masquerade and dance groups that parade through the streets in costume, often making political-satirical jokes. Sweets, flowers, etc. are thrown into the crowd from so-called parade floats.

Carnival events near you

We introduce you to the top carnival events near your Staytoo apartment!

Berlin

Berlin can’t do carnival? Not at all! The capital has a lot going for it, even though one of the biggest events only takes place outside the carnival season. Good vibes only guaranteed.

Karnevalsparty 2024

The Karnivalsparty 2024 is the place to be – or rather anyone with a party spirit. In the “epicenter of carnival madness”, as it says on the website, you can shake a leg to foolish DJ music. What we particularly like: not only is fun on the dance floor guaranteed, the entrance fee also includes a delicious buffet.

Where?

Alt-Wittenau 66
13437 Berlin

When?

February 10, 2024 | 4:11 p.m.

Admission?

39,11 € per person

Our rating: 4 out of 5 party hats

Karneval der Kulturen

The Carnival of Cultures is known as a spectacle far beyond the city’s borders. Over several days, you can admire entire parade groups in dazzling colors and celebrate diversity with people from all over the world. Last year, over 1 million people took part in the spectacle and the atmosphere here is simply unique.

We love this colorful mix of music and dance, festival and parade, plus the workshops and performances and of course the many different food stalls from all over the world with their delicious highlights.

Where?

Kreuzberg & Neukölln (you can find the exact route a few weeks before the carnival starts on the organizer’s website)

When?

May 17 to 20, 2024

Admission?

Free of charge

Our rating: 5 out of 5 party hats

Leipzig

The boomtown in eastern Germany has traditional carnival clubs – so the people of Leipzig know how to party. Immerse yourself in the shrill world of carnival in Leipzsch! You’ll have an unforgettable time with our event tips.

Leipzigs MEGA Faschingsparty 2024

Are you ready for a gigantic carnival party on 3 floors with the best hits from the 90s, 200s and 2010s? Let the fat party tracks that will make the walls in the Täubchenthal shake around your ears.

Balloons, glitter, confetti – we think it’s great that the organizer really pulls off the carnival concept in his Happy Place. Incidentally, this also applies to dressing up, as costumes are compulsory! If you turn up without a costume, admission will be more expensive. If that’s not motivation to make a real effort with your costume this year.

When?

February 10, 2024 | Admission: 10 p.m.

Where?

Täubchenthal
Wachsmuthstraße 1
04229 Leipzig

Admission?

From 15,65 Euro in advance (without costume additionally more expensive)

Our rating: 5 out of 5 party hats

Great Leipzig Rose Sunday Parade

Lioness Leila, the city of Leipzig’s carnival mascot, will once again lead the parade this year. Leipzig carnival clubs as well as friendly clubs and companies from the region organize the spectacle, which you should not miss.

Why? Because the Rose Sunday parade is unique in the east and is in no way inferior to the carnival spectacles in other federal states! We recommend the parade to anyone who misses carnival in eastern Germany and wants to feel at home.

When?

February 11, 2024 | 2 p.m.

Where?

Starting from Brühl through Leipzig’s city center

Admission?

Free of charge

Our rating: 4 out of 5 party hats

Kaiserslautern

In Kaiserslautern, carnival has a long tradition: every year, parades and parade sessions invite those in the mood to celebrate. Away from the usual carnival events, we have picked out two delicacies for those who are lit.

KOMPLETT KRANK

One thing is clear: this event will certainly not be boring! The organizer explicitly calls for the craziest party people in town. Are you one of them? Then let’s go!

Free pizza will be handed out at 00:00 and free beer will be available at all bars from 01:00. Do we really need to give you any more reasons to show up and have fun?

We think so much craziness is great, and especially the idea of being added to the guest list via DM on Instagram beforehand. Neon bracelets on your wrist reveal what you’re in the mood for at the party – just dance or flirt? You decide.

When?

February 09, 2024 | Admission: 10 p.m.

Where?

Night shift Kaiserslautern
Zollamtstraße 28
67663 Kaiserslautern

Admission?

From 11.99 euros (EARLY BIRD TICKET)

Our rating: 5 out of 5 party hats

Dansberger Fasching

After a three-year break, the time has finally come again: the Dansberg Carnival has opened its doors. There will also be a happy hour again, with music from Kaiserslautern DJ IzzoBeatz blasting from the speakers.

There will also be a special treat that has not yet been revealed. Let us surprise you! We look forward to a relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices at the Dansberger Fasching.

When?

February 10, 2024 | Admission: 7:00 p.m.

Where?

At the handball court 1
67661 Kaiserslautern

Admission?

10 Euro (VVK)
12 Euro (box office)

Our rating: 4 out of 5 party hats

Nuremberg

Already for sailor’s yarn in Nuremberg? Sounds weird, but that’s exactly how carnival should be, right? With our party tips, you can throw yourself right into the fun.

Seemann’s Fasching

There will be plenty of partying on board the Mississippi Queen. The carnival party takes place on three decks, with a rich music program ranging from Malle hits to Neue Deutsche Welle and Schlager. You can listen to oldies in the Kapitän’s Bar. Experiencing the whole thing on an American-style steamer is an incomparable experience. Ahoy!

When?

February 12, 2024 | 9:00 p.m.

Where?

Mississippi Queen
Donaustraße 40
90451 Nuremberg

Admission?

11,21 Euro

Our rating: 5 out of 5 party hats

Illusion – Carnival party

Carnival completely informal, with or without a costume, even jogging bottoms are expressly welcome: This is how it’s done at the Illusion, combined with delicious special drinks and accompanied by disco/pop music.

What we appreciate: The organizers raise awareness when choosing costumes by asking that no boundaries be crossed or stereotypes reproduced. This way, carnival can take place safely.

When?

February 12, 2024 | 9:00 p.m.

Where?

Z-Bau
Frankenstrasse 200
90461 Nuremberg

Admission?

6-8 Euro (box office)

Our rating: 4 out of 5 party hats

Bonn

The “fifth season” plays an important role in Bonn, as you will see from the Bonn carnival revellers and their colorful costumes. Join them and visit these top events at carnival time.

BonnLive Carnival Concerts

Several carnival concerts take place on Münsterplatz during the high days of carnival. The Live Open Air brings together numerous well-known musicians, including the Cologne band Cat Ballou, the famous Rhineland carnival group Funky Marys, Mo-Torres and many more.

Delicious food and drinks will also be provided. If you can hardly wait for the festival season and want to chillax at the same time, then in our experience the BonnLive carnival concerts are just right for you!

When?

Where?

Münsterplatz

Admission?

From 27,25 Euro

Our rating: 5 out of 5 party hats

FUN KÖLSCH KARNEVAL | Carnival Saturday at the Brückenforum Bonn

Are you ready for Ikke Hüftgold? He will be performing at the FUN KÖLSCH KARNEVAL, as will many other artists. DJ Chris will also be playing the biggest carnival hits to give you an unforgettable carnival time. In our opinion, the fact that this good mood event takes place on a Saturday is an additional goody, and you can also flex your costume in public.

When?

February 10, 2024 | 9:00 p.m.

Where?

Brückenforum Bonn
Friedrich-Breuer-Straße 17
53225 Bonn

Admission?

From 18 Euro (VVK)

Our rating: 4 out of 5 party hats

Popular carnival strongholds

In Germany, there are popular carnival strongholds where you can see great parades and join in the celebrations. At the carnival, the Rhineland in particular stands out as a carnival stronghold with Cologne, Mainz and Düsseldorf.

Cologne

In Cologne, the carnival parades begin on Shrove Monday at 6 p.m. at the Alter Markt. From there, the huge carnival parade with kilometers of floats continues through the city center. This year the carnival parade is something very special: after 200 years it will take place with a new route and in a new form. Alaaf!

Mainz

Mainz is world-famous for its Rotenmontagsumzug and Youth Mask Parade on carnival. Carnival event highlights include the Meenzer Fassenacht (Feb. 16), the Büttendance Open-Air (Feb. 10 / 6:11 p.m.), the Altweiber Party (Feb. 16 / 7:11 p.m.) and the Prinzengardeball (Feb. 18 / 8:11 p.m.) as well as DER BALL – Die Nacht der Narren (Feb. 18 / 7:33 p.m.).

Duesseldorf

In Duesseldorf the Weiberfastnacht and the Karnevalssonntag belong to the carnival high points. Traditionally on carnival, the so-called Möhnen – an older word for women – storm Düsseldorf City Hall in the Altweiberfastnacht at 11:11 a.m. sharp and imprison the mayor. What sounds dramatic is a long-held, harmless carnival custom accompanied by lots of fun and colorful costumes.

Munich

Bavaria’s capital city offers lively festivities for Fasching fans. The Munich Dance Night (11.02.), the Children’s Fasching (12.02.), the Ball of the Stars (17.02.) and the Jamboree Ball (19.02.) are known far beyond the state borders.

Other carnival strongholds

Other carnival strongholds in the country can be found in Aachen, Bremen and Marne. Check the city websites for exact parade routes and start dates for carnival!

Fasching also takes place in Würzburg, and the term is also used in Saxony, as well as in parts of Austria. You can find the dates for Fasching events on the websites of your region.

Tips for your Fasching costume

Of course, the fifth season is most fun in the right costume. We have collected a few tips for the ideal Fasching costume:

Feel comfortable in your costume. This is probably the most important tip when it comes to choosing a costume. Choose your costume according to whether you feel comfortable in it, only then you will have fun at Fasching or carnival. Slip into several costumes to find the right one for you.
It can be colorful and flashy! Fasching is all about standing out. Not an easy task with so many people around you who are also wearing costumes. Therefore, choose bold colors, these days are made for extroverts!
Humorous and funny, but be careful: Fasching or carnival has always been an opportunity to make fun of politics and social grievances. Beware of overly cynical or culturally offensive depictions, however, or unwanted discussions could await you instead of fun.
Dress warmly enough: February is a cold, often wet month in Germany. So if you want to avoid catching a cold, don’t venture too freely among the revelers.
Topicality wins: Of course, the easiest way is to don the old theme party costume in a Spiderman or cowgirl look. However, it is much better to wear a costume that is contemporary, such as the Joker from Batman or Wednesday Addams. You’ll definitely score points with that at the next parade.
Full body costumes are practical: Full body costumes are super easy to put on, are a complete outfit without much preparation, fun, and depending on the fabric, keep you nice and warm. Highly recommended for beginners!
Embellish purchased costumes yourself: Use different patterns and accessories to spice up your costume. Rhinestones, fairy lights, hats or epaulettes: The possibilities for this are almost endless.
Group costumes make more of an impression: You’re going to Fasching/carnival with friends? How about wearing costumes together? The quasi-uniforms will make you stand out even more in the crowd.

Your 5-point guide to trade fair success

Here are the 5 most important tips for the time before, during and after the trade fair.

#1 Make a plan

Never go to a trade fair without clear goals. Find out what you can achieve at the fair: Do you want a job with a particular company? Check the exhibitor directory to see where the company has its stand. Research what the company is currently up to – most companies have news sections on their website. This will show the decision-makers that you are interested in the company’s interests and will be remembered. If you do this well, you will have massively increased your chances of being hired, even before an interview.

#2 Create business cards

These days they don’t cost much and are super-easy to create. Simply select a template from one of the many major providers, enter your contact details, send off your order – done! The cards will be with you a few days later. Extra tip: Think about a stylish business card case to perfect the classy, professional impression you want to make on the person you’re talking to. Smart cases only cost a few euros.

#3 Train your public image with friends / in front of the mirror

Pretend you are talking to the HR manager of your dream employer. Observe your facial expressions and gestures or have your friends observe both. Are you standing there with your shoulders slouching? Are you mumbling? Do you use your hands to emphasize what you are saying? What posture do you adopt when you imagine you are listening to the other person? Get feedback and work on improving your appearance (shoulders back, smile more, etc.).

#4 Dress like you’re going to a job interview

We’re talking business attire here – suit, blazer, just what you would wear in a professional setting. Remember: A visit to a trade fair stand is always a first date between employer and potential employee. And you would dress up for a date, wouldn’t you?

#5 Keep going after the trade fair

The trade fair days were exhausting, you had great, promising conversations, but you’re also happy to get back to your daily routine. Time to put your hands in your lap and wait for the companies to come knocking on your door, right? No! Before the event is after the event, with the difference that you have made a good first impression on the recruiters at the event. Now you should definitely keep at it and follow up, e.g. by sending an email to emphasize how much you enjoyed the interview and that you would be happy to make further contact. Be absolutely specific here.

Not like this:

Hello Mr. Müller, thank you very much for the interview, I would be happy to have further contact with you.

Like this:

Hello Mr. Müller, thank you very much for the interview on 09.11. at TALENTpro, which we had over an afternoon coffee at around 2 pm. During our exchange, I found your mention of an open trainee position in product development in the new year particularly interesting. I would be happy to talk to you about this in more detail if you are interested. Would the coming Thursday afternoon suit you, e.g. in the form of a digital coffee call via Teams?

I can offer these timeslots:

11 a.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.

I would be very happy to hear back from you.

Also, be careful not to come across as spammy, that would be the other extreme. You should definitely respect a statement like “We’ll get back to you” and follow up in a friendly manner after a few days at the most. If nothing comes back, let it go, otherwise it will backfire.

The best career events at a glance

Now you’re perfectly prepared for career events. But which ones should you attend? Here are our suggestions.

Job and training fairs in Nuremberg

Nuremberg is an important economic center in the region, with companies from the medical technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering sectors in particular being based here. The job and training fairs in Nuremberg are correspondingly diverse.

#1 Jobmesse Nürnberg 2024

Large exhibitors such as the German Armed Forces, ALDI Süd, Deutsche Bahn etc. are represented at this well-known job fair. But you will also find smaller companies here.

Where?

Meistersingerhalle
Great Hall
Münchener Str. 21
90478 Nuremberg

When?

February 21, 2024- 12:00 to 18:00

Why?

In the past, the Nuremberg Job Fair has made a name for itself through good organization, excellent visitor support and great after-work events. The exhibitors were also very satisfied, which suggests that you will also find motivated contacts for your questions this time.

#2 Karrieretag Nürnberg

The Career Day Nuremberg invites you: Find your perfect job here, or take advantage of the resume and application portfolio check program. Career coaching sessions and a number of presentations on career preparation and promotion also await you.

Where?

Meistersingerhalle
Münchener Str. 21
90478 Nuremberg

When?

May 14, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why?

The Career Day offers the perfect mix of job fair and further training without having to invest several days, as would be the case at a traditional trade fair. Especially cool: You can have your application photos taken by professional photographers on site and take them home with you – free of charge!

#3 Studien- und Ausbildungsmesse Stuzubi

Stuzubi is aimed at young people who are looking for a training or study place. As a hybrid event, it offers an all-in-one package to inform you about the various careers, both at universities and at well-known employers such as the Bavarian Police, German Air Traffic Control and many more.

Where?

Meistersingerhalle
Large hall
Münchener Str. 21
90478 Nuremberg

When?

January 20, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

March 23, 2024 (online) – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why?

Visitors to the trade fair emphasize the versatility of the exhibitors at the event – exactly what you want at a trade fair, right? Stuzubi is perfect for you, especially if you don’t yet know exactly what training you want to do or what you want to study. You will also meet young people there who will talk about their experiences first-hand.

Job and training fairs in Leipzig

The trade fair city of Leipzig has been considered a boomtown for years, and renowned companies such as Amazon and BMW have important locations here. At the following events, you can find out what exciting career paths you can take in Leipzig and the surrounding region.

#1 Jobmesse Leipzig 2024

With over 170 exhibitors, the Leipzig Job Fair is one of the largest career and recruiting events in Germany. The exhibitors specifically look for talented people and answer your questions in the first contact, which is why you have the best chance of finding the right job for you here.

Where?

Congress Center Leipzig (CCL)
Seehausener Allee 1
04356 Leipzig

When?

January 27, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why?

We have found that this trade fair is not just “aimed at the masses”. Instead, both exhibitors and visitors take the necessary time to have interesting and exciting conversations. Another special feature is the location: the modern Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) also hosts other popular events such as the Leipzig Book Fair. The Center opens its doors to you at the end of January, where you can take your first steps towards a career.

#2 Stuzubi Leipzig

Still not sure what you want to study or what career you want to pursue later? At Stuzubi, you can talk to people who will share their experiences of the careers they have chosen. We find this mega-exciting and, above all, authentic and helpful for making a decision.

Where?

KONGRESSHALLE at the zoo
Pfaffendorfer Str. 31
04105 Leipzig

When?

March 02, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 23, 2024 (online) – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why?

At Stuzubi you will get real insights from trainees and students: How does everyday life work, what do you learn, what tasks and opportunities await you? Make sure you also take part in the Job Slam, where top exhibitors pitch their offers for you. And then there’s the unique location: the Congress Hall in the middle of Leipzig Zoo – how cool is that?

#3 azubi- & studientage Leipzig 2024

The azubi- & studientage Leipzig is taking place for the 23rd time – over the years, the event has constantly evolved so that you can not only chat with the exhibitors, but also hand them your application. It couldn’t be more personal! If you only discover your dream career (e.g. a dual study program) at the event itself, no problem – you can submit your application online after the initial contact with the employer.

Where?

Leipzig Trade Fair
Messe-Allee 1
04356 Leipzig

When?

November 08, 2024 – 09:00 to 14:00
November 09, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why?

The azubi- & studientage will help you to filter out the right one for you from the huge range of training and study courses on offer – not just through information, but through personal contact with the universities of applied sciences, universities and training companies at the stands. This is very important during these days, so that you can get an impression and get a feel for which career is right for you.

Job and training fairs in Bonn

As the former federal capital, Bonn still has an important place in the German economy. Explore these events in Bonn to prepare for your future.

#1 Karrieretag Bonn

“Job hunting couldn’t be easier” – that’s the promise of the Bonn Career Day, or to be more precise, two career days on which the Telekom Dome opens its doors to you. Talk to decision-makers from well-known companies about your career opportunities and get coaching from a professional to boost your chances on the job market.

Where?

Telekom Dome
Basketsring 1
53123 Bonn

When?

April 11, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
October 10, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why?

At this event, you will be optimally prepared for your career start with coaching, lectures, workshops, CV and application portfolio checks. Of course, there will also be a free application photo shoot. What more can you expect from a job event? Exactly.

#2 Bonner Hochschulmesse 2024

The Bonn University Fair can be described as a melting pot of universities and universities of applied sciences in the region. In addition to the University of Bonn, contacts from the University of Cologne, the University of Koblenz and numerous other exhibitors will be on hand to answer your questions.

Where?

Maritim Bonn
Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 1
53175 Bonn

When?

February 19, 2024 – 12:30 to 17:30

Why?

Organized by the Bonn Careers Advisory Service, the Bonn University Fair offers an important information hub for prospective students looking for the right course of study. The fact that the number of exhibitors does not exceed 30 ensures that you can take a closer look at the individual universities and their offers instead of being overwhelmed by an excess of choice.

#3 Fakultätskarrieretag Bonn

This event for prospective lawyers is a face-to-face fair with an online component. If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in law, you should mark this event in red pencil in your calendar.

Where?

Exhibition tent
Parking lot behind the Juridicum
Adenauerallee 24-42
53113 Bonn

When?

June 11, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why?

The fusion of online and offline is brilliant at this event. Create a profile before the fair, search for employers who could be a match and receive an invitation for an interview. This way, you can prepare for the interviews before the event and give your law career a powerful boost.

Job and training fairs in Kaiserslautern

Do you like Kaiserslautern and would like to gain a foothold here? Then take a look at the following job and training events.

#1 Treffpunkt Kaiserslautern

Treffpunkt Kaiserslautern is an initiative by students for students. The organizers call the event a company contact fair, and that’s exactly what it’s all about: Meeting promising employers from the region.

Where?

Treffpunkt GbR
Erwin Schrödinger Str. 57
67663 Kaiserslautern

When?

June 11 to June 13, 2024 (time unknown so far)

Why?

The special feature of this event is that students from TU Kaiserslautern are responsible for organizing the fair themselves. They know exactly what is important at such an event and what is important for you. Furthermore, the event is under the auspices of the TU, which guarantees additional quality in the placement of internships, dissertations, etc.

#2 bonding Firmenkontaktmesse Kaiserslautern

Find out directly at bonding about internships, entry opportunities, career opportunities, etc. This fair is also organized by students for students.

Where?

TU Kaiserslautern
Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 28
67663 Kaiserslautern

When?

November 20 to November 22, 2024 – 09:30 to 16:30

Why?

bonding is the central event, but “more than just a trade fair”, as the website says. This means that other exciting events such as excursions, lectures and competitions take place around bonding. Use bonding as a starting point and find out about other events here regularly.

Job and training fairs in Berlin

The capital has a large number of recruiting and career events. We have fished out the event gold nuggets for you!

#1 15. jobmesse berlin

Regional employers such as the Berlin fire department and the Neukölln district office as well as national institutions such as the Federal Criminal Police Office and customs will be presenting themselves at this event. Of course, you will also find private companies looking for committed young talent.

Where?

ARENA BERLIN
Eichenstraße 4
12435 Berlin

When?

March 02, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
March 03, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why is this happening?

This event goes far beyond the classic job interview. Application portfolio checks, application photo shoots and expert presentations create a program that will make you feel completely at ease as a potential applicant.

#2 vocatium Berlin

If you are still looking for a place to study, vocatium Berlin is the right place for you. This event is characterized by personal talks and a programme of lectures.
Where?

Where?

ARENA BERLIN
Eichenstraße 4
12435 Berlin

When?

June 19, 2024 – 08:30 to 15:00
June 20, 2024 – 08:30 to 15:00

Why?

vocatium Berlin stands out from the crowd of recruiting events with its personal, scheduled discussions. This means that both visitors and exhibitors can prepare for these meetings and approach them in a targeted manner. This concept has been popular for years and is rarely found in today’s trade fair landscape.

#3 11. Jobmesse Berlin

The Berlin Job Fair is a classic event without a lot of frills, with a focus on providing training and further education opportunities.

Where?

Olympic Stadium Berlin
Olympic Square 3
14053 Berlin

When?

March 23, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why?

Sometimes you don’t need fancy specials or features for an event – just a focus on the essentials, namely finding the right employer for you. In addition to the numerous exhibitors, which also include global players, there is something that should not go unmentioned: The fair takes place in the Olympic Stadium, which creates a unique, motivating atmosphere.

#4 Einstieg Berlin 2024

Einstieg Berlin lives up to its name: it is aimed at young people who want to enter the world of work but don’t yet know which job is right for them.

Where?

ARENA BERLIN
Eichenstrasse 4
12435 Berlin

When?

November 15, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
November 16, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why?

We like the relaxed, informal atmosphere at Einstieg Berlin. The exhibitors know that you are still at the very beginning and are accordingly friendly and open to your questions. After the intensive days, you will have learned about numerous exciting jobs and gained an overview of the various career opportunities.

#5 JOBMEDI Berlin 2024

JOBMEDI Berlin focuses on the healthcare sector – an enormously important area in which specialists are desperately needed. But which specialist area is right for you? What qualifications do you need for your dream job? And how can you get further training if necessary? You can find out all this at this fair.

Where?

Palais am Funkturm
Hammarskjöldplatz
14055 Berlin

When?

December 06, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
December 07, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why is this happening?

JOBMEDI Berlin is the place to be if you are looking for a career in nursing, healthcare or social services. We particularly like the high number of exhibitors who are committed and motivated to engage with visitors. The public transport connections are also ideal.

Extra-Tipp München: TALENTpro

In our search for the best career events, we have focused on local trade fairs that you can easily reach from your Staytoo apartment.

However, there is also an important, large trade fair that we don’t want to withhold from you: TALENTpro in Munich. You can easily get there by train or carpool, the travel effort is worth it!

Where?

Zenith Munich
Lilienthalallee 29
80939 Munich

When?

June 11, 2024 – 09:00 to 16:30
June 12, 2024 – 09:00 to 16:30

Why is this happening?

TALENTpro is the largest gathering in German talent and recruiting management. What you get at the fair is correspondingly awesome: Gourmet food from food trucks, morning yoga sessions, live music, and of course, plenty of big-name exhibitors. You should definitely go to experience it!

This will be better in 2024

This year you can look forward to the following positive changes:

#1 Higher mini-job limit

Mini-jobbers have been earning more since January 1, 2024. The upper limit for a part-time job without compulsory social insurance has been increased from €520 to €538 per month.

Our tip: check a new mini-job contract before you sign it. Will you be paid according to the new upper limit? If you already have a mini-job, renegotiate it now.

#2 Rising minimum wage

The statutory minimum wage is also increasing: instead of 9.82 euros, it has been 12.41 euros per hour since the beginning of the year.

Our tip: Make sure that you are paid according to the current minimum wage in your current or new employment relationship. This is not a salary negotiation in the traditional sense; your employer is obliged to pay the minimum wage, unless you are a volunteer or internship.

#3 Semester ticket instead of Germany ticket

From the 2024 summer semester, there will be a uniform mobility tariff for students. The fixed price will be 29.40 euros and the costs will be integrated into the semester fee. With the new semester ticket, you will be able to use trams, suburban trains, underground trains, regional trains and buses throughout Germany at this fixed price.

Our tip: Due to the new tariff, the transport associations expect a significant increase in use (30% and more). You should therefore avoid longer journeys and explore the best rail routes in Germany before the new semester ticket is introduced.

#4 Facilitated access to higher education

Germany wants to make it easier for people to study – without an Abitur or similar school-leaving qualification. The prerequisite for this is that you have completed vocational training and have at least two years of work experience. You can then take an aptitude test at the relevant university and start your studies there.

Facilitated access to higher education has been available in Germany for several years, but in 2024 this access will be intensively promoted. The exact conditions and options are still being determined by the individual federal states.

Our tip: regularly check the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the websites of the individual federal states for new announcements on facilitated university access.

Are you from abroad and want to know whether you are eligible for admission? Then the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) admissions database is a good place to look for courses that match your school-leaving qualification.

#5 Increase in the citizen’s income

If you receive state support in the form of citizen’s allowance, you can be happy: in 2024, the citizen’s allowance is increased, the basic amount for a single person is 563 euros per month.

Our tip: It is rare for students to be entitled to citizen’s allowance, as BAföG is available as financial support for students. However, special conditions may have to be met, e.g. Bürgergeld can be used as a top-up for BAfÖG if you are still living with your parents.

We recommend that you find out from your local Studentenwerk whether and to what extent you are entitled to Bürgergeld.

This will be worse in 2024

Unfortunately, not all changes are positive for students. But don’t worry: we’ll give you creative solutions for dealing with the negative trends in 2024.

#1 BAföG increase has (still) not materialized

In mid-January, the Federal Government intends to discuss whether and to what extent BAföG rates should be increased. Until then, however, it is still unclear whether there will be an increase at all. The stagnation has been criticized by the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, which claims that the BAföG rate is chronically too low. We hope that the government will manage to increase the rate, and as quickly as possible.

Our tip: don’t rely on BAföG alone, but look around for other sources of income, e.g. a part-time job or mini-job. This will allow you to benefit from an increased minimum wage and a higher upper limit for mini-jobs (see above).

Extra tip: BAföG can be extended under certain circumstances, for example due to pregnancy, disability or raising and caring for a child under the age of 14.

#2 Increased tuition fees

This year, several universities will increase their tuition fees for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses by up to 10 percent. The individual increases will be announced by the universities on their websites, so be sure to check there before you enrol.

Our tip: Is your dream university too expensive? Look around for alternatives, you can find excellent universities in our university ranking article.

#3 High interest rates for student loans

Students pay an average of 9% interest on student loans. According to media reports, the interest burden has tripled in recent years. There is no end in sight to this negative trend for 2024 either, on the contrary: the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) only increased intere s t rates in October 2023.

Our tip: student loans are expensive, inflexible and you get into debt with them. Therefore, consider a student loan as the last choice of financing and try to find better alternatives beforehand (support from parents, BAföG, part-time job, etc.).

If these alternatives do not work out, we think it may be better to take out a private loan from relatives (preferably interest-free). Make sure you put the amount, payment installments, repayment dates, etc. in writing.

#4 Higher additional contributions for health insurance

Over 36 health insurance companies are increasing their contributions in 2024, which will unfortunately also affect a number of students with student health insurance. The additional contribution will increase by an average of 0.4 percentage points, with increases ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 percentage points depending on the health insurance provider.

Our tip: regularly compare health insurance offers for student health insurance. Switching is very easy, the notice period is two months and your new health insurance company will even take over the termination process. Please note, however, that you are tied to a new health insurance company for 12 months.

#5 Rising cost of living

Food, medicine, petrol: overall, life in Germany is becoming more expensive, due to inflation and other crises. Rising prices affect everyone, but this development is particularly difficult for students with little money. But don’t worry, in our blog you can find tips on saving energy and help with your tax return to save money.

Our tip: Get an overview of your costs as a student with our article. You can save money by switching to cheaper insurance, buying second-hand clothes or cooking for yourself instead of eating out, for example. You can find more money-saving tips in our article!

#1 Tarte flambée with caramelized onions

You can prepare this tarte flambée in the pan, quickly and easily.

Ingredients

400 g spelt flour
220 ml water
100 g grated cheese (e.g. Emmental)
1 onion
1 bunch of parsley
1 tsp butter
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt
pepper

Preparation

1 Peel the onion and cut into thin strips.

2 Melt the butter in a pan and braise the onions with a little salt in the pan over a low heat (do not fry!).

3. Add the sugar and continue to fry the onions until they caramelize. Turn off the hob.

4. Mix the flour and water in a large bowl to form a dough, knead the dough thoroughly.

5. Add the onions to the batter, mix together and place in a large (28 cm) or two small pans.

6. Put the lid on the pan, bake the batter at the highest heat setting for approx. 3 minutes.

7. Turn off the heat, remove the pan lid and carefully turn the tarte flambée.

8. Brush the baked side with sour cream, sprinkle with cheese, salt and pepper.

9. Close the pan again with the lid and bake the tarte flambée for approx. 15 minutes on the lowest heat. Meanwhile, chop the parsley. Check from time to time (after approx. 10 minutes) that the base of the tarte flambée is not burning.

10. Remove the tarte flambée from the pan, sprinkle with the parsley and enjoy!

Our tip: You can change the taste of your tarte flambée by using a spicy tomato pesto instead of sour cream. We also think our experimental version with ricotta is really tasty. Both variations are perfect for an Italian evening.

That’s why we recommend this recipe

Tarte flambée always works and is a great hearty snack when it’s wet, dark and cold outside. The caramelized onions act like a flavour enhancer for all the other ingredients – amazing! Another thing we like about tarte flambée is that it can be topped in any way you like, just like pizza, only in autumnal style. We were also impressed by how easy the tarte flambée is to prepare in the pan, which makes it the ideal meal for the Staytoo apartment kitchen.

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#2 Mexican pumpkin stew

This pumpkin stew will really heat you and your guests up.

Ingredients

400 g pumpkin (Hokkaido or butternut)
600 g kidney beans
150 g canned corn
600 g tomatoes (chunky)
400 ml vegetable stock
½ onion
¼ apple
2 tbsp spelt flour
1 tbsp caraway seeds
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp oil (olive or sunflower oil)
4 tsp tomato paste
2 tsp pumpkin seed oil
salt
pepper

Preparation

1. Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, cut in half and remove the seeds. Then cut the pumpkin halves into small pieces.

2. Peel, halve and dice the onion.

3. Wash the apple and cut into apple quarters, dice one apple quarter.

4. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the diced pumpkin, apple and onion.

5. Add the tomato purée and spelt flour.

6. Deglaze with vegetable stock and tomatoes.

7. Simmer the pumpkin stew on a low heat for approx. 25 minutes.

8. Add the kidney beans, sweetcorn and spices, garnish with a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil and enjoy the pumpkin stew.

Our tip: If we eat this stew for several days, we spice it up with a few small ingredients on each new day. On Monday, for example, we add a spoonful of sour cream, on Tuesday we sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese, on Wednesday we experiment with a piece of dark chocolate, which we grate into the hot stew and allow to melt.

That’s why we recommend this recipe

Pumpkin stew is super quick to prepare, is full of vitamins and minerals and, thanks to its simplicity, even the least talented cook can make it. What’s more, it can be frozen in large quantities and defrosted just as quickly, making it the perfect make-ahead meal (keyword: meal prep).

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#3 Mushroom and feta burger

Yummy, yummy: this burger will put you in a good mood and you can bite into it with a clear conscience, as it is based on healthy mushrooms.

Ingredients

800 g mushrooms (mushroom mix, e.g. king oyster mushrooms, button mushrooms)
60 g lettuce (e.g. rocket)
8 g gherkins
4 burger buns
4 slices of mountain cheese
2 tomatoes
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
8 tbsp smoke/barbecue sauce
1 tbsp cooking oil (olive or sunflower oil)
salt
pepper
paprika powder

Preparation

1. Clean the mushrooms and cut into fine strips.

2. Peel the onion and garlic and chop into small cubes.

3. Pour the oil into the pan, heat the pan to the highest level.

4. Fry the mushrooms with the onion cubes until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and sauté briefly over a medium heat. Turn off the hob and remove the pan from the heat. Add salt, pepper and paprika powder so that the spices can soak into the mushroom, onion and garlic mixture.

5. Toast the burger bun halves until they are nice and crispy, meanwhile cut the cornichons and tomatoes into thin slices.

6. Top the bun halves with the vegetables and the mushroom, onion and garlic mixture, place one slice of mountain cheese per burger directly on top of the warm mixture so that it can melt.

7. Add the smoke sauce and lettuce as toppings, close the burger with the bun lid and enjoy.

Our tip: Use brioche buns for the burgers. This fluffy, light pastry gives your burger an ingenious sweet note.

That’s why we recommend this recipe

The taste explosion of this burger blew us away. The different flavors come across quite differently when you bite into it than we are used to from the classic mushroom pan. This is how we rediscover mushrooms in the fall!

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#4 Chestnut goulash with dumplings

Chestnuts are sweet chestnuts that can be eaten raw or baked. They taste just as delicious when cooked in goulash, where they reveal their full flavor potential.

Ingredients

800 g beef goulash
280 g chestnuts
120 g bacon (for connoisseurs: guanciale)
1 packet of Bohemian dumplings
1 vegetable onion
2 bay leaves
320 milliliters red wine or grape juice
540 milliliters beef stock
3 tablespoons oil (olive or sunflower oil)
salt
pepper
nutmeg

Preparation

1. Wash the beef and bacon thoroughly and leave to dry on a kitchen towel.

2. Peel the chestnuts, peel the onion and chop the chestnuts and onions into small pieces.

3. Pour the oil into a pan, fry the chestnuts and onion pieces.

4. Deglaze with red wine/grape juice, add beef stock, bay leaves, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

5. Leave the goulash to simmer on a low heat for at least 2 hours.

6. About 20 minutes before serving: Wet the bottom of a saucepan with water and heat. As soon as the water boils, place the pasta strainer in the pan, spread the dumpling slices evenly and cover the pan with a clean tea towel over a low heat.

7. Serve the goulash with the dumplings.

Our tip: This goulash can of course also be made vegetarian or vegan; we have eaten it with saitan and vegetable stock instead of beef stock, for example, and we really enjoyed it. Please note, however, that bacon and beef are flavor carriers. We have therefore found that you need to season vegetable alternatives more strongly. We also use a paprika-based goulash cream as a flavor boost.

That’s why we recommend this recipe

In the cold and wet season, the body needs lots of vitamin C. But drinking lemon water or eating apples all the time gets pretty monotonous in the long run. That’s where the chestnut came in handy, because for a long time we didn’t even know that it contained as much vitamin C as an orange. Well, that clears up the fruit issue. And apart from that, chestnuts also have the perfect color, in our opinion, to make them look really appetizing in goulash.

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#5 Sweet potato fries

For years, sweet potato fries have been the perfect alternative to their golden yellow relatives. We show you how to prepare them easily in the pan.

Ingredients

2 sweet potatoes
4 tbsp cooking oil (e.g. olive or sunflower oil)
salt
pepper
paprika powder

Preparation

1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes thoroughly.

2. Quarter the sweet potatoes and cut into pieces as large as possible.

3. Heat the oil in a pan, add the sweet potato pieces and fry evenly over a medium heat.

4. Turn the sweet potato pieces regularly.

5. Switch off the hob, season the sweet potato fries generously and leave to marinate in the warm pan for a few minutes. Then serve.

Our tip: Refreshing dips go great with sweet potato fries, e.g. quark with a squeeze of lime juice and parsley.

That’s why we recommend this recipe

Unlike classic chips, sweet potato fries keep us full for longer. They are also healthier, taste more intense and have that subtle sweetness that gives us a little mood boost on dull autumn days.

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#6 Brussels sprout soup

For a long time, Brussels sprouts weren’t exactly a burner on our plates. Wrongly so, we think, since we learned this recipe.

Ingredients

800 g Brussels sprouts
300 g onions
1 l vegetable stock
1 small knob of butter
200 ml sour cream
1 tbsp cooking oil (e.g. olive or sunflower oil)
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Preparation

1. Thoroughly clean and wash the Brussels sprouts, remove any wilted leaves.

2. Peel the onion and cut into small cubes.

3. Melt the butter in a pan and sweat the onions for a few minutes until translucent

4. Add the Brussels sprouts and sauté, stirring constantly.

5. Deglaze with vegetable stock.

6. Add the spices, cooking oil, rice vinegar and balsamic vinegar.

7. Add most of the sour cream and simmer the soup for about 20 minutes.

8. Turn off the hob, puree the soup and serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream.

Our tip: You can also use coconut oil instead of sour cream. The oil gives your Brussels sprout soup an exotic touch, very tasty!

That’s why we recommend this recipe

With this Brussels sprout soup, we spice up the vegetable with the dubious reputation. What’s more, the delicate flavour of Brussels sprouts means that they go perfectly with a wide variety of cheeses and spices. So if you prefer to mix Parmesan, cheddar or mozzarella into your soup instead of Manchego: We can absolutely recommend experimenting with different cheeses!

You can download the recipe as a free PDF here!

#1 Educate yourself about your destination

Knowing regional customs and practices is immensely important for behaving properly as a guest in a foreign country.

Do not underestimate this point, because in many parts of the world (e.g. Asia, Muslim countries) behavior that we find normal in this country can lead to problems – revealing swimwear, for example, or entering a temple with shoes, which is an absolute no-go in many countries.

We experienced something like that in Singapore, for example: At some temples there was a notice that you are not allowed to enter with shoes or shorts. At some temples, this notice was not found, which is why tourists thought that this behavior does not apply there. A mistake that was not well received by the local population.

Our tip: Be sure to check the website of the German Foreign Office for information about your destination. There you will also find current travel and safety information.

#2 Plan your trip

Which flight do you want to book? Where do you want to depart from and when? How will you get to the airport? Which public transport will take you to your accommodation at your destination? These and other questions should be answered before you start your semester abroad.

Our editor once made the mistake of booking a connecting flight that was too close. So it happened as it had to: Although he ran to the gate, he missed the next flight because he underestimated the size of the airport. So you should definitely pay attention to that, too.

Our tip: Use a free project management tool like Trello for your travel planning. The tool even has a free template called “Travel” that you can use to organize your entire trip right away.

#3 Clarify all university matters

Imagine arriving at your destination and not being able to attend classes because you didn’t register for them in time. Sounds unimaginable? Unfortunately, this happens to many students, including a friend of ours: She flew to Latin America, confident that she would be able to start her courses at the university.

There was only one problem: The university administration had informed her weeks before via e-mail that the start of the new semester would be delayed. Our friend had only checked her e-mails on site and learned about the delay. Annoying, since she had hoped to be able to start studying right after her arrival instead of being left.

Moral of the story: log into your accounts regularly before you travel so you don’t miss any important info.

Our tip: Take care of log-ins to your university mail client and course portal as early as possible. Also contact the contact person at the university abroad if you have any questions.

Your goal should be to settle all matters before the journey begins. This way, you can fully focus on your studies on site.

#4 Take care of the finances

When it comes to finances, here are some hugely important aspects you should tackle:

Budget planning

The more you know in advance what expenses you will incur during your semester abroad, the better you can prepare financially. Rent for accommodation, expenses for food, clothing, medication: All of this should be part of your budget planning.

Our tip: Use free services such as a free budget planner or tools such as Finanzguru to keep track of your income and expenses.

Banking & bank card usage

It is often the case that cash withdrawals and transfers abroad are subject to charges. If you are not careful, you may incur unnecessary fees. Also, certain bank cards may not work locally.

This is exactly what happened to the author of this article in Uganda: He tried to withdraw money locally with his credit card, which the machine refused to do. If he had read the fine print more carefully, he would have learned that using the card in non-EU countries must be requested in writing from his bank. So there he was in the middle of Africa, without any cash.

We therefore advise you to read the terms and conditions and price lists of your bank carefully before starting your trip. If necessary, it makes sense to change banks or to choose a separate travel account at a bank with more favorable conditions. Use specialized comparison portals such as Finanzfluss or a current account calculator from Finanztip.

Scholarships and other grants

Scholarships and grants exist for students who want to spend a semester abroad, including the GoEuro scholarship, Erasmus+, and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e. V. study abroad grant.

Our tip: Apply for a scholarship or grant as early as possible to meet application deadlines and give staff enough time to review your application. Use scholarship databases such as the DAAD database and myStipendium to find the right scholarship for you.

In our experience, early registration in the DAAD database is an ideal start for applying for scholarships abroad. Make sure that you provide complete and correct information.

Also, take the time to write a motivation letter that creatively addresses the question of why. For example, we know the story of a student friend of ours who explained his fascination for architecture in the Baltic States and was subsequently granted funding for his stay in Estonia. The fact that during his stay he was rather seldom in Baltic castles, but in party cellars – so what? 😉

#5 Learn the local language

Many students underestimate this point before starting their semester abroad. After all, English is the world language that almost everyone has learned. So why learn the language of the host country? Answer: Because it will give you a lot of advantages.

Our tip: In addition to the numerous language learning apps, it is very effective and free of charge to watch videos by local YouTubers. Choose topics that interest you and turn on subtitles in German for the videos. This way you can learn the language in a playful way and also hear how native speakers talk.

We got the tip from a Swiss buddy who emigrated to Costa Rica over ten years ago. He explained to us that Spanish in Costa Rica is massively different from European Spanish, it is pragmatic and sounds different for many vocabulary words. Without his tip and without the YouTube videos of Costa Ricans, we would never have been able to prepare so well for the trip there.

These are the advantages of learning the local language:

Independence: Especially in rural areas, millions of people around the world do not speak English. If you speak the local language, you can travel to remote places without having to struggle with language barriers.
Sympathy: When traveling, have you ever seen people suddenly light up when you speak their language? It doesn’t have to be perfect or fluent, it’s all about the gesture that you’re making an effort.
Qualification for the job market: In a globalized world, language skills are valuable. Large companies in particular have locations in different countries, which can open unexpected doors for your future career.

As you can see, learning the language of your destination country has many advantages. Basics are enough, and you will become a language pro over time anyway, if you regularly communicate with locals on site.

#6 Take out insurance

If you are going to spend a semester abroad, you should urgently clarify your insurance coverage in advance.

These insurances are particularly important:

Health Insurance
Travel Catch-Up Insurance
Accident Insurance
Liability Insurance
Travel Cancellation Insurance
Legal Expenses Insurance
Baggage Insurance

All these insurances are important to protect you optimally abroad.

Be sure to ask your parents if they have already taken out insurance for you, and if so, which ones, so that you don’t take out duplicate insurance unnecessarily. That’s what we did and were sometimes surprised what we were already insured for (e.g. with an international health insurance).

Tip: Find out more about the different types of insurance and compare the conditions on comparison portals such as Check24 or Verivox. Also, call the contact person of your current insurance company to clarify whether and to what extent your insurance coverage applies abroad.

#7 Make preparations for emergencies

No one wishes for an emergency to occur. Nevertheless, it is important that you make preparations for such an eventuality.

These are the most important emergency preparations:

Contact list

In the contact list, which you always have with you, you collect contact details of family members, friends, local contacts, your embassy and emergency numbers of your insurance. If something should happen to you, the helpers will know immediately who to contact.

Our tip: Inform your most important personal contacts about your plans for the semester abroad so that they know when, where and for how long you will be traveling. We use in-house features in smartphones for this; on Android, for example, contacts can be saved as emergency contacts. Helpers can access these contacts even if they can’t unlock your phone.

Medical data

On a separate printout, you should summarize important medical information about yourself: What medications are you taking? Are there any allergies and/or pre-existing conditions? What blood group and vaccinations (keyword: vaccination certificate) do you have?

Emergency numbers

Memorize the phone numbers of local safety agencies and support organizations, including police, ambulance, fire and other emergency services. To be on the safe side, print out a list of numbers in case your phone goes dead, so you can still call for help, for example, from a local phone.

What’s also useful, in our experience, is to wear a smartwatch with an emergency call function on your wrist. Yes, we know these things aren’t fashionable for everyone. But it gives us a good feeling somewhere in the middle of nowhere to know that we can get help even if we can’t get to our cell phone, for example.

#8 Find accommodation

As a rule, students are responsible for finding accommodation for the duration of their semester abroad. Dormitory places and shared rooms are in high demand, especially at the beginning of the semester, which is why you should look for a place to stay as early as possible.

When we want to go abroad, we contact friends who travel a lot and have ideally already been to our destination country. They give us great tips on where we can stay cheaply and nicely, put us in touch with the local hosts, etc.

Tip: You can also look for accommodation via online portals such as Erasmusu or Housinganywhere. From shared rooms to apartments, you have a wide choice.

#9 Secure your records

For a safe and worry-free time during your semester abroad, make copies of your most important documents before you travel.

Key documents include:

Passport
Visas
Insurance Certificates (Health Insurance, Accident Insurance, etc.)
Airline Tickets
Driver’s License
Certificate of Enrollment
Proof of Qualifications (e.g. Language Certificates, Diplomas, Certificates)
Contract for Accommodation

We recommend that you make both physical and digital copies of the documents in case you lose the printed copies. For example, there are fireproof bags in which we always carry copies. Chest pouches are also high on our list, where we always have copies of our IDs and some emergency cash on hand.

You can upload your digital copies to a cloud, but be sure to check the security and integrity of the cloud provider. Among other things, we use the free online storage of our mail client to store files securely and access them from any location. Do you also have a login with a German mail provider? Then take a look right now to see if they offer you a similar function.

#1 You will recognize them by their punctuality

Yes, it’s true: Germans are very punctual creatures and demand this same punctuality from their fellow man. You can be the most talented applicant for a job, but if you are one minute late for an interview, that’s it. Adios and goodbye.

It’s not that we don’t like tardiness, we hate it, with tradespeople as well as friends. We expect life to run like clockwork, except with Deutsche Bahn – we’re happy if the trains run at all, but that’s another topic.

Ride the train despite delays? It’s still worth it! Here are cool train routes for a trip on rails.

So if you want to make a habit of getting along well with us Germans, for heaven’s sake be on time! Then we let quite a lot pass, unless you dare to push your way to the checkout, which brings us to the next bizarre fact.

#2 Everything has its order – really everything!

You think you’re a decent person? Then treat yourself to a visit to a German allotment garden site and ask the people there what they are annoyed about with their neighbor. Don’t be surprised if the Laubenpieper, as allotment garden owners are called, complain that the 1.5-centimeter-long branch of the neighbor’s hedge protrudes into their own plot, or that the lawn on the plot opposite is only mowed once a week instead of every three days (but definitely not on Sunday!), as required by the association’s statutes.

We Germans insist on law and order; regulations are, so to speak, our map with which we go through life. By the way, the fact that we slavishly observe regulations does not mean that we do not grumble about precisely these regulations.

We may constantly want more freedom and less bureaucracy, but let’s be honest: Germans only experience true feelings of happiness when they get carried away by internal documentation requirements or the road traffic regulations according to paragraph XY.

We regulate the most absurd things; for example, you need a permit if you want to swim in one of our sewers. So if that’s what you have in mind for an excursion, no problem for us – but please get the official okay first 😉.

#3 Besserwessi and Jammerossi

If you talk to Germans, they will sometimes sound as if the Wall fell only yesterday and not 33 years ago. Most of the time, clichés come up about the overconfident, know-it-all West Germans, whereas the East Germans are always complaining and are too stupid to vote.

Discussions about this are as pointless as they are outdated, so we recommend that you do not take part in them. Germany is a federal country consisting of 16 very individual states. So see the geographical and cultural diversity in Germany for what it is: a real enrichment.

#4 German language, strange language

Our language is like a dragon: it can never be completely mastered, at best it can only be tamed. Even language professionals like copywriters and German teachers regularly despair of the sense and nonsense of grammatical rules. Even the Duden sometimes knows no better explanation than: It’s just the way it is.

At the same time, we are mighty proud of our language, which has funny irritations in store, including double meanings:

Bank (seat / financial institution)
Fly (insect / piece of clothing on the neck)
Rope (rope / drop of water)
Pine (type of tree / part of the body on the head)

Funny and strange is also the tendency of Germans to use extremely long words, which are created by stringing several words together:

Danubesteamshipelectricitymainplantconstructionsubofficecompany
Beeflabelingsupervisiontasktransferact
Realestatetrafficpermitjurisdictiontransferordinance
Telephonesubscriberdirectoryoffice

I don’t know why we have this soft spot, but notice something? The long words occur especially often in the bureaucratic setting, which brings us back to point #2: Everything has its order! 😉

#5 The highway without speed limit

Our European neighbors have speed limits on long-distance roads. We don’t, because Germans get a pulse at the idea of not being allowed to live out their freedom. That is to say, to take leave of one’s senses and speed along the left-hand lane of the autobahn with the speedometer needle at the limit.

We’re in a terrible hurry, you remember point #1, punctuality and all that. That’s why we’re also tailgating at speeds of 190 km/h. If you still haven’t understood that you have to give way, and you have to do so immediately, you will be made aware of this by flashing your headlights.

The German autobahns are known worldwide, which is why celebrities like Tom Hanks like to come here to tickle the horsepower out of their cars. The Hollywood actor summed up what German drivers think in a talk show on Letterman: “It doesn’t matter how fast you drive in Germany – someone is always faster!”

#6 Beer is official food

The Germans and their beer … The mere fact that we have over 12,000 pubs serving home-brewed beer speaks of a long and intense love affair with liquid gold.

We’re world-renowned for the quality of our beers, and if you ask us what the Reinheitsgebot means, you’ll hear hymns of praise and patriotic arias.

Sure, there’s alcohol in beer, but we see the combination of water, barley and malt as the source of life, which is why beer is considered an official food under our Food and Feed Code (yes, that’s really the name of the thing).

That’s why you’ll find beer in the grocery section of supermarkets and on the breakfast table, because a beer is simply part of a hearty Weißwurst breakfast, at least in Bavaria. In other German states, drinking beer in the morning is called Frühshoppen.

#7 Döner Kebab and Spaghetti Ice Cream – Made in Germany

The fact that baklava and other oriental specialties are sold in our kebab stores does not change the fact that the kebab was most likely invented by Kadir Numar, a Turkish immigrant who opened a snack bar at Bahnhof Zoo in 1971. This is most likely because there are several other people who could have invented it, but it is certain that Germany was the place where it was invented.

Spaghetti ice cream is also tricky: It was invented by the Italian Dario Fontanella, but not in picturesque Venice or sunny Palermo, but in Mannheim. In 1969, at the age of just 17, Fontanella came up with this creation, which has remained a fixture on German dessert menus to this day. At that time, Fontanella pressed vanilla ice cream through a spice press, thus combining German craftsmanship and Italian cuisine in pure pragmatism. Guten appetito!

AI application in studies

There are quite a few opportunities to use artificial intelligences in your studies. In the following tasks, AIs will support you effectively.

Research and write texts

This is what ChatGPT, neuroflash, Jasper & Co. have become known for: researching in a structured way and creating text drafts. This saves you a lot of time in the preparatory work.

But be careful: if you think you can submit the AI texts to your university as your own intellectual output – for example, in the form of term papers – be warned: they may be plagiarized, and most universities now have fairly effective AI text scanners. Read our article on ChatGPT and copyright, it deals with this topic more intensively.

Personalized learning with AI learning platforms and AI tutors

In the meantime, there are much better learning methods than binge learning, for example, with which you can acquire knowledge. You can get an additional learning boost by using AI learning platforms such as KI-Campus that match your learning type.

Are you a communicative learner? Then the exchange with chatbots and voice assistants will benefit you. Do you prefer the learning content to be audiovisual so that you can remember it well? In this case, video courses are excellent. Check out our article on the topic to find out which learning type you are.

You can also use AI platforms to create learning plans. You can even have learning plans put together for several days with different focuses.

AI tutors refine and intensify the learning process. They answer subject-specific questions and work with you to create curricula that fit your learning style. They also provide tips and feedback on your learning progress. And unlike a human tutor, the AI tutor is available to you 24/7.

Create presentations

Presentations are part of everyday study, for example during lectures. Popular AIs for presentations are, for example, Decktopus, Simplified or Plus AI. A classic slide presentation can be created quickly with SlidesAI, while Synthesia is suitable for fancy video presentations.

Kuenstliche_Intelligenzen_Praesentationen_Screenshot — *In a matter of seconds, AIs like Simplified create slick presentations, like this example on photosynthesis. | Source: Simplified*

Do you want to add original images to your presentations? Image generators like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, neuroflash or DALL-E 2 will help you. Tell the AI which graphics you need and it will provide you with the appropriate images.

Kuenstliche_Intelligenzen_neuroflash_Screenshot — *Fascinating: AIs like “neuroflash” from Germany create images for you and even help you describe the image to get the most accurate result possible. | Source: neuroflash*

Shorten monotonous work processes

In your studies, there are some tasks that consist of pure routine and just eat up time.

With KI you can automate the following tasks or have them supported:

Exam preparation in general
Data analysis
Creation of reports
Research

Also, use AI tools like Deepl or Google Translate to translate texts. You’ll certainly find it easier to read a text that you translate from academic English into your native language, for example.

Another strength of AI is data collection and presentation. If you’ve already collected data, for example in a survey or study, use AI to visualize it in the form of charts or to identify relevant patterns in the data and create meaningful reports.

AI capabilities that are valuable for the world of work

Two paths are particularly important for the use of artificial intelligence for companies: developing your own AI and working effectively with existing AI. For most companies, especially medium-sized ones, the second option is likely to be particularly exciting.

But it’s not just large companies that are developing AIs; smaller startups are also recognizing the value of developing their own. There will probably be many overlap and transfer processes in this direction in the working world: Many companies will initially rely on third-party AI and develop their own AI in parallel, provided the investment is worthwhile. The following capabilities and application possibilities are useful for both paths.

Understanding and speaking the language of AI

This does not mean programming languages, but the ability to feed AI with data, information and commands in such a way that the desired, high-quality results emerge. There is even a separate job description for this: the so-called AI Prompter, or internationally AI Prompter.

The AI or AI Prompter has perfected the communication with artificial intelligences, so that he achieves customized results for companies – and is paid excellently for it. If you don’t want to become a prompter, the ability to communicate effectively with AI will be in high demand outside of this job description.

Developing corporate strategy with AI

It is important for companies to recognize industry trends as well as social developments at an early stage. But even if several employees were to collect, filter and evaluate news every day, it would only be possible to gain a rough overview at best.

This is precisely where artificial intelligences come in: They perform what would overburden humans and can make forecasts based on patterns that emerge from a wide variety of information sources.

They are by no means error-free, but they do help to keep important developments on the radar screen and highlight trends that decision-makers in companies can use to steer a course. Thus, AI will also be essential for risk management in order to identify threats, competitors, etc. at an early stage and to be able to take action.

Increase efficiency with AI

In our market economy, companies are constantly working to optimize their processes: Workflows are to be accelerated, communication paths shortened, errors detected and costs saved. Artificial intelligences are excellent at identifying opportunities for improvement in work processes and taking over monotonous tasks.

This includes, for example, regularly creating reports, writing standard emails and creating templates, guides, etc. This is not about completely replacing employees. With the use of AIs, they can use their valuable time to subject AI-created content and automated work processes to quality control.

This is particularly helpful with self and time management tools such as Wrike or ToDoIst, which already work with AI.

Künstliche_Intelligenzen_ToDoIst_AIAssistant_Screenshot — *Work through the to-do list even more efficiently with AI: Integrations like AI Assistant make it possible. | Source: ToDoIst*

Customer service with AI

Years ago, chatbots already helped to handle customer inquiries. Today, artificial intelligences have literally become smarter in order to respond even more precisely and individually to personalized customer inquiries. From a mere chatbot, AI is thus becoming a personal customer assistant, available around the clock with helpful answers.

Furthermore, well-trained AIs are able to evaluate customer moods and profiles in such a way that possible disagreements as well as buying interests can be identified. Depending on the mood, the AI can then forward the customer to its own online store, for example, or to a human employee who will process the request.

Human Resource Management with AI

A key issue for companies is finding and recruiting employees. AI helps HR management to create profiles of desired employees and to formulate job advertisements based on these profiles. Artificial intelligence is also helpful in evaluating job applications, as well as in vacation planning and other HR issues.

In times of a shortage of skilled workers, artificial intelligences close another crucial gap: They ensure high employee satisfaction through constant analysis, evaluation and process automation, which in turn promotes employee retention.

Furthermore, AIs are useful from the business side to identify employee productivity and their performance peaks. This allows company leaders to create promotion and development plans that are customized for each employee.

In short, AI will greatly simplify recruitment, onboarding, and human resources as a whole.

Marketing with AI

The basis and the strength of AI for successful marketing are the analyses of collected data in order to effectively reach one’s own target groups. Artificial intelligences also help with subsequent processes, such as the creation of marketing campaigns.

AIs continuously optimize and control campaigns so that they are automated and marketers can focus on other processes, such as strategic marketing goals. Do you want to increase awareness of your brand or boost sales? Any marketing goal can be advanced in collaboration with artificial intelligence.

Other AI-relevant processes

In the near future, every area of business will be impacted by or with AI:

Security (especially IT security)
Database creation (e.g., customer databases or knowledge bases as in-house “wikis”)
Delivery & production (supply chain optimization, more efficient production lines, etc.)
Control of finances
Research and development

Conclusion: The time to engage with AI is now

Some students and employees think they still have a lot of time before they have to deal with artificial intelligence. A mistake! AI such as ChatGPT, DALL-E 2, Midjourney, beautiful, Jasper, Google Bard, etc. are already being used at universities and in companies. We advise: Don’t oversleep this development, but use the currently so exciting time to learn how to use AI, as these skills are valuable assets for your career and can already help you in your studies.

In the future, specialists will be needed to get the most out of artificial intelligence. How convenient that you have already learned to trigger, automate and optimize processes with AI in your studies!

What kind of internship do you want?

Before you start looking for an internship, consider which internship best fits your studies and career goals. Do you want to gain practical experience in a specific area directly related to your field of study? Or do you want to explore different industries to find out which career path appeals to you most? Define your internship goals clearly so that you can search specifically for suitable internships.

How to find internships?

There are different ways to find internships. A good place to start are job exchanges on the Internet or special internship portals, here you will find a selection:

The career pages of companies are also good places to start. Direct contact with companies or organizations can be promising – send a speculative application or call to inquire about open internships. Don’t forget the opportunities offered by your university or course of study. They often have internship exchanges or career services that can support you in your search.

What should you look for before applying for an internship?

Make sure to clarify the general conditions before you sign an internship contract:

Duration of the internship
Remuneration
working hours
Possible additional benefits

Think carefully about the skills you would like to develop and find out whether the company or organization offers this opportunity. You can do this, for example, by asking the contact person for the internship about the specific content and processes of the internship. Which work stations will you get to know, what will you be taught there, how can you contribute?

Also find out about the company’s reputation and working conditions. Reviews from former interns can be helpful here; you can find such reviews on portals such as praktikumsstellen.de or kununu.

Gaining practical experience – gaining knowledge in the real world

An internship allows you to put your theoretical knowledge from your studies into practice. Here you learn how the working world really works and how you can successfully apply your acquired know-how in real-life situations. This valuable practical experience gives you an invaluable head start for your future career.

Professional orientation – Find the right path

Still unsure about what career path you want to take? Don’t worry, an internship will help you discover your interests and strengths. In different industries and companies you can find out which work environment suits you best and which activities excite you.

Make contacts – Build your network

During the internship, you have the opportunity to make valuable contacts. The people you meet – be it your supervisor, experienced colleagues or other interns – can become important mentors and door openers for your career in the future. A strong network is of great importance for your professional success.

Developing soft skills – building on personal strengths

In addition to technical knowledge, you can also work on your soft skills during the internship. The ability to work in a team, strong communication skills, problem-solving skills and time management are qualities that are in demand in almost every industry. An internship offers you the ideal platform to develop these skills and strengthen your personality.

Career advantage – Convince potential employers

A successfully completed internship is a real flagship on your resume. Employers value applicants who have already gained practical experience. Your internship shows that you are motivated, committed and willing to actively take on responsibility. This increases your chances of being perceived by companies as a sought-after employee.

Conclusion

An internship during your studies is an invaluable experience and investment for your professional future. If you know which internship suits you best, search for suitable positions and choose carefully, you will find an internship that perfectly matches your goals. Take advantage of this valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience, discover your interests, and make valuable contacts for your career. A well-chosen internship can be the key to your professional success!

What is a community?

“Community” or “fellowship” refers to a group that has something in common, be it shared interests, goals, values, or activities. A community can be large, such as a political party, or smaller, such as the residents of an apartment building – as is the case in our Staytoo community.

The most important effects of communities

The following effects offer you communities, whether in the private, professional or university sector:

#1 Make friends

Not everyone in a community becomes a boyfriend or girlfriend. But it’s the perfect social place to meet people you’re on the same wavelength with. Here you can exchange ideas in peace and give a friendship the time it needs to develop.

#2 Achieve better learning effects

Learning in a community has an extremely positive effect on our learning behavior. Fixed learning group appointments ensure the necessary discipline to consistently internalize the learning material, and the joint exchange about the learning content ensures that it is stored particularly well in the brain. This is especially true for the communicative learner type.

Article Tips: Discover successful learning methods and find out your learning type.

#3 Gain new perspectives and experiences

Life is colorful and diverse, and so are communities with their different characters, all of whom have grown up and been shaped differently.

When you talk to people in your community, you’ll hear all kinds of stories and experiences from which you can learn a lot for your own life. You’ll also find that there are always multiple perspectives on challenges and problems, which is also an asset of communities.

#4 Living sustainability

Sharing space and equipment promotes overall sustainability. An example of this is a community gym: without a gym, each individual would have to buy the equipment – an enormous financial outlay that is not sustainable on top of everything else.

With a community gym, members can make the most of all the equipment by arrangement and time availability. The same applies to community spaces such as lounges or parks in public areas.

#5 Acquire and train social skills

Regular interaction with others develops your social skills. You’re always adjusting to the people you’re talking to.

You learn these social skills in communities:

Listening
Empathy
Rhetoric
Ability to work in a team
Persuasiveness
Self-confidence
Determination
Assertiveness

All these skills are extremely important in academic and professional life. Communities are real boosters in this respect; they promote your social skills considerably. The prerequisite for this is your own initiative. The more intensively you get involved in a community, the faster you will develop your social skills.

#6 Start joint projects

Together we achieve more. This has to do with the so-called synergy effects that result from joining forces. In a well-functioning community, the strengths of the members come to bear, while the weaknesses are compensated for.

Motivation, goal focus and a lot of fun are the effects here. This creates the ideal breeding ground for joint projects, be it the planning of an adventure trip, a social initiative or group work for the university.

Good examples of such groups at the university are, for example, student council members who take care of introductory events for freshmen or information events for students in a particular department.

Volunteering also often takes place in communities; for example, you can become active in self-help groups, as a mentor at the university or at the campus radio station. In this way, you can make a meaningful contribution to one or more projects.

#7 Promote cohesion & stability in difficult times

Ever since Corona, we’ve known that social interaction is incredibly important for each and everyone of us. A strong community helps you deal better with personal and social crises.

In a community, you learn together how to deal creatively with problems and challenges. It also feels incredibly good to be able to talk to each other, whether in personal meetings or phone calls with individual members, or in the group itself. Trust is the most important value in such a community – if this value is given, the group can support you emotionally, but also concretely in everyday life, for example by helping you with shopping, visits to the authorities, etc. – with everything that is difficult or impossible in a private crisis.

During social crises like the Corona pandemic with lockdowns, online communities have proven to be an enormous support for many people. The feeling of connectedness, both online and offline, gives people the strength and confidence to overcome a difficult time together.

#8 Satisfy important basic need to belong

Humans have a deeply anchored primal need to belong. It is therefore important for our satisfaction to feel that we belong to one or more groups with which we can identify. Communities fulfill this need perfectly.

#1 Greek farmer salad

Salads are fresh, crunchy and healthy. And this salad is a real explosion of flavor with the mixture of feta, pepper and melon.

Ingredients

750 g watermelon (whole or already cut)
250 g cucumber
1 package feta cheese
4 stalks of spring onions
5 tbsp balsamic cream
4 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp pine nuts
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp chili
salt
Pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

1. Cut melon pulp, feta and cucumber, dice and mix together in a large bowl.

2. Cut the spring onion stalks into thin strips and fold into the melon-feta cheese mixture.

3. Briefly toast pine nuts in a frying pan (without oil) until golden brown. While doing so, swirl the pan every now and then so that the kernels are toasted evenly.

4. Add the balsamic cream, lemon juice, olive oil, honey and spices. Mix everything together well.

5. Let the salad stand for five minutes and then serve.

#2 Spaghetti with 10 minutes tomato sauce

Pasta always goes, but in summer we don’t want it so heavy. This light, fresh tomato sauce comes just in time.

Ingredients

700 g spaghetti
4 medium tomatoes
1 can of tomatoes (chunky)
1 vegetable onion
4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp tomato past
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 handful fresh basil, chopped
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

1. Put pot with pasta water and 2 tbsp salt.

2. Peel and dice the onion, rinse and dice the tomatoes, but do not mix the two.

3. Heat olive oil in pan, sauté onions until translucent, meanwhile add pasta to boiling pasta water.

4. Add tomato paste to pan and sauté onions briefly for roasted flavor.

5. Add diced tomatoes and canned tomatoes to pan and simmer sauce with lid on for 5-6 minutes.

6. Turn off the heat, drain the pasta water as soon as the pasta is al dente and let the sauce cool slightly. Add fresh lemon juice, basil, pepper and salt to the sauce. Serve the pasta together with the sauce.

#3 Zucchini balls with yogurt lime dip

Zucchinis are an extremely popular summer vegetable. But just cutting them into slices or pieces and frying them is something anyone can do. In ball form with delicious dip you will experience the zucchini again completely different.

Ingredients zucchini balls

750 g zucchini
100 g feta cheese
120 g wholemeal flour (e.g. spelt flour)
1 bunch of spring onions
2 onions
3 cloves of garlic
8 tbsp breadcrumbs (breadcrumbs)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp paprika powder, sweet
½ lemon
½ bunch parsley
½ bunch dill
pepper
salt

Ingredients yogurt lime dip

300 g natural yogurt
1 lime
2 tbsp olive oil
pepper
salt

Preparation zucchini balls

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1. Wash zucchini thoroughly and grate coarsely with a grater. Place grated zucchini in a large bowl and add salt and pepper.

2. Chop parsley and dill and add to seasoned zucchini grates. Let the zucchini mixture sit in a place at room temperature for half an hour.

3. Add flour, breadcrumbs and feta cheese. Knead zucchini mixture thoroughly with hands until it feels “doughy”.

4. Form patties, heat pan with a dash of oil in it. Add zucchini balls and fry over medium heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Turn the balls several times so that they are golden brown on both sides.

5. Leave patties in pan to keep warm. Meanwhile, prepare yogurt-lime dip.

Preparation yogurt lime dip

1. Put natural yogurt in a bowl, season with pepper and salt.

2. Cut the lime in the middle and squeeze the juice into the yogurt.

3. Add olive oil and spices, mix dip vigorously with a fork. Done!

#4 Strawberry Bowl

Can’t imagine strawberries being good with anything other than compote or cake? Then try this delicious bowl. It’s fresh, fruity and sweet.

Ingredients

750 g watermelon (whole or already cut)
500 g strawberries
50 ml orange juice
1 bunch of fresh mint (Moroccan mint, peppermint or similar)
4 tbsp millet
2 tbsp agave syrup
50 g nuts (e.g. Brazil nuts)

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Tip: The Strawberry Bowl is especially refreshing if you put the bowls you serve it in in the fridge for 20 minutes beforehand.

1. Cut watermelon into pieces. Wash strawberries thoroughly and put about ¾ of them in a blender together with the melon pieces.

2. Add orange juice, agave syrup and ¾ of the mint to the blender and blend thoroughly.

3. Arrange strawberry-melon puree in bowls, sprinkle evenly with millet.

4. Chop nuts and also spread evenly over the puree.

#5 Huli-Huli Chicken Burger

Chicken Huli-Huli is a Hawaiian recipe and a real taste bomb. As if fried chicken with pineapple and a marinade of soy sauce, garlic and ketchup weren’t delicious enough, it comes as a burger. Have you worked up an appetite? Then let’s get started quickly!

Ingredients

4-6 large burger buns
1 pineapple (whole fruit, alternatively slices from a can)
600 g chicken fillet (raw or as ready-fried pieces)
10 tbsp tomato ketchup
8 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp sesame oil
20 g fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves
1 chili pepper
1 bunch of coriander
fresh lettuce (e.g. lamb’s lettuce)
pepper
salt

Preparation

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1. Remove the stalk from the pineapple and slice the pineapple (if you don’t use canned slices). Put one third of the pineapple flesh in a bowl, mix with soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil and lime juice. Peel and chop garlic cloves, chop cilantro, ginger and chili as well. Mix into the marinade and puree everything. Transfer about a third of the marinade into an extra small bowl.

2. Coat chicken fillets generously with marinade. Heat skillet and sear fillets well (if you chose the raw option).

3. Spread both sides of the burger buns with the remaining marinade and top the burger with the cooked chicken fillets and lettuce. Use the remaining pineapple slices as toppings. Close the burger with the top half of the bun and enjoy.

#6 Pesto Eggs

They went viral on TikTok and from there have made it into millions of kitchens: the legendary and delicious Pesto Eggs with Bread, which are delicious for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ingredients

4 eggs
4 slices of bread
60 g pesto of your choice (e.g. red or green pesto)
30 g cream cheese
1 avocado
salt
oregano
Pepper
chili flakes

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

1. Spread pesto the size of the bread slices in a pan and heat.

2. When the pesto is hot, crack the eggs like fried eggs on the edge of the pan and fry in the pan.

3. Season egg-pesto mix with a pinch of salt, pepper, oregano and chili flakes.

4. Put the lid on the pan and let the egg-pesto mix simmer briefly. Meanwhile, spread avocado and cream cheese on bread slices.

5.Drape pesto eggs on bread slices and enjoy pesto eggs with bread or toast. Bon appetit!

#7 Gazpacho with mango

Gazpacho comes in various variations from Spain and Portugal, it is a cold vegetable soup. It doesn’t sound that great at first, but our melon gazpacho will delight you and your guests.

Ingredients

1 mango
½ cucumber
1 bell bell pepper (red)
1 bunch basil
1 bunch of parsley
1 bunch fresh mint (Moroccan mint, peppermint or similar)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 can of tomatoes
1 small onion
1 clove of garlic
1 lemon
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
50 g croutons
salt
pepper (preferably black)

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Tip: Keep as many ingredients as possible (e.g. mango, bell bell pepper and cucumber) in the refrigerator until you prepare the gazpacho. This way, the soup is already nice and cold when you serve it and doesn’t need to be chilled.

1. Cut the mango, bell bell pepper, onion and cucumber into small pieces.

2. Chop the garlic, parsley, basil and mint, add them to the blender together with the fruit, tomato and vegetable pieces and the white wine vinegar and blend to a creamy soup. Season to taste with lemon juice from squeezed lemon, salt and pepper.

3. Heat oil in a frying pan and toast croutons briefly.

4. Serve gazpacho in plates and sprinkle with croutons.

The best universities for computer science

For computer science, RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) Aachen has excelled. It is considered an elite university beyond the borders of Germany. Students particularly praise the freedom to shape their studies through elective courses and the good technical equipment.

Famous graduates: Jürgen von der Lippe, Inga Humpe, Karl Lauterbach

Another popular address for computer science studies is the University of Bonn. With majors such as Autonomous Intelligent Systems, Algorithmics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, etc., it offers a highly modern course of study.

According to the students, the course itself teaches them how to work efficiently and solve problems in a structured way. In addition, students are introduced to programming at an early stage, and overall, computer science in Bonn is very well positioned.

Especially practical: Our Staytoo apartment building in Bonn is located right next to the campus.

Famous graduates: Andrea Nahles, Markus Gabriel, Frederik Pleitgen

Aalen University has made it to the top as a top university of applied sciences. In the Department of Computer Science, the high level of helpfulness of the lecturers is praised above all, even when questions arise outside of the lecture. Students also appreciate the compilation of electives according to their own interests, as well as the opportunity to work with modern technology such as VR goggles.

Famous graduates: Marc Friedrich, Andrea Rögner, Moritz Böhringer

The best universities for business administration

In the field of business administration, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) leads the university ranking; the Technology and Management-Oriented Business Administration (TUM-BWL) degree program enjoys great popularity with a recommendation rate of 94%.

One student writes that she was taught very broad yet detailed knowledge in this degree program. Another student emphasizes that all study material can be conveniently accessed online.

Famous graduates: Konrad Bloch, Heinrich Hertz, Samantha Cristoforetti

The RPTU Kaiserslautern (Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau) is also considered outstanding. It is a merger of the TU Kaiserslautern and the Landau campus of the University of Koblenz-Landau, and is located near the Palatinate Forest, the largest contiguous forest area in Germany.

According to evaluations, the business studies program is well organized, broadly diversified and provides a good overall view. In addition to the core topics, the seminars also teach scientific work well.

The Staytoo in Kaiserlautern offers you a very special location. The Technical University of Kaiserslautern is only a few minutes’ walk away, and the city’s research institutes can also be reached quickly.

Famous graduates: Christoph Garth, Maryna Viazovska, Reem Alabali-Radovan

As with the Department of Computer Science, Aalen University of Applied Sciences again leads the ranking of universities of applied sciences. The courses on offer are Business Administration for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (B.A.) and International Business Administration (B.A.).

Students at Aalen University like the friendly professors, the commitment to teaching content and the clear way in which the lectures are presented. The university is digitally well positioned, so the scripts of the predominantly English-language lectures are available online.

Famous graduates: Marc Friedrich, Andrea Rögner, Moritz Böhringer

The best universities for law/legal studies

According to the ranking, the University of Bayreuth fulfills the best prerequisites for studying law. The top university is committed to the topic of sustainability and, according to its self-image, conducts top-level research; in addition, it is one of the largest employers in the region.

Law studies are described as demanding but very fair. The lecturers are very pleasant and thanks to the good transport links via the Bayreuth Nord freeway exit, it is easy to get to the lecture on time even when there is a lot of traffic.

Famous graduates: Auma Obama, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Nina Buchmann

Second place goes to the FU Berlin, one of the best-known and largest universities in Germany. It also has historical relevance, being considered the nucleus of the student protests in 1968.

Tip: The FU Berlin is also easily accessible from our apartment house for students in Berlin. Take a look at our house right now!

When studying law, one student praises the coherent structure of individual modules according to template as well as the many libraries on campus. Another student describes the choice of her studies at Freie Universität as the best decision. Furthermore, several students note the competence of the lecturers.

Famous graduates: Rudi Dutschke, Elke Heidenreich, Farin Urlaub

The best universities for medicine

The front-runner in medical studies is Heidelberg University, which sees itself as a research university with international appeal.

According to one student, studying here is super exciting and, via the HeiCuMed model, unique for Germany. This is a reformed curriculum, the Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale, with year-round teaching and an excellent reputation. Students continue to praise the university’s good facilities, saying that medical education is of the highest standard.

Famous graduates: Max Weber, Mileva Marić, Erich Fromm

Second place goes to the University of Lübeck. Founded in 1964 as a medical academy in the far north, it continued to develop until it finally achieved university status in 2002.

The University of Lübeck is science-oriented, offering courses in medical nutritional sciences, medical informatics and human medicine, among others. According to the students, preclinical studies are very well organized, there is a family atmosphere on campus, and the Institute of Anatomy is described as ingenious. There is also a lot of practical laboratory work.

Famous graduates: Johannes Wimmer, Matthias Marquardt, Andrea B. Maier

Leipzig University also ranks high in the popularity rankings. Founded as early as 1409, it is one of the country’s leading medical universities. The ambitious, thoughtful research program, also known as “The Leipzig Way,” inspires and fascinates tens of thousands of students from all over the world. In addition, Leipzig is a real boomtown with other hip universities such as the Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK).

Staytoo in Leipzig offers you everything a student heart desires – from supermarkets to trendy neighborhoods like Südvorstadt and cozy cafés. Our location is perfect for those studying at the HTWK, as we are just a short walk away.

Famous graduates: Richard Wagner, Angela Merkel, Novalis

The best universities for psychology

When it comes to psychology studies, the University of Bamberg is right at the top of the rankings. It was founded in the 17th century and is therefore one of the oldest universities in Europe. With over 100 degree programs, the university places great value on personal support and excellent teaching.

All this in a cosmopolitan city teeming with beer pubs. What is emphasized about the study program is that the professors are highly committed and the courses are very interesting. In addition, the program is evaluated every semester to improve the quality of teaching.

Famous graduates: Brigitte Mohn, Lothar Schmid, Henrike Lähnemann

Second place in the ranking goes to Ruhr-Uni-Bochum, which is also the city’s largest employer. It offers degree programs for over 42,600 students at 21 faculties.

The top priorities at the RUB are the networking of research and interdisciplinary cooperation. This is also confirmed by the students, who emphasize the good communication, exciting course content and the high level of self-motivation provided by friendly, courteous lecturers.

Famous graduates: Melanie Raabe, Norbert Lammert, Jamiri

Studying psychology at the Humboldt University Berlin is also extremely popular. The HU Berlin regularly occupies leading positions in study rankings, and there is an ideal connection to our apartment building in Berlin. It only takes 20 minutes to get to the HU campus by bike, or you can quickly take the subway.

Students enjoy the conditions at the university, they write in their evaluations about the very good library, the profound way of studying and about lecturers who put their heart and soul into their work.

Famous graduates: Max Planck, Georg Simmel, Karen Horney

The best universities for social work

The ZEIT ranking does not divide social work studies into universities of applied sciences, but into bachelor’s/master’s programs.

First place for the bachelor’s program goes to Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. It is a technical university that has committed itself to four quality promises: quality in terms of content and didactics, as well as the quality of supervision and pre-vocational quality with practical relevance.

The fairly new dual degree program is well received, and a lot of work is being put into improving it. Things are constantly being improved and the teachers are super nice and competent.

Famous graduates: Rupert Stadler, Bine Brändle, Martin Eder

For a master’s degree program in social work, EVHS Freiburg stood out in the ranking. The state-recognized university with church sponsorship is located in the heart of a wine region with a beautiful landscape.

The university is comparatively small, which favors a family-like study atmosphere. The university itself describes the master’s program in social work as research-oriented, innovative and application-based. Students praise the variety of seminar topics as well as the program directors, who are demanding but also empathetic and helpful.

Famous graduates: unknown

The TH Nuremberg also has good ratings, both for its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in social work. The TH was and is repeatedly represented in top positions in university rankings. For good reason: The course of study is practice-oriented, and the TH is considered the most research-active university in Bavaria with an international orientation.

According to the students, many current topics are covered, and one can learn a lot from the lecturers. The good location is also highlighted; among other things, there is a Staytoo apartment building just 8 minutes away by bike.

Famous graduates: Thorsten Glauber, Andreas Schwarz, Oskar Vierling

Discover more universities in the university ranking

Would you like to discover even more universities in the above-mentioned or other subject areas? Then take a look at the complete ZEIT ranking, which we used as a basis for this article!

Interesting articles in our blog

The Staytoo blog contains many exciting articles about studying. Read it right now!

Learning means laboriously slogging through the subject matter? Fortunately not! Every person is different, and that also applies to learning. Science has found out that there are different learning types. We’ll show you which learning types there are, how you can find your learning type and which learning methods suit you best.

Tip: Click on the individual learning methods to read more information about each method.

#1 Auditory learning type

If you are an auditory learner, then you remember information particularly well by listening. You absorb knowledge from lectures, webinars and audio books like a sponge, and you also benefit from this effect when you read notes to yourself.

These learning methods suit you

#2 Visual learning type

Learning content is memorized particularly well when you can see it. You learn particularly quickly and effectively when you read texts; diagrams such as mind maps or infographics also help you to store knowledge permanently. As a visual learner, pictures that you visualize in your mind’s eye also work well.

These learning methods suit you

#3 Motor or haptic learning type

The motor or haptic type of learner learns with his whole body, i.e. he has to move physically while learning. This is of course difficult in the academic, theory-heavy field, but movement also means writing with your hand. If you are a motoric-haptic type of learner, it is therefore important that you work a lot with your hands in order to store knowledge.

With learning methods such as learning by flashcards, you can also move around the room to promote the learning effect.

These learning methods suit you

#4 Communicative learning type

For communicative learning types, conversation is the learning form par excellence. They retain knowledge by discussing it with others, illuminating the material from different perspectives and repeating it. Linguistic links in one’s own head (mnemonic bridges) are also stored well by the communicative learner type.

These learning methods suit you

#5 Cognitive-intellectual learning type

The cognitive-intellectual learner memorizes the material through understanding. In this case, learning works by reflecting on the content, i.e. by critically and independently examining the subject matter. If the information is logically comprehensible for the cognitive-intellectual learning type, it is much easier for them to remember it.

These learning methods suit you

How to find your learning type

You are unsure which learning type you are? Find out with a learning type test! We can recommend the following three tests:

Tip: In reality, there are hardly any pure learning types. Most people belong to a primary learning type, but also combine characteristics of other learning types. So feel free to try out other learning methods that do not match your primary learning type!

Instructions & tips for cooking asparagus

This delicious spring vegetable is delicious and packed with healthy nutrients. With the following instructions and our tips, you’ll cook top-notch asparagus.

You will need these ingredients for 4 servings of asparagus

2 kg asparagus (fresh)
1 tablespoon butter (or cooking oil)
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp lemon juice (fresh)
1 tsp sugar

Instructions for cooking asparagus

You have a choice of green, purple or white asparagus. Green and purple asparagus is harvested above ground and comes in contact with sunlight, whereupon it turns color. White asparagus is stung underground and is therefore pale in color; it must be peeled, unlike green or purple asparagus.

#1 Peel asparagus

This step only occurs if you’re using white asparagus.

Here’s how to peel asparagus: Take each asparagus spear individually in your hand so that one side of the asparagus is facing you. Now, using an asparagus peeler, peel the asparagus spear from the top of the asparagus spear down to the end of the asparagus spear in an up-down motion.

Now carefully turn the asparagus in your hand until a new, unpeeled side of the asparagus is facing your direction, which you will now peel. Repeat until the asparagus is completely peeled.

When you have peeled all the spears, cut off the ends of the asparagus spears (about 2-3 inches) as they are usually dried out and woody.

#2 Put the asparagus in boiling water

Heat water in a pot until it begins to simmer. Important: Don’t add too much water to the pot, just enough to wet the asparagus spears with hot water. Add butter, sugar, lemon juice and salt and now carefully add the spears to the pot. If the spears are too long for the pot, you can also cut them into pieces.

#3 Cook the asparagus for 10-15 minutes

Close the lid of the pot and let the asparagus simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Lower the stovetop temperature to a minimum while you do this so that the asparagus is gently cooked and not overcooked.

Then, using two spoons, lift the asparagus spears out of the pot one spear at a time, let them drain briefly over the open pot, and then place them on a plate. The asparagus is now ready to serve.

Tips for buying asparagus and cooking asparagus

To make your asparagus dinner a pleasure, we’ve put together these tips:

You can recognize fresh asparagus by the fact that the spears look juicy and plump. White asparagus shines beautifully, while the colors of green or purple asparagus are vibrant.
You can recognize old asparagus by the fact that it has cracks and open heads. In this case, you should look elsewhere for fresh asparagus.
Store asparagus in the refrigerator for as short a time as possible. Ideally, you should cook and eat it the day you buy it. If you do want to store it, wrap it in a damp tea towel and store it in the crisper to keep it fresh for up to three days longer.
You can also roast asparagus, depending on the variety of asparagus (white, green or purple) it will take different amounts of time, but on average 10 to 12 minutes. Use butter or a high-quality oil for this and remember to peel white asparagus first!
You can wrap cooked or roasted asparagus stalks in aluminum foil and keep them warm in a mini-oven at 100 degrees until the other ingredients such as cutlets or potatoes are ready.
A perfect accompaniment to asparagus is hollandaise sauce or béarnaise sauce, two butter sauces that you can make yourself or buy ready-made.
You can easily make a delicious asparagus soup from the asparagus water. For this, sweat butter in a hot pot and add flour to make a so-called roux. Then add the asparagus water and cream until you have a creamy soup. Refine the soup with nutmeg and a pinch of salt. Enjoy your meal!

Now let’s move on to the cutlet dishes, asparagus and potatoes are perfect healthy side dishes for all of them. We recommend that you peel the potatoes and boil them in salted water before preparing asparagus and schnitzel, as they take the longest to cook.

#1 Schnitzel (classic)

There are two classic types of schnitzel: veal schnitzel (expensive) and pork schnitzel (inexpensive). Chicken schnitzel is also a popular variation. All types of schnitzel can be prepared in the same way, we will show you how.

Ingredients

4 cutlets of veal or pork (from leg or rump, the highest quality is the so-called veal topside)
2 eggs
1 lemon
125 g breadcrumbs (best from the bakery)
100 g flour
100 ml oil (vegetable)
3 tablespoons clarified butter
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Prepare three bowls or deep plates:

1x with flour
1x with breadcrumbs
1x for the freshly beaten eggs (later)

1. Place schnitzel between two cling films and pound the meat. If you don’t have a meat tenderizer, you can also use a pan or a pot for this purpose and pound the schnitzel with the underside of the pan or pot.

Why pound? Pounding ensures that the schnitzel is nice and flat and the meat is tender. The cling film prevents the fine meat fibers from being destroyed in the process, plus it makes for better hygiene.

2. Beat eggs in the bowl or deep plate, season with salt and pepper.

3. Take beaten meat and press it firmly into the flour from both sides.

4. Briefly place the meat in the beaten egg mixture and turn it over until it is covered on both sides.

5. Place meat in breadcrumbs, but do not press. Instead, gently turn and keep dredging the breadcrumbs over the meat until the surfaces are evenly coated with them.

6. Put plenty of oil and clarified butter in a frying pan and heat pan.

7. Add schnitzel to pan one at a time, when it sizzles, the oil and clarified butter mixture is hot enough. Fry each Schnitzel for about 2 minutes on each side, then remove from pan and serve.

#2 Vegetarian Schnitzel

On the table, the vegetarian schnitzel comes in a version made from celery. Ingeniously simple to make and so delicious!

Ingredients

1 celery or kohlrabi tuber
2 eggs
1 lemon
125 g breadcrumbs (preferably from the bakery)
100 g flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Prepare three bowls or deep plates:

1x with flour
1x with breadcrumbs
1x for the freshly beaten eggs (later)

1. Peel celery or kohlrabi bulb and cut into slices (about 1 cm thick).

2. Beat eggs in the bowl or deep dish, season with salt and pepper, pull celery or kohlrabi slices through the egg mixture.

3. Press the slices, wetted with egg, firmly into the flour on both sides.

4. Then pull the slices through the breadcrumbs.

5. Heat the pan and fry the vegetable slices until golden brown.

Tip: If you blanch the celery or kohlrabi slices in hot water shortly before frying, they will cook faster.

#3 Vegan Schnitzel

Ready for a delicious oatmeal schnitzel that will make your mouth water? Then get to know the perfect recipe here!

Ingredients

150 g oatmeal
50 g flour
150 ml vegetable broth
50 g breadcrumbs (best from the bakery)
20g sesame seeds
50 ml oil (vegetable)
1 clove of garlic
1 shallot
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika powder (sweet)

Preparation

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1. Put oatmeal in a blender and grind to a fine powder. If you don’t have a blender, you can alternatively buy oatmeal powder.

2. Finely chop the garlic and onion and add them to the oatmeal powder along with the spices.

3. Add vegetable broth and mix well.

4. Arrange plates with breadcrumbs.

5. Take a handful of the oatmeal-spice mixture and flatten mixture into breadcrumbs, turning until vegan cutlet is completely covered with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over cutlets and lightly press into breading.

6. Heat oil in pan and fry cutlets in it, turning, until breading has turned a golden brown color.

Nutri-Score

The Nutri-Score tells you how valuable a food is for your body. The Nutri-Score is calculated from the energy content and the quality of the ingredients.

In general, the higher the energy content and the healthier the ingredients, the higher the Nutri-Score. However, the Nutri-Score also has weaknesses, as you can read below under the section Problems with the Nutri-Score.

These ingredients make for a good Nutri-Score:

Vegetables
Fruits
Dietary Fiber
Proteins
Nuts
Walnut, olive and canola oil

These ingredients make for a poor Nutri-Score:

High total energy
Sugar
Salt
Saturated fatty acids

The Nutri-Score goes over an alphabetical scale from the letters A to E, we briefly explain each score level.

Nutri-Score A

You can buy foods with this Nutri-Score without hesitation and consume them daily.

Nutri-Score B

If you see the “B” on a package, this food is also considered high quality and is basically suitable for daily consumption.

Nutri-Score C

In the case of Nutri-Score C, the yellow background color is striking. This is to indicate that the food has “good” ingredients in the sense of the Nutri-Score, but also so many substances of concern that the food is considered unbalanced.

Nutri-Score D

The orange Nutri-Score D expresses that this is clearly an unbalanced food that you should not consume on a daily basis.

Nutri-Score E

The red and final level of the Nutri Score warns of foods that may be harmful to the body and should therefore be omitted from the diet.

Problems with the Nutri-Score

The Nutri-Score was introduced in Germany in 2020 to help consumers quickly and easily distinguish healthy from unhealthy food when shopping.

But there are contradictions: Cheese, for example, regularly gets a Nutri-Score D or E because it contains a lot of fat. At the same time, however, cheese also contains a lot of calcium and magnesium – substances that our bodies urgently need. The same phenomenon occurs with butter.

Bio-Butter-Nutri-Score — The fact that it is a high-quality organic butter with many valuable ingredients such as vitamins K2, A and D does not matter for the Nutri-Score.

In other words, the Nutri-Score leaves out important, healthy nutrients from the calculation.

Consumer advocates also criticize the fact that the Nutri-Score is a voluntary statement. Manufacturers of questionable foods can therefore omit it, which means that the Nutri-Score has not (yet) become a standard for foods in Germany.

What the Nutri-Score helps you with – and what not

The Nutri-Score can help you with this: The Nutri-Score can make it easier for you to make an initial, superficial assessment when buying packaged foods.

The Nutri-Score does not help you: Unfortunately, the Nutri-Score does not relieve you of the task of actively and consciously dealing with healthy nutrition, as it fails with some products by leaving essential substances out of the calculation. However, the score is constantly being developed and refined.

Haltungsformen (Types of Farming)

The 4 types of farming in Germany describe how animals were kept and fed. You can recognize the farming methods as numbers on the packaging of meat products.

Bio-Fleisch-Haltungsformen — The husbandry types indicate in figures which standards were taken into account in animal husbandry.

Haltungsform 1: Stallhaltung

Here, the absolute minimum requirements for keeping animals apply. Here, the animals are kept cramped in a few square meters, often without daylight and without fresh air. Often the animals are also tethered and get feed with genetic engineering.

Haltungsform 2: StallhaltungPlus

Here, the conditions are somewhat better than in stall husbandry: a little more space and so-called occupational material such as straw make the animals’ existence slightly easier. Fresh air and daylight are not standard at this level either, and GM food is also used.

Haltungsform 3: Außenklima

This type of housing obliges animal owners to provide their animals with access to fresh air. This can be ensured, for example, by a covered run or by a barn with an open side. In addition, the feed must be free of genetic engineering.

Haltungsform 4: Premium

The highest form of husbandry allows the animals to roam outdoors (pigs permanently, cattle approx. 200 days per year, turkeys and broilers for at least 1/3 of their lifetime) and also, as in form of husbandry 3, feed without genetic engineering. In addition, at least 20% of the feed must come from the own region. In addition, bedding such as sand, peat or straw for occupation is part of the standard inventory in the barn.

Where the Haltungsform helps you – and where not

The label of the farming method helps you: The label of the farming method allows you to buy meat, where you are informed with high probability about the conditions under which the animals were kept and fed.

The indication of the farming method does not help you: Unfortunately, the indication of the farming method does not reveal anything about the transport, the slaughter and the health of the animals. Thus, as a consumer, you cannot be sure that the animals have not been crammed together for mass transport, for example, simply by stating the type of farming.

Umweltsiegel

Eco-labels help consumers identify whether a product has been produced in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Article tip: Living sustainably as a student: 8 tips for everyday life

You’ll find the following eco-labels on food products with corresponding standards. We explain what the seals mean.

Bio-Seal

The organic seal tells you that this food – be it animal or vegetable – has been produced according to organic standards. Among other things, this means that animals have been fed only organically produced feed without the addition of antibiotics or so-called performance enhancers. Performance enhancers provide improved nutrient absorption in the digestive organs of animals, causing them to gain weight faster while saving feed.

In agriculture, the Bio seal stands for organic farming, i.e. the avoidance of pesticides; furthermore, no chemical fertilizers and no genetic engineering are used.

The organic seal is a voluntary label that organic producers can use as long as they can prove that they meet the standards.

EU Bio logo

Unlike the organic label, the EU organic logo is mandatory for pre-packaged organic foods that meet EU organic standards. Furthermore, the control number of the organic inspection body must be clearly displayed together with the logo. The EU organic logo guarantees that the product is free of genetic engineering and that no synthetic chemical fertilizers or pesticides have been used in agriculture. In the case of animal products, the EU organic logo stands for animal welfare.

Bio-Butter-Siegel — As here on the organic butter, the organic seal and the EU organic logo are often found on organic products.

Vegetarian & Vegan

For those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it is important to be able to check food for these criteria. These internationally known seals help with this. They ensure that products are free of animal ingredients such as gelatine. This also applies to any additives.

Fair Trade

The Fair Trade seal stands for the fact that food has been produced under fair conditions. Fair conditions are among other things the renunciation of child labor as well as humane regulated working conditions. The fair trade seal thus shows that the food is harvested or produced and delivered without exploitation.

More seals

There are many other seals to help you with your purchase decision, including the “Ohne Gentechnik” seal, the “FÜR MEHR TIERSCHUTZ” seal or “NEULAND”. These are voluntarily applicable by the industry.

What the seals help you with – and what not

The seals help you to do this: Similar to the Nutri-Score, the seals give you an orientation when buying food. In particular, the EU organic logo and the organic seal indicate that the producer of the food has been regularly checked for strict standards.

However, the seals do not help you: Critics complain that the criteria for the seals are too lax. Particularly in the case of animal husbandry, the conditions would in fact hardly differ from those of factory farming. They also criticize the fact that factors such as the length of time animals are transported or the exact origin of the products cannot be determined beyond doubt.

In the case of the Fair Trade label, the term “fair” is a major point of criticism, as it is neither protected nor clearly defined. For example, the prices paid to coffee and cocoa farmers would be nowhere near enough to lift them out of poverty.

Many other seals are voluntary and serve partly pure advertising purposes. So seals do not give you a 100% guarantee that the food has actually been produced in an ecologically sustainable and fair way.

Eating sustainably: Include multiple factors

If you want to eat healthily and sustainably, you have to deal with the subject intensively, actively and consciously. That’s the “bad” news. The good news is that you can maximize your chances of sustainable, healthy consumption by taking the various factors into account in aggregate:

Nutri-Score
Farming Method Statement
Organic & fair trade label
Press reports or reports
Reports on the website of the Verbraucherzentrale

Here’s another tip: If you want to be sure to buy ecologically sustainable food, avoid supermarkets and buy food regionally and seasonally from farmers in your area. You can also order fruit and vegetable boxes from many of them. In this way, you can buy fairly produced and healthy food even in an unmanageable, globalized industry. We wish you lots of fun and enjoyment!

Recipes for omnivores

When it comes to meat and fish, class applies instead of mass. In the following dishes, you can therefore combine them with other, filling ingredients.

Recipe #1: Turkey cutlets with spaetzle

This dish is super tasty and quickly ready on the table. Geschnetzeltes satiates nice and long, without lying like a stone in the stomach, and is therefore ideal as a full lunch or as an evening meal.

Ingredients

500 g turkey breast fillet
250 g mushrooms
500 ml vegetable broth
1 onion
1 cup crème fraîche
1 clove of garlic
500 ml vegetable broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 tsp flour
paprika hot
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Tip: Commercially available spaetzle, but also rice or noodles go well with this dish.

1. Heat pan and add olive oil. Cut turkey breast fillet into pieces and add to pan over high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast meat in skillet for about 2 minutes, then turn and roast other side, but do not cook through. When both sides are browned, transfer meat to plate.

2. Skin and chop garlic clove, dice onion, clean and slice mushrooms. Again add a little oil to the pan, add mushrooms. Season mushrooms lightly, add garlic, diced onion and mushrooms to hot pan and sauté until translucent, dust with flour and paprika powder and sauté briefly.

3. Add broth, bring to a boil briefly, stir in crème fraîche. Put the pan on low heat, add the cut meat to the sauce and heat gently for about 3-4 minutes, do not boil.

4. Arrange the meat with the sauce and vegetables on plates, chop the parsley and sprinkle over the portions.

Recipe #2: Rice Noodles with Beef

Fresh, light and healthy, this Asian dish is ideal if you want to study or go to the gym in the afternoon. The beef provides you with B12 and protein, and the vegetables give you a fresh kick.

Ingredients

400 g beef (flat iron from beef shoulder)
100 g rice noodles
100 ml vegetable broth
1 shallot
2 cloves of garlic
1 piece of fresh ginger
1 onion
1 bell bell pepper
1 piece of leek
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp sambal oelek (or similar chili paste)

Preparation

Preparation time: 20 minutes

1. put rice noodles in a pot and pour hot water over them. Let stand for about 6 minutes or according to package directions. Place noodles in colander to drain.

2. rinse meat, pat dry and cut into strips. Dice shallot, garlic cloves, ginger and onion. Cut bell bell pepper and cilantro into strips, leek into fine rings.

3. heat pan, add meat strips over high heat and fry vigorously for about 3 minutes, turning several times. Meanwhile, add pepper and salt. Remove meat from pan and sauté vegetables in drippings.

4. Add the meat and mix with the vegetables and fresh coriander. Add soy sauce and sambal oelek and mix well. Let stand briefly and then serve together with the rice noodles.

Recipe #3: Herring salad with potatoes

Grandma’s classic is quickly made and simply delicious. The hearty herring salad provides you with valuable minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as important omega-3 fatty acids. Potatoes provide long-chain carbohydrates that keep you satiated for a long time.

Ingredients

350 g potatoes (firm boiled)
4 Bismarck herrings
1 onion
1 apple
1 cup of cream
5 pickles
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp vinegar (e.g. apple cider vinegar)
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Steeping time in the refrigerator: 3 hours

1. Peel, dice and boil potatoes until cooked. Meanwhile, dice herring, pickles, apple and onion.

2. mix herring, diced pickles, apple and onion together in a large bowl, add cream, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper.

3. Mix in warm potato pieces, mix everything together vigorously and let it sit in the refrigerator for three hours. Then serve the herring salad cold.

Recipes for vegetarians

For healthy, nutrient-rich vegetables, we recommend going to the farmer’s market or to the frozen section of the supermarket. Vegetables that have already been in the display of discounters for several days should not be the first choice, as nutrients have already been lost as a result.

Recipe #1: Fusilli with sun-dried tomatoes, green asparagus & arugula

Pasta always goes. Even more so with this light dish that provides plenty of vitamin C and beta-carotene thanks to the asparagus. Arugula provides other vitamins, potassium and mustard oils that are precious for the body.

Ingredients

500 g fusilli
200 g green asparagus
125 g dried tomatoes
1 bunch of arugula
2 cloves of garlic
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons cheese (Parmesan or Emmental)
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 20 minutes

1. Add a teaspoon of salt to the pasta water and bring to the boil. Add the fusilli to the boiling water. Drain the pasta together with the pasta water through a sieve and let the pasta rest in it.

2. Cut off the ends of the asparagus (about 3 centimeters). Heat large pan with olive oil and add asparagus. Cut dried tomatoes into quarters and add to asparagus in pan. Sauté vegetables, seasoning with pepper and salt. Turn heat to low, dice garlic cloves and sauté briefly in same pan until translucent.

3. Place asparagus separately on a plate. Add pasta, arugula and oil to pan, mix everything well with the sauteed dried tomatoes and garlic. Serve pasta-vegetable mixture on plates and garnish with asparagus spears. Grate the cheese and sprinkle over the pasta.

Recipe #2: Wrap rolls with tomatoes and spring onions

This recipe is optimal as a healthy, filling snack for parties and game nights. Best of all, the wraps are totally easy to make!

Ingredients

6 wholemeal wraps
150 g dried tomatoes
1 cucumber
300 g herb cream cheese
1 tsp lemon juice
1 bunch of spring onions
2 cloves of garlic

Preparation

Preparation time: 35 minutes
Steeping time in the refrigerator: 2 hours

1. Put the garlic cloves in a garlic press, mix the pressed garlic thoroughly with the cream cheese and the lemon juice.

2. Spread the wraps evenly with the garlic-herb cream cheese.

3. Dice the tomatoes and cucumber and cut the spring onion into fine rings. Put everything together on the wraps.

4. Roll the wraps tightly, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

5. After the wraps are done with the ingredients, take them out of the refrigerator and cut them into evenly thick slices. Arrange the wrap slices on plates and serve as finger food.

Recipe #3: Shakshuka

In Israel and northern Africa, shakshuka has a firm place in the menu. The dish is easy to whip up, tastes fantastic and keeps you full for a long time.

Ingredients

6 eggs
2 red peppers
2 onions
2 cans of tomatoes (whole or peeled)
200 g goat or sheep cheese
1 teaspoon of paprika powder, sweet
1 tsp cumin
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch coriander
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 30 minutes

1. Skin and dice the onions. Peel garlic and, depending on preference, chop finely, slice thinly or crush cloves whole.

2. Add oil to pan and sauté diced onion over medium heat until translucent.

3. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, making sure garlic does not brown.

4. Add paprika powder, cumin, salt and pepper, mix everything and simmer for another 30 seconds.

5. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Once that happens, lower the temperature to a minimum and let the shakshuka gently simmer.

6. Once the mixture has become creamy, use the curved side of a spoon to make cavities in the mixture for the eggs.

7. Now beat the eggs and let them run into the cavities. Now spoon the creamy sauce lightly over the edges of the egg whites to speed up the cooking of the eggs.

8. Put lid on the pan and cook the shakshuka on low heat until cooked through. After 5 minutes, check the firmness of the eggs with your thumb for the first time, repeat this step until they reach the desired firmness.

9. Remove pan from heat and allow shakshuka to continue cooking on a heatproof surface with the lid open. Chop the cilantro, dice the cheese and sprinkle the shakshuka with both.

Recipes for vegans

The industry offers numerous products for vegans, but they are often artificially produced and expensive. Here, certain meat substitute products in particular stand out, which are supposed to have the greatest possible resemblance to schnitzel & co. with many additives. With the following recipes you enjoy healthier vegan dishes cheap and tasty.

Recipe #1: Vegetable fritters with paprika dip

The roasted flavors make the fritters an irresistible meal, while the fresh and fiery dip adds an extra kick of flavor.

Ingredients

Vegetable fritters:

150 g millet
300 ml vegetable broth
1 carrot (large)
2 spring onions
2 dried tomatoes
1 small bunch of parsley
2 tablespoons oat flakes
2 tablespoons flax or chia seeds
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. paprika powder rose hot
salt
pepper

Paprika dip:

250 g pointed peppers (red)
50 ml vegetable broth
1 chili
1 clove of garlic
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
6 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 30 minutes

1. Put broth in pot and bring to boil. Add millet and lower temperature, allowing millet to simmer in broth for 10 minutes.

2. Rinse carrots thoroughly, cut off ends and grate carrots finely.

3. Finely chop the spring onion, dried tomatoes and parsley. Be sure to save the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, this will be added to the frying mixture in a moment.

4. Turn off the stove. Mix all the ingredients together with the oil of the dried tomatoes with the millet in the pot, including the sunflower seeds, spices, etc. 5.

5. Blend the ingredients with a hand blender until creamy. 6.

6. Allow the mixture to cool.

7. Wash and chop the bell bell pepper and chili. Chop peeled garlic into fine pieces.

8. Heat olive oil in pan, add peppers and chili and roast. When the peppers are lightly browned, add garlic to the pan, roast briefly and deglaze everything with a dash of broth. Chop the herbs, add them together with 6 tablespoons of water and let the mixture cook for about 10 minutes, then puree it and let it cool down in a bowl.

9. Now remove the cooled vegetable-millet mixture from the pot and form into patties. Fry the patties with a little oil in the pan in which the vegetables for the dip were previously fried until crispy, which gives them an additional great flavor. Serve the hot patties with the dip.

Recipe #2: Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese

The classic from Italy tastes great with this lentil bolognese. And it’s a snap to make, too!

Ingredients

500 g spaghetti (durum wheat semolina or wholemeal)
450 ml vegetable broth
250 g red lentils
200 g mushrooms
4 cloves of garlic
700 g tomatoes (chunky)
2 onions
2 carrots
1 medium celery stalk
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tsp Italian herbs
2 tsp. cane sugar
1 bay leaf
1 nutmeg (optional nutmeg powder)
salt
pepper

Preparation

Preparation time: 45 minutes

1. Put two tablespoons of oil in large saucepan and heat over medium heat with lid on. Dice onions and add to pot.

2. Finely chop garlic and add. Saute onions and garlic until translucent.

3. Dice carrots and add to pot.

4. Separate celery stalks from leaves, saving leaves for later. Slice stalks and add to pot. Stir and steam the diced vegetables until the pieces are soft (takes about 5-7 minutes).

5. Add chunky tomatoes, add a little water to the cans, this will bind the tomato liquid in the water, next add to the pot.

6. Add tomato paste, Italian herbs to the pot, break bay leaf in the middle to release the aroma and add both halves of the leaves. Add a pinch of nutmeg powder.

7. Stir Vegan Bolognese and simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. Stir every now and then in between.

8. In parallel, heat water in another pot and add pasta when the water boils. Once the spaghetti is cooked, it can be served hot together with the bolognese. Add the celery leaves as a topping. Vegan parmesan is excellent for refinement.

Recipe #3: Summer rolls

Summer rolls are cool, crunchy and fresh. They can be super rolled together and topped individually. We present our favorite summer rolls, you can of course fill them with seitan and any vegetables, cabbage, etc. that you like.

Ingredients

16 x rice paper for summer rolls
200 rice noodles
50 grams of bean sprouts
1 cucumber
2 carrots
Soy (smoked or plain)
Picked lettuce
bell bell pepper
mint leaves
1 bunch cilantro
Thai basil
soy sauce
tamarind sauce
mango chutney

Preparation

Preparation time: 35 minutes

1. Cut the vegetables into long strips and arrange them with the other ingredients on boards or bowls.

2. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Put a rice paper in it for a few seconds so that it is completely covered with the warm water. Important here: the water must not be too hot, otherwise the rice paper will clump together into a sticky mass.

3. Remove the rice paper from the warm water and fill it on a board or plate like a wrap with your favorite ingredients, herbs and sauces, form a roll and enjoy.

Tip: Fresh, tangy dips with lime or lemon go well with summer rolls. These can be easily mixed with lime or lemon juice and vegan yogurt in any ratio.

Becoming self-employed as a student: still atypical

For most students, the path is still: first complete your studies and then take a job. In fact, there is another way – to become self-employed as a student.

Often, however, panic arises at the mere thought of self-employment as a student. Questions arise like:

What should I do as a self-employed person?
How and where do I register my self-employment?
Will my self-employment affect my BAföG entitlement?

It’s a good thing you came across this article, because it tells you how to become self-employed as a student.

Please note: As soon as you earn money with your activities, you must be registered as self-employed with the tax office. In step #2 you will learn how to do that.

Instructions: Step by step self-employment as a student

With the following instructions you can become self-employed as a student – at your own pace.

Step 1: Try out different activities

Self-employment is always about trying things out and experimenting. This is how you find out which activities suit you and which do not. One of the biggest challenges of self-employment as a student is the question of what you want to start your own business with. Many students are overwhelmed by this question and the numerous possibilities that present themselves.

That’s why it’s a good idea to try out different activities. Ask family or friends if you can help out or get a taste of their work. Also check out web portals that offer student jobs. Search specifically for self-employed activities for students.

Work in the office
Writing / translating text
Programming
Gardening
Promotion Jobs
Social Work (e.g. Nursing)

If you don’t know your way around an area yet, ask for assistance. This will help you learn and figure out what you want to be self-employed with as a student.

Step 2: Register for self-employment

Once you have figured out what you want to be self-employed with as a student, you need to register your self-employment.

Tip small business regulation: If you become self-employed as a student, it is worthwhile to take advantage of the small business regulation. This exempts you from VAT if your annual turnover does not exceed 50,000 euros and your previous year’s turnover was less than 22,000 euros. You must register for the small business regulation in the questionnaire for tax registration.

Let’s move on to the registration of your self-employment. In Germany, there are two types of self-employed persons:

Freiberufler

The category of Freiberufler includes all persons whose self-employed activities fall under the so-called catalog professions and the catalog-like professions.

Examples of Freiberufler:

Translator
Copywriter
Yoga Teacher
Designer

A detailed list of Freiberufler professions can be found here, for example. Freiberufler have several advantages over other self-employed persons, among other things they are exempt from trade tax, have simplified accounting with the EÜR and do not have to become a member of the IHK.

Apply for Freiberufler status: Complete the tax registration questionnaire. You will then receive a tax number in the mail, which you will use for your freelance activity. You can find the questionnaire in digital form in the ELSTER portal, for which you must register.

Excursus: Is a Freiberufler the same as a freelancer?

Sometimes both terms are used synonymously, but this is not correct.

The difference between freelancer and Freiberufler is that freelance activities do not belong to catalog or catalog-like professions. This therefore includes all other activities, for example consultants or coaches. Freelancers do not benefit from the advantages of Freiberuflichkeit, but must register their self-employment as a business. You can find out how to do this in the next section.

Gewerbetreibender

In short, Gewerbetreibende are self-employed persons who carry out a trade. Or to put it another way: any economic activity that does not belong to the liberal professions (Freiberufler) is classified as a Gewerbetreibender.

Examples of Gewerbetreibender:

Consultants
Coaches
Craftsmen
Entrepreneurs

Another classic case for a trade is also when you start a business.

As a Gewerbetreibender, you are obliged to fill out the questionnaire for tax registration, just like the freelancer. In addition, you must register your business at the trade office in your city/region. Search the web for “register a trade online” and click through to the registration page of your local trade office.

As a trader, you also pay trade tax, which is based on the so-called trade tax rate, which varies from municipality to municipality.

Step 3: Find clients/customers

Once you have fought your way through the bureaucratic hurdles, the next challenge awaits you: You want to find clients or customers for your self-employment as a student. But where? There are several ways to do this:

Online job boards

Freelancing platforms are excellent places to apply for jobs. For this purpose, there are established and grown job boards like Freelance.de (DE), Jobruf (DE), Junico (DE), Upwork or Fiverr. Also check out comparatively young platforms like Freelancermap.

Personal contacts

Inform your circle of relatives and friends that you are self-employed and want to do jobs. It is important that your friends know what exactly you do, so that they can recommend you or approach you with an inquiry. Acquiring clients through personal relationships is one of the most promising ways of all to build long-term clients or customers.

Networking Events

Networking events are held regularly in every major and minor city where entrepreneurs, decision makers and other self-employed people meet. As a self-employed person, it is immensely important to build a strong network and to be present at such events. The more business people know your name, the higher the chances of generating orders from contacts. You can find networking events on the website of your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as on social networks such as LinkedIn, Xing and Facebook.

Step 4: Developing independence

Improving your own offer, customer service, taxes: As a self-employed person, there is always something to learn and improve.

You have two major advantages when you start your own business as a student:

You can already take important learning steps as a young person
You have a lot of energy and therefore also the power to push forward your self-employment.

Maybe you will become completely self-employed when your studies end? Or maybe you will become self-employed as a student in order to have an attractive sideline?

Whatever you decide: The paths to self-employment are diverse, exciting and a real adventure in which you must always develop yourself further!

Can I receive BAföG while being self-employed?

In principle, yes.

The extent to which your self-employment affects your entitlement to BAföG depends on how much you earn. There is a monthly allowance of € 290 as well as an allowance for income-related expenses of € 1,200 (for the year 2022, in 2023 it is even € 1,230), which you deduct from your annual income.

Advertising costs are costs that you incur in order to gain customers in the course of your self-employment as a student. Advertising costs can include the maintenance of your own business website, printing of business cards, etc.

In addition, there is the social security lump sum of 21.3%. of 21.3%, which you also deduct from your annual income. If the income calculated from this exceeds the tax-free amount, the excess amount is deducted from your income based on the calculation.

Example calculation:

In 2022, you earned a total of 7,000 euros from your self-employment as a student (earnings = income). From this, you can deduct the lump sum for advertising expenses of 1,230 euros, leaving 5,770 euros for the BAföG calculation. From the 5,770 euros, you deduct the social security lump sum of 21.3%. H. v. 21.3 % from the 5,770 euros.

You divide the result, €4,540.99, by 12 to determine the average monthly earnings, which is €378.42 rounded to the decimal place. You thus exceed the tax-free amount of € 290 by € 88.42, which will be deducted from your BAföG.

Self-employed as a student and with health insurance: This is what you should keep in mind

In addition to the tax office and the BAföG office, there is another important institution: health insurance. As a student, you are usually covered by your parents’ health insurance until the age of 25. Or you pay into a student health insurance. Whichever case applies to you: If you become self-employed as a student, you must inform your health insurance company.

The health insurance company will then check the extent of your self-employment. If they come to the conclusion that your self-employment is part-time, the so-called working student privilege applies: You are then exempt from health insurance, unemployment insurance and nursing care insurance. The requirement for this is that you spend a maximum of 20 hours on your self-employment alongside your studies. If you invest more time and/or your income is significantly higher than with a traditional part-time job, you should consult with your health insurance company about what to do.

Inspiration: Ideas for self-employment alongside your studies

Tip: There are coaches who specialize in the topic of self-employment during studies or self-employment alongside studies. They can help you find the right idea for you.

If you want to become self-employed as a student, in many cases you can do this from the comfort of your own home, so you can work flexibly alongside your studies. We present the most popular business ideas for self-employment:

Social Media Manager
Copywriter
Translator
Web Developer
Virtual Assistant
Coach
Computer Trainer
Tutor

You will certainly find something that interests you among the ideas mentioned. We wish you good luck for your self-employment!

International Women’s Day 2023

International World Women’s Day 2023 will take place under the theme #EmbraceEquity. Women from around the world are advocating for a gender-just, prejudice-free world where discrimination is stopped and diversity is celebrated.

Under the hashtags #EmbraceEquity, #WorldWomensDay and #IWD, women post pictures of themselves embracing diversity – for an inclusive world where we all have an equal place. You too can join in under the hashtag and support this year’s movement!

Things to know about International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day was first officially celebrated on March 19, 1911 in the United States, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. But years before that, women’s labor movements around the world were advocating for a day to strengthen women’s rights. One achievement of these efforts included the right to vote, which was not allowed for women in Germany until 1918.

To this day, women demonstrate for equal rights on International Women’s Day and campaign against discrimination. One of the most important issues is equal rights for women in all areas of society, from the right to equal pay to equal rights in raising children (e.g. paid leave for fathers and childcare options that meet their needs).

Article tip: Receiving child benefit while studying: Important facts

By the way, since 2019, International Women’s Day has been an official holiday in Berlin, as well as in entire countries, including Armenia, Cuba, Laos, Uganda and Vietnam.

Now let’s move on to historical women who had a significant impact on our history.

#1 Cleopatra

January 69 B.C. – August 30 B.C.

kleopatra-weltfrauentag — Bust of Cleopatra VII – Altes Museum – Berlin – Germany 2017/ Author: José Luiz / Jbribeiro1 / Wikimedia

Many myths surround this Egyptian ruler, who was described as beautiful and highly intelligent. She was the last female pharaoh and spoke nine languages, including Egyptian, Arabic, Syriac and Ethiopian. Cleopatra is famous to this day because she managed to maintain Egypt’s independence from the then powerful Roman Empire. This was thanks to her clever rule, which also included skillful dealings with Caesar.

Book tip: Cleopatra. The Queen Who Challenged Rome and Won Eternal Glory (Alberto Angela).

#2 Joan of Arc

probably 1412 – May 30, 1431

jeanne-d-arc-weltfrauentag — Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France / Pascal Bernardon / Unsplash

Joan of Arc was a French national heroine and has also gone down in history under the names Joan of Arc or Maid of Orleans. During the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, which, contrary to its name, lasted in phases from 1337 to 1453, Joan of Arc, in 1429, at the age of only 17 and with a small army, successfully recaptured the city of Orléans, important to France, from the English. Her bravery encouraged the soldiers at her side.

In another battle, she was captured by the Burgundians – allies of England – and handed over to the English. She was accused of being a heretic and burned alive at the age of only 19. Centuries later, she was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1920.

Book tip: Joan of Arc (Gerd Krumeich)

#3 Marie Curie

November 7, 1867 – July 4, 1934

marie-curie-weltfrauentag — Marie Curie / Author: Henri Manuel / Wikimedia

Marie Curie was one of the most important chemists and physicists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Born in Poland, she moved to Paris as a young woman to study at the Sorbonne University. She is considered the founder of radiochemistry and was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of radioactivity. She was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of the elements polonium and radium and for the ionization of radium. Polonium is used, among other things, in space travel as a heat source in satellites, and radium was used until the 1960s for luminous dials on watches and alarm clocks, until its radiation effects, which are hazardous to health, became known.

Book tip: Marie Curie: The first woman of science | The eventful life of the first Nobel Prize winner – biography (Barbara Goldsmith)

#4 Maria Montessori

August 31, 1870 – May 6, 1952

maria-montessori-weltfrauentag — Marie Montessori / Author: Unbekannt / Creative Commons Lizenz / Wikimedia

You probably know Montessori schools or have even been to one yourself. Maria Montessori, who gave her name to the school, developed an educational method that literally became popular as Montessori education.

Montessori education focuses on the independence of the child and adolescent. The child becomes the “master builder of his or her self,” as the concept is often described. In open lessons, the child is taught to help himself. This is combined with free work, where the child can develop and learn independently.

Unlike the reward-and-punishment system on which classical education is based, Maria Montessori believed in the child’s natural inherent motivation, which must be awakened and encouraged by attentive teachers. Learning is individualized to the child, his or her learning pace, gifts and talents.

Montessori education has been used in Montessori schools worldwide since 1907.

Book tip: Maria Montessori: Little People, Big Dreams. (María Isabel Sánchez Vegara)

#5 Rosa Luxemburg

March 5, 1871 – January 15, 1919

rosa-luxemburg-weltfrauentag — Rosa Luxemburg / Source: Henri Manuel / Creative Commons Lizenz / Wikimedia

Rosa Luxemburg is considered one of the most influential fighters of the labor movement and for political equality. The democratic socialist and SPD supporter went down in history as a convincing and courageous critic of war and capitalism. Luxemburg’s resistance to brutalization and militarism earned her several prison terms, including for “lèse majesté,” “incitement to class struggle” and “high treason.”

She paid the highest price with her life: Rosa Luxemburg was murdered in January 1919 by political enemies who later sympathized with the NSDAP. Whether and to what extent Luxemburg’s work was democratically oriented is still disputed today; she is mainly revered by representatives of left-wing movements.

Book tip: Rosa Luxemburg: A Life (Ernst Piper)

#6 Frida Kahlo

July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954

Frida Kahlo / Author: Guillermo Kahlo / Wikimedia

The Mexican Frida Kahlo, whose full name was Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón, is one of the most important painters of the 20th century. Her works are mainly located in Surrealism, with which, however, she did not identify herself throughout her life.

This is exactly what is so special about her: According to art connoisseurs, Frida Kahlo created her own style, which is composed of naturalistic and typically Mexican elements. Frida Kahlo’s sense of fashion was also striking; she staged herself in self-portraits with colorful clothing and jewelry. To this day, the beautiful woman with the remarkable eyebrow is considered a role model for female self-determination, creativity and autonomy.

Book tip: Kahlo (Andrea Kettenmann)

#7 Simone de Beauvoir

January 9, 1908 – April 14, 1986

Simone de Beauvoir / Author: Moshe Milner / Wikimedia (Link: https://bit.ly/3ZHPYpz)

She is considered one of the most famous and successful writers, feminists and philosophers: Simone de Beauvoir created a life’s work that strengthened the women’s movement worldwide. Her book “The Other Sex,” published in 1949, is considered a milestone of modern feminism; even then, it led to admiration, but also to resistance.

In 1970, she founded the Mouvement de Libération des Femmes, a feminist movement that still campaigns for equal rights for women today. Simone de Beauvoir was also a famous author, writing novels, essays, novellas and memoirs. In her private life, she was involved with the successful multitalented Jean-Paul Sartre.

Book tip: Simone de Beauvoir: A Modern Life | The first comprehensive biography of the great philosopher (Kate Kirkpatrick)

#8 Marilyn Monroe

June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962

marilyn-monroe-weltfrauentag — Marilyn Monroe / Author: MARIOLA GROBELSKA / Unsplash

The U.S. film actress thrilled millions of viewers beyond the borders of the United States. Marilyn Monroe began her dazzling career as a photo model and extra. Smaller film roles followed until she celebrated her first successes as an actress in the early 1950s. Her star shone so brightly in Hollywood that film studios began to court the blonde beauty.

But Monroe’s life also had dark shadows: Three failed marriages, several miscarriages, addiction to pills. The film industry, on the other hand, liked to see her as the naive blonde, which was abhorrent to the strong woman, as Monroe showed in a clear, feminist stance. She is thus considered a woman who knew how to assert herself in the film industry despite the male-dominated, sexist image of women at the time, which continues to inspire today.

Book tip: My Story (Marilyn Monroe)

#9 Anne Frank

June 12, 1929 – March 1945

anne-frank-weltfrauentag — Anne Frank lacht naar de schoolfotograaf / Author: Unbekannt / Wikimedia

Annelies Marie Frank, her full name, was a girl of Jewish descent who was murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. Anne’s family had tried to escape the Nazi terror in Germany by fleeing to the Netherlands. Here Anne Frank lived with her parents and sister Margot in a hiding place in Amsterdam. For more than two years they were not allowed to leave the hiding place, had to be quiet, lived like ghosts.

It was an almost unbearable situation, which – contrary to the hopes of the time – led to a bad end. After the Gestapo learned about the hiding place, Anne Frank, her mother and her sister were sent to several concentration camps, where they suffered from catastrophic hygienic conditions. Finally, they died in 1945 due to the brutal, inhumane treatment of the Nazis.

As the sole survivor of the family, father Otto Frank preserved Anne Frank’s diary and shared it with the public. In it, Anne wrote about her time in hiding in the Netherlands.

Book tip: Diary (Anne Frank)

#10 Michelle Obama

January 17, 1964

michelle-obama-weltfrauentag — Michelle Obama / Author: Joyce N. Boghosian, White House Photographer / Wikimedia (Link: https://bit.ly/3mveGvb)

Michelle Obama is known to most people as the wife of former President Barack Obama. But this role alone does not do her justice. As First Lady, she presided over numerous charitable organizations, helped out in soup kitchens in the USA and was always committed to the weakest in society. In addition, she remains committed to the education of women and girls to this day, for example with the Girls Opportunity Alliance.

After her time as First Lady of the United States, she wrote her memoirs, which sold over 10 million copies worldwide. She gained further notoriety with the Netflix documentaries Becoming and American Factory. In addition, Michelle Obama is considered a fashion icon who also advocates the importance of healthy eating. A real power woman who still has a positive influence on world affairs today!

Book tip: BECOMING: My Story (Michelle Obama)

A warm greeting to the women of the present day

International Women’s Day is meant for every woman on this planet. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to send a warm greeting to you, dear women. We wish you all the best and us all a future in which gender equality has become a matter of course – not only on Women’s Day, but also on every other day of the year. In keeping with this year’s motto: #EmbraceEquity!

Tip: Want to support International Women’s Day on social media? Then remember to use the hashtags #EmbraceEquity, #WorldWomensDay and #IWD in your posts!

How much child benefit will there be in 2023?

Until the end of 2022, child benefit was increased in stages per child. It started at 219 euros for one child:

As of 01.01.2023, parents receive the same amount of child benefit, regardless of how many children they have. Your parents will therefore receive 250 euros per month for each child:

This means that it no longer matters whether or how many siblings you have. Since the beginning of the year, there is a rate of 250 euros for each child.

Until when do I get child benefit?

Actually, child benefit is only paid until the child’s 18th birthday. However, under certain circumstances, child benefit can be paid until the 25th birthday. One of these circumstances is that you are in initial education, which includes initial studies.

Thus, you are entitled to child benefit until your 25th birthday if you are studying for the first time. However, your parents need proof that you are actually studying, e.g. regular enrollment certificates from the respective semester. Your parents can upload this proof online via the Familienkasse.

Tip: Child benefit can also be granted if you are in a secondary education or a secondary course of study. In this case, the state primarily looks at how much work is done on the side. If this is more than 20 hours per week, there could be difficulties with the approval of child benefits.

You can find more exceptions and conditions for side jobs in connection with child benefit in the following section “Child benefit and side jobs”.

Child benefit and part-time jobs: You must pay attention to this

If you work in a marginal job to earn money in addition to your studies, this does not affect your child benefit. This includes, for example, mini-jobs where you earn a maximum of 450 euros per month. Short-term jobs such as one-time promo jobs are also generally unproblematic.

As a rule of thumb, you can remember that the average weekly working time of a part-time job should not exceed 20 hours.

Article tip:Earning money as a student: 10 creative ways

There is also income that basically does not affect the child benefit:

Dual or part-time studies
Legal clerkship (as preparation for the 2nd state examination in law and for teacher training)
Internships or traineeships accompanying studies

The year of recognition for educators, a training relationship according to the Vocational Training Act and a service relationship with civil servant candidates or professional soldiers are also considered exceptions that do not affect child benefits.

Child benefit & BAföG: Can they go together?

Child benefit and BAföG have nothing to do with each other. Child benefit is earmarked for a specific purpose; you do not even have to state that you receive child benefit on your BAföG application.

For the approval and the rate of BAföG, a completely different factor is decisive: the income of your parents. If your parents’ income exceeds a certain amount, they have to pay for your living expenses, otherwise you are entitled to BAföG – with or without child benefit, it doesn’t matter.

Child benefit while studying abroad

You are still entitled to child benefit if your stay abroad is a short one. This refers to stays abroad with a maximum duration of 12 months. In this case, the state assumes that you will remain resident in Germany.

If you study abroad for a longer period of time, you only have a chance to receive child benefits, provided that you reside with your parents. However, you would have to prove that you actually use the apartment or the house of your parents for living. It is not sufficient to state your address as your residence; you must be able to prove that you spend more than 50% of your study-free time with your parents.

Are my parents allowed to keep the child benefit?

Your parents are obliged to support you until you have completed your first professional training, e.g. a course of study. They must therefore ensure that you receive enough money from them to cover your daily living expenses. The amount of child support is calculated according to the income of your parents, the yardstick for this is the so-called Düsseldorfer Tabelle.

The child support is counted towards the support of your parents, i.e. your parents are obliged to pay you support as so-called cash support including child support in the full amount. If this does not work, you can apply for a diversion in order to receive the child benefit directly on your account.

Tip: The rules for alimony and child support are complex, so if you have any questions, contact an advice center or a lawyer who specializes in this area.

#1 Visualize

You’ve probably heard the saying “I have to be able to visualize it”, or you’ve said it yourself. Many people learn better through pictures and/or graphical representations than through text, yet most knowledge is conveyed in writing even in times of digitalization. But written words are nothing else for our head than abstract symbols strung together, which it tries to interpret. But the brain thinks much better in pictures.

You “translate” a text, e.g. an essay, into your own visual language. This is not about aesthetics, but about drawing visual crutches through which knowledge is better remembered. Therefore, visualizations are a helpful and effective learning method.

Historical facts, for example, can be drawn as a timeline, and you can visualize statistics with diagrams in a way that is clearer and easier for you to understand.

This is how you implement the learning method: Draw facts that you want to learn. In chemistry, for example, this can be molecular chains for illustration. If you are studying civil engineering, you will necessarily have to draw static constructions. Sometimes pictures are created in our mind’s eye that have little or nothing to do with the actual fact. But if they help you remember a fact, wonderful! Draw them and memorize them well. If you then call up the picture in your mind, the associated fact will come to mind much more easily.

It is also a good idea to draw symbols that are found in the learning text. You can also use geometric shapes such as overlapping circles, triangles, etc., whatever comes to mind. The trick to visualizing is that you are working creatively, increasing your ability to remember. You help your brain to remember the content better.

#2 Build mnemonic bridges

Mnemonic bridges form strong links that remain in the memory for a long time. They are therefore an ideal, creative learning method. Mnemonic bridges are small detours that you take mentally in order to remember facts better. You can also imagine a mnemonic as a crutch for your memory.

This is how you implement the learning method: The most important thing with mnemonic devices is that you create a mnemonic that is easier to remember than the actual learning material.

For example: You want to remember the 9 amino acids that are essential for humans. These acids are tryptophan, threonine, phenylalanine, valine, histidine, lsysine, isoleucine, methionine and histidine. Not particularly easy terms, are they? Here’s what you can make of it with a mnemonic: Torsten and Theresa plan various hours, for listening to independent mentors and helpers.

Does such a sentence completely replace learning? No, as I said, it is only a support, its initial letters are reminders for you to better remember the amino acids you have learned in the exam.

#3 Summarize the material

In the method of summarizing, it is crucial that you separate the important from the unimportant. Scientific literature can sometimes be voluminous, and not every lecturer succeeds in condensing the really important points. For you this offers a chance to deepen your knowledge and to store it effectively with this learning method.

You steam the learning material to essential key points, which you write down on paper. You pull together learning scripts, scientific texts, documents from lectures, exercise scripts, etc. and extract those key points that are relevant to the exam.

Important and honestly exhausting with this learning method is to separate the important from the unimportant information. You can use older exams as a guide for this. Also, talk to your fellow students to find out what information they consider relevant.

This is how you implement the learning method: Don’t just read the material, write down the most important points by hand. In this way, you actively engage with the material. Your brain doesn’t just passively consume the material, but is encouraged to actively engage with it. In this way, you will also quickly notice whether you have actually understood the material.

Tip: You can write the bullet points on a laptop, tablet or smartphone, but the learning material is better memorized if you write them down by hand.

Once you have written down the key points, imagine that you have to give a lecture on the topic. All you have are your bullet points. Give the lecture aloud at home and you will quickly find out where you still lack knowledge. Look up this missing knowledge specifically and then complete your bullet points. Repeat this method of summarizing until you can speak confidently and confidently about the topic even without notes.

#4 Reading and Marking

For this learning method, you’ll need three highlighters in different colors.

Red highlighter: very important content
Yellow highlighter: important content
Green highlighter: good to know, but not very relevant

This is how you implement the learning method: First read the text you want to learn from completely. Then read it a second time and mark the text passages according to the principle of the colors given above. Do this intuitively and without much thought, but at the same time be sparing with the use of highlighters. A document that is too colorful is more likely to inhibit learning than to promote it.

Put the text away for a few hours and then read the marked passages again. Make notes on the text passages if you feel that this will help you to remember the information better.

Tip: You can also compile keywords and key points from Reading & Marking in a mind map. You can find out how to do this in the section on the mind map learning method below.

#5 SQR3 Method

SQR3 is an abbreviation for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. The method is suitable for summarizing extensive learning texts. We will start from one text for the explanation, but you can learn several texts in a row with this method.

This is how you implement the learning method: Let’s briefly go through the individual steps:

#1 Survey

In this first step you do not read the text completely, but you get a rough overview. Scientific texts follow a logical structure, which you take advantage of here. You skim the table of contents, chapter headings, and summaries such as the conclusion.

#2 Question

Ask yourself why you are reading the text. Sound funny? The point is that you’re not just reading through the text, you’re pulling the information from it that is relevant to the exam. Imagine that the text is an interlocutor who is supposed to answer questions for you, and write down those questions, such as:

What information do you expect to get from reading it?

What is the main message of the text and how will it help you with your (upcoming) exam?

#3 Read

With the questions from step #2, you have symbolically put on reading glasses with which you now read the text, focusing on answering the questions you wrote down specifically and in writing. Also, write yourself marginal notes on the text if they seem useful to you in order to reinforce the key messages.

#4 Recite

In this step, you will summarize your answers and notes. The rule here is not to simply copy, but to form new sentences and to shorten them rigorously. This is tiring, but it helps your brain form new connections that are even more memorable.

#5 Review

Read through the summarized notes and match them with the questions from step #2. Were these questions answered sufficiently and satisfactorily?

Most excitingly, can you connect the insights you gained from the text to existing knowledge? If you succeed in doing this, you will automatically create new mnemonic connections, which will help to consolidate the material even better in your mind.

#6 Draw Mind Maps

Mind maps are ingenious maps for your memory. With them, you combine the learning methods of visualization and summarization into one effective learning technique. Mind maps are graphical, map-like representations of thoughts, facts, contexts, etc. The individual information components of a mind map are connected with lines and/or arrows. In this way, topic clusters can be created that are easier to memorize than mere bullet points on paper.

This is how you implement the learning method: Mind maps can be created both by hand and on a PC, tablet or smartphone. For the analog version, we recommend a large sheet of paper (at least A4, better A3) and different colored pens. Digital mind maps can be created excellently with free tools such as the basic version of Miro or with XMind.

Article Tip: These tools & services are free for students

Whichever version you choose: Start your mind map with the central point in the middle. For example, the topic you want to learn, such as the principle of “photosynthesis”.

#7 Read notes aloud

Reading your notes or learning content out loud is one of the most effective learning methods. By repeating the content not only mentally, but also in the form of speech, you stimulate multiple areas of your brain. You can also turn on a voice recorder or your smartphone’s voice recording app to listen to what you’re reading later for reinforcement.

This is how you implement the learning method: Collect your notes or bullet points and find a quiet, undisturbed place. Now read the notes aloud. Focus on the content, not on whether you read quickly or without stumbling. It is much more important that you grasp the information as you read aloud. That way, you’ll remember it for a longer period of time. Some people swear by this method of learning to play the recordings when they fall asleep, so that they can store the knowledge while they sleep.

#8 Use flashcards

Flashcards are the classic learning method, and still highly effective. Especially for the memorization in the long-term memory, learning with flashcards is said to be particularly practical. Use a system with a card index box. The 5-slot system has proven itself here. Each subject stands for the learning frequency, i.e. how often you pick up a card and repeat the material on it.

Tray 1: Repeat flashcards every day
Tray 2: flashcards are repeated every other day
Tray 3: Flashcards are repeated once a week.
Tray 4: Flashcards are repeated once a month
Tray 5: Flashcards are repeated shortly before the exam (1-2 days before)

This is how you implement the study method: Get flashcards and a flashcard box. Ready-made learning sets are available for this purpose. Now label the individual cards with questions about the subject matter. The answer to the question is the content to be learned, which can be found on the back of the index card. If you succeed in answering the question correctly, the index card moves to the back, subject by subject. At the end of this learning method, all flashcards are ideally in tray #5 and the learning material has migrated into your long-term memory through constant repetition.

#9 Do e-learning

At the latest since Corona, e-learning has become a matter of course. In the meantime, there are a number of online courses with which you can deepen your knowledge. A great advantage of e-learning is that you can learn exactly when it suits you. Whether it’s during the day or at night, at the weekend or during the week, it doesn’t matter. Tests and mock exams are helpful interactive ways to take full advantage of this learning method.

Here’s how to implement the study method: Check out e-learning options online and at your college. Most universities offer free, in-house e-learning courses and downloadable learning materials. You’ll also find private providers quickly with a simple Google search. Look for student discounts and rates. When you book courses, stick to the learning stages provided so that you reach your goal quickly and efficiently with this learning method.

#10 Learn in a group

Alone in a quiet room, the ceiling quickly falls on your head. Learning together is often better and more effective. You can also act out exam situations in which you slip into different roles. For example, a fellow student takes on the role of the examiner and questions your knowledge. This social training is particularly helpful in preparing for oral exams, for example, to reduce test anxiety.

Article tip: Exam anxiety: How to get them under control

In addition, all members of a learning group benefit from the synergy effect: everyone contributes their know-how to the group, so that questions that arise are answered quickly and learning gaps are closed.

This is how you implement the learning method: Talk to fellow students with whom you want to form a learning group. Make sure that you are at approximately the same level of knowledge. In addition, the group should have a maximum of four members, otherwise there is a high risk of distraction and unrest. Arrange regular meetings (at least once a week) to review the material. During the learning sessions, write down everything that you want to deepen later at home with other learning methods (visualizing, reading aloud, etc.).

Which learning method is best?

There is no one perfect learning method that works for everyone. Find out what type of learner you are to find the right learning method for you. You can do this by trying several learning techniques – preferably all the ones we’ve listed here. Over time, you’ll notice which learning techniques stick with you the most. Combine the most effective learning methods for the best results. We wish you success in your exams!

Unusual gifts

#1 Experiences

Let’s face it: as a student, you’re always happy to receive a small gift of money, furnishings for your apartment, a laptop, and so on. But what if you want to give something as a gift? In your phase of life, money is often tight, so expensive gifts are out of the question. The solution: Give the gift of experiences! Time spent together is something precious and cannot be valued with money. That’s why you can bring your loved ones great joy by giving them experiences that don’t have to cost a lot.

Creative gift ideas for experiences:

Cooking night together – how about a warming chili, for example?
Cocktail tasting at your home, you can find great cocktail recipes here.
Go on a hike together that you organize
A mini-trip through nature with inexpensive means of transport – here you can find the most beautiful train routes in Germany
A city trip, how about a visit to the worth seeing cities Leipzig or Kaiserslautern for example?
Watching the starry sky/full moon together and having a picnic (especially suitable as a romantic experience gift)
A game or movie night, you make the selection in advance with a view to the favorite genres of the presentee

All these experience gifts can be something very special, if you put yourself in the organization. For example, for the joint cooking evening, it would be your job to take care of a recipe, the procurement of ingredients and the preparation. Check out our blog for delicious, healthy recipes. Be sure to check out our atumn recipes, too!

Tip: Create a visually appealing coupon and print it out. There are plenty of templates for this on the internet.

#2 Unique artwork

On internet platforms like Etsy, artists offer their work for sale. The offer ranges from multiple prints to unique pieces that are not available anywhere else in the world. Especially for up-and-coming artists, these one-of-a-kind pieces are usually inexpensive.

And isn’t it a cool idea that a unique piece purchased cheaply today and given away as a gift could be worth a lot in a few years? Provided the artist has a breakthrough, of course. But just the possibility and the individual art itself have their appeal. In addition to paintings, you can buy earrings, water bottles, pillows, key chains, tea light messages, etc. online in unique designs.

#3 Five-year diary

With such a book, the gift recipient answers the familiar question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” once in reverse: “How have I spent the last 5 years?”. This diary is an exciting journey to oneself. With it, the presentee documents day by day how his or her own life is developing. The five-year diaries are available to buy online from various suppliers with a wide variety of designs. And one thing is certain: opened every day and writing in it, this gift will remain in the memory for a long time.

Sustainable gifts

#1 A piece of forest

By giving a piece of forest or a tree as a gift, you are making a contribution to nature conservation – and the gift is original to boot. For example, the NABU Foundation offers a primeval forest sponsorship as a gift. It costs the giver 10 euros a month. In this way, one hectare of nature reserve in Brandenburg is protected. The support also ensures that the forest areas can be developed and running costs can be paid.

Article tip: Living sustainably as a student: 8 tips for everyday life

With providers like Planet Tree, you can give the gift of a tree sponsorship. The tree is planted as a seedling within the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Forest and raised by the forestry office. You will receive a certificate as a PDF or a printed certificate in paper format, whichever you prefer. Planet Tree is committed to planting trees in Germany in order to sustainably promote and support the preservation of forests in this country.

#2 Coffee-to-go cup (reusable)

Plastic pollutes our oceans, rivers, meadows and forests. Humans and animals also have to contend with plastics, as they enter our organisms through food. In recent years, disposable coffee-to-go cups have come into a particularly bad light. Due to their mass production and sometimes incorrect disposal, they have become a real nuisance.

You can counteract this by giving away sustainable coffee-to-go cups. These are reusable cups that are integrated into a deposit system. This means you can visit several cafés with one cup and have your favorite coffee refilled there. Successful companies in this area include reCup, but you can also get sustainable coffee-to-go cups from suppliers such as Avocadostore or green your life.

#3 Bee sponsorship

Bees are extremely important to our ecosystem. It’s all the sadder that the worldwide bee die-off continues due to globalization, industrialization, modern agriculture, etc. In the meantime, half of the wild bee species living in Germany are considered endangered. With a bee sponsorship you do something for these valuable insects and at the same time implement one of the most creative gift ideas for Christmas.

With a bee sponsorship you support local beekeepers, for example in the pollination of important wild and useful plants. In addition, you promote the care and protection of bee colonies. Popular providers of bee sponsorships include Bienenretter and Mellifera e.V.

Homemade gifts

#1 Flavored salt

Salt can be enhanced with great flavors. In addition, the production of flavored salts is cheap and easy. We recommend coarse salt for use, as it releases the flavors intensely when ground in a spice grinder.

Recipe for a delicious chili rosemary salt:

For 200 g of flavored salt, you’ll need about one stalk of rosemary and one chili pepper. Finely chop the fresh rosemary stalk and the chili. Mix both together and let dry on cutting board for 15 minutes. Pour mixture into jar, add salt and mix vigorously. Label the jar. Done!

Tip: There are no limits to your imagination when making flavored salt. However, make sure to combine flavors that harmonize with each other. For example, a lavender chocolate flake fennel salt might excite a gourmet or two, but most people are unlikely to be fond of this combination.

#2 Edible oil

Another very simple and creative gift idea for Christmas is flavored cooking oil. You’ll need an oil like olive oil for this. When buying the oil, make sure it is high quality, ideally it is an organic oil. It may cost a bit more, but it tastes much better than most cheap oils.

Speaking of taste, before you decide to use an oil for your gift, do the taste test yourself in advance. Some oils taste bitter; for your own aromatic oil, oils with a subtle or slightly nutty taste are better suited.

Recipe for a tasty herb oil:

For 500 ml of herb oil, you’ll need a clean bottle, 4 sprigs of rosemary, 3 sprigs of thyme, 3 bay leaves, 1 pinch of nutmeg, 3 cloves of garlic, and 2 fresh chili peppers. Cut the sprigs of herbs to fit into a 500 ml bottle. Skin the garlic cloves, crush them gently and add them to the bottle along with the herb sprigs. Cut the chili peppers into fine strips and add the strips to the bottle. Fill the herb-chili mixture with the olive oil and close the bottle. Done! The oil was perfect for marinating meat and fish, as well as a dressing for salads or snacks.

Tip: Ideally, prepare the oil 3-4 days before giving it as a gift. This way it has enough time to absorb all the flavors.

#3 Chat book

WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal & Co.: Through messengers, we share loving and funny messages, vacation photos, inspiring quotes, etc. every day. But over time, these precious memories disappear somewhere in the feed, where we can no longer find them again. With a chat book, you bring out those memories again, and in an extraordinary, tangible form. The chat book is therefore one of those creative gift ideas for Christmas that have an invaluable sentimental value. Videos can also be played via the chat book, and thanks to QR codes, the presentee has the opportunity to dive into these beautiful memories at any time. Well-known providers for chat books are Zapptales or Chatprint.

#1 Accept what is

The long queue at the supermarket checkout, the late bus, dead spots that always appear just when you’re talking to a good friend on the phone: There are plenty of opportunities to get annoyed in everyday life. But do you have to use every one of them? By doing so, you rob yourself of satisfaction. What happens, happens and we can control little of it. But you can decide each time how you feel about a certain situation and what you will do with it.

The long line at the supermarket checkout gives you the opportunity to finally respond to chat messages, something you’ve been meaning to do for days. The delay of the bus allows you to look at a café near the bus stop that you’ve been interested in for a long time. And if there are cell phone problems, it would be a good opportunity to be aware of your surroundings. Maybe take a walk through the park and call your friend later when you’re home in peace?

We often react automatically to stimuli from our environment. But there is a gap in our consciousness between stimulus and response that we can train to choose a new response. For this, you need one important quality.

#2 Live mindfulness

Mindfulness is one of those buzzwords that has flooded social media and lifestyle blogs in recent years. But the principle of mindfulness is valuable and thousands of years old. The more mindful you are, the more you live in the here and now. As a result, you worry less about the future, are more balanced, and have more freedom of action. You are much more aware and free to choose what thoughts, feelings, and actions to react with when faced with stimuli from the outside world.
You achieve mindfulness through regular self-observation, preferably on a daily basis. Meditation is an ideal tool for this.

The more regularly you meditate, the more your mindfulness will increase, which will provide more satisfaction in everyday life.

#3 Practice gratitude

In our society, gratitude is not very popular. The trend is much more to focus on grievances and problems.
Gratitude is not about turning a blind eye to crises and problems. Here we are again at point #1: Accepting what is. With gratitude, you go one crucial step further: instead of always reacting, you actively put yourself in a better mood by focusing your attention on the positive things you can be grateful for.
Think there’s nothing in your life to be grateful for?

You could be grateful for that:

You live in a country where you can move freely.
You can make yourself a fresh, delicious coffee or tea every morning.
You can study and have a professional perspective.
You can go for a walk and enjoy the sun’s rays and the fresh air.

You can feel gratitude for everything that is good in your life. It doesn’t need a religious context, it’s about consciously enjoying what is.

When you first start doing this, it can feel a bit unfamiliar to be grateful. That’s because most of us have never cultivated gratitude. We have to exercise it like a muscle to feel the positive effects for greater satisfaction. But: Numerous studies have proven the connection between gratitude and satisfaction – so it pays to be grateful every day.

#4 Eat healthy

Sure, everyday life is hectic and sometimes there is little time to cook. Still, it’s important to eat healthy so you feel good about yourself. Healthy food is a crucial factor for satisfaction. Here you will find 5 easy & healthy recipes for students. They are cheap, make you happy and are quick as well as easy to cook – promise!

#5 Exercise

Exercise helps to reduce stress and promote your own happiness. In our modern world, we sit a lot – too much. Instead, we need exercise. But of course, we also know that the gym subscription is used far too rarely.

So how about sports that you can easily integrate into everyday life? In the Corona era, many people have learned to exercise at home. There are plenty of online courses and apps that you can use to keep fit in your own four walls.

Or you can run a lap around the block in your jogging clothes. It’s also quick to hop on your bike or jump rope in a nearby park.

Tip: Combine exercise with relaxation exercises afterwards to calm down and increase your happiness.

#6 Get enough sleep

There is a wise motto for productivity: the success of the next day is decided the night before. In other words, if you make sure you get enough healthy sleep at night, you’ll have plenty of energy for the next day. Sleep research concludes that seven to eight hours of sleep is sufficient for a healthy adult.

These sleep tips will help you for a healthy sleep:

Avoid screens (laptop, smartphone, TV) one hour before bed to rest your eyes and brain
Do not eat meals after 6 p.m. to ease the burden on the digestive system
Avoid or reduce nicotine and alcohol
Avoid caffeine (e.g. in coffee) after 4 p.m.
Set a fixed bedtime that the body can get used to (e.g. 10 p.m.)
Keep the room dark, for example with blinds or curtains
Incorporate plenty of exercise into your day to help you get a good night’s sleep, ideally through sports

The better you sleep, the more satisfaction you will experience in your daily life.

#7 Maintain relationships

During Corona time, many of us felt the importance of relationships. As social beings, we need interaction and exchange with other people to stay healthy. Fulfilling relationships, whether partnerships, friendships, or relationships with family, are an important pillar for our satisfaction.
Fortunately, we can now get back to nurturing our relationships, dating, going to the movies, hosting parties, etc. Be sure to use these opportunities to bring contentment into your life.

Article Tips: Are you new to the city and haven’t built relationships locally yet? Then read our article “10 tips for finding friends in a new city” now! Here you’ll find inspiration on what to do with your friends in the run-up to Christmas.

#8 Travel

Sometimes it just has to be the old familiar change of scenery. Travel not only educates, it also provides plenty of variety and excitement. Get away from it all by setting out to experience new places, cultures and people. Travel doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Here’s how you can travel on the cheap as a student. Discover the most beautiful routes by train across Germany in another article. Traveling will give you more satisfaction in your everyday life through the many impressions and encounters.

#9 Stop comparing yourself

We often look at what other people have achieved, or whether they are more satisfied than we are. And just as often, we create a distorted image of these people. This is clearly illustrated by the example of celebrities who seem to have everything: success, wealth, recognition. But behind the scenes, things are often quite different. Every person has their ups and downs, their joys and problems.

Comparing ourselves with others throws us off balance: Either we become arrogant because the person we are comparing ourselves with is worse off than we are. Or we feel small, even develop envy, because we feel unfairly treated by life. Both are poison for contentment, which is why you should stop comparing yourself. Observe yourself in everyday life how quickly such comparison happens. When you notice it, take your mind off it and ask yourself, for example:

What can I be grateful for here and now?

This goes along the lines of tip #3 in this article. By focusing on gratitude, you immediately interrupt the downward comparison thoughts and engage in something positive. The result: you’ll immediately feel better and sense contentment.

#10 Solution-oriented thinking

The brain is an ingenious organ that has been programmed over millions of years of evolution to solve problems. Unfortunately, this mechanism, which was essential for survival in earlier times, has a catch: our minds are constantly looking for problems. If we focus only on these, it paralyzes us and creates a feeling of powerlessness. It is much better to think in a solution-oriented way and thus tap into our own creative potential. Similar to gratitude, this works especially well via questions.

Instead of being afraid of the exam, ask yourself: What can I do to get my exam anxiety under control?
Instead of complaining about a lack of money, ask yourself: What exciting part-time jobs are available for students?
Instead of despairing about your choice of degree program, ask yourself: Which study program suits me?

Such an active approach to problems ensures that you always remain capable of taking action. Instead of feeling powerless and at the mercy of situations, you feel your own self-efficacy and repeatedly experience that you can solve problems. This provides a sense of autonomy and thus deep satisfaction.

#1 Kakadu Karaoke Bar

Kakadu is a delightfully quirky karaoke club in the center of the city. The club is open every night from 9pm to 3am. And don’t worry: you don’t have to be a singing genius to get up on stage. The fun in the Kakadu lies precisely in the fact that everyone is allowed on the microphone here and relaxed partying. So for fun nightlife with friends or a creative date, Kakadu is the place to be!

Address: Roßpl. 4, 04103 Leipzig

#2 Bavarian Station

If the disused portico on Bayerischer Platz seems a bit strange, you might be interested in the interesting history behind it. From 1842, the station was operated, first by the Sächsisch-Bayerische Eisenbahn-Compagnie. Today, Portikus is a monument to transportation history that can be marveled at on site.

Tip: The Bayerischer Bahnhof brewery is located directly at Portikus. In addition to hearty meals, you’ll be served home-brewed beer here. In summer, a wonderful, Bavarian-inspired beer garden invites you to relax.

Address: Bayrischer Platz 1, 04103 Leipzig

#3 White Elster / Canals

In Leipzig you can experience fantastic canal tours, either on a guided tour or with your own kayak/canoe. There are rental stations at several places in Leipzig where you can rent stand-up paddles, for example. The canals in Leipzig are also connected to the Waldsee Lauer and the Cospudener See. We recommend you to start the tour on the Elster flood basin in the Clara Zetkin Park.

Walk or ride your bike from this location south along Max-Reger-Allee. This is a wide avenue in the middle of the Clara Zetkin Park, which is mainly populated by pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, as you pass through the avenue, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Elster River flood bed to your right.

After a few minutes you will see the first boat rentals, two alone at the Scheibenholz racecourse and one at the Pleiße riverbed where the Elster and Pleiße split. From there, the exciting boat tour can start!

Tip: Other highlights for boat tours are the Terrace House in Plagwitz, the Karl Heine Canal, the Stilt House and the Palmgarten Weir. If you want to go even further out, you can row on to the Saale River, though paddling experience and the use of a water map is recommended for this.

#4 Weekly Markets

Weekly markets are a great opportunity to get to know the flair of this special city and to buy regional and seasonal specialties. Of course, you’ll find cheese and sausage stands as well as the classic greengrocer. Craftsmanship is also represented at the weekly markets.

These are the most popular weekly markets in Leipzig:

Bayrischer Platz (Wednesday and Friday 09:00 to 17:00)
Innenstadt / Marktplatz or Augustusplatz (Tuesday and Friday 09:00 to 17:00)
Lindenauer Markt (Wednesday and Friday 09:00 to 16:00)

#5 Panometer

For almost 20 years, the German-Iranian artist Yadegar Asisi has been presenting an exhibition of a special kind: inside the Panometer, visitors can see a huge panoramic image that spans the interior walls. Originally, the Panometer was a gasometer until it was shut down in 1977; Asisi gave the building its characteristic name with the artificial word Panometer.

From Everest to the Battle of Leipzig to the Great Barrier Reef and New York 9/11, the artist devotes himself to a wide variety of topics, which is why it’s always worth paying the Panometer a visit.

Address: Richard-Lehmann-Strasse 114, 04275 Leipzig, Germany.

More tips from our blog

We hope you enjoy exploring this lively Saxon metropolis! Also check out our other helpful articles in our blog:

Autumn is here and with it many delicacies that belong on the table. We present the best autumn recipes for you to try!

#1 Spaghetti squash with (vegan) bacon

Here comes the perfect blend of fall vegetables and hearty ingredients. If you’ve never heard of spaghetti squash, you should definitely give it a try. Spaghetti squash gets its name from the fact that when it’s cooked, the flesh comes out of the inside of the squash in the form of fine, spaghetti-like strands. Delicious! And a completely different way to eat “noodles”.

Note: For this recipe you need an electrically operated mini oven, most entry-level models cost under 40 euros.

Spaghetti-Kuerbis_mit_veganem_Speck_Herbstrezepte

Ingredients for 2 people

1 large spaghetti squash
250 g minced meat (beef or vegan)
1 shallot
1 small clove of garlic
1 small piece of ginger
120 g butter
1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
200 g tomatoes, chunky
1/2 tsp oregano, dried
1/2 tsp rosemary, dried
1/2 tsp thyme, dried
1/2 pinch salt
1/2 pinch pepper
25 g parmesan

Preparation

Take butter out of the refrigerator to soften. Preheat mini oven to 180 degrees top and bottom heat or 160 degrees convection.

Roll out baking paper on baking sheet. Cut pumpkin into two halves, place the two halves with the lower cut side on the baking sheet. Add a little cold water, and bake the two halves of the pumpkin in the mini oven for 40 minutes.

Chop shallot and ginger. Cut tomatoes into quarters. Heat a small amount of butter in the pan and fry the shallot and ginger pieces until translucent. Then add ground beef and fry until crumbly. Add chopped tomatoes. Squeeze garlic clove and mix everything together with herbs, spices and remaining butter. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.

Take the two halves of the squash out of the mini oven and turn them over on the baking sheet. Using a fork, pull the spaghetti strands out of the squash halves, but leave them in the squash. Pour Bolognese into both squash halves and sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve squash halves on plates and season with salt and pepper if necessary.

#2 Potato soup with kale

Soups warm from the inside out and are thus simply a firm part of autumn. Potatoes and kale are also real energy and vital substance bombs. So don’t miss out on this delicious meal!

Kartoffelsuppe_mit_Gruenkohl_Herbstrezepte

Ingredients for 2 people

200g kale (fresh or frozen)
250 g potatoes, firm boiled
400 ml vegetable broth
1 clove of garlic
1 onion
1 tablespoon paprika powder (hot red)
1 pinch salt

Preparation

Bring some salted water to boil in pot. Meanwhile, wash kale and cut into strips (if fresh and not frozen).

Wash potatoes, peel, dice and put in cold water. Peel garlic and onions, chop into fine pieces. Put into pot with boiling salted water and steam briefly. Add potato cubes, add broth, season with paprika powder and simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes.

Puree soup, add kale except for a few leaves and continue cooking on low heat for about 20 minutes. Garnish soup with remaining kale leaves and serve.

#3 Mushroom casserole (without oven)

Whether chestnuts, porcini or chanterelles, mushrooms are simply delicious and become even more delicious when baked in the oven. Best of all, you don’t even need an oven for this casserole! With this recipe you can easily prepare this delicious meal in the pan.

Ingredients for 2 people

350 g mushrooms (champignons and/or wild mushrooms)
100 g potatoes (firm boiled)
80 g leek
100 ml cream or crème fraîche
100 g grated cheese (Gouda, Emmental, Parmesan or similar)
70 ml milk
70 ml white wine
2 eggs
1 onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
1 small bunch of chives

Preparation

Peel onion and cut into fine rings. Heat butter in large frying pan and sauté onion rings. Add breadcrumbs and sauté.

Add mushrooms and sauté. Cut chives and leeks into fine rings and add to pan along with beaten eggs, stirring to coat. Turn pan to lowest heat and sprinkle grated cheese over mushroom-vegetable mixture. When cheese is well blended, ready to serve.

#4 Tarte flambée in the pan with goat cheese (without oven).

Flammkuchen has long been known and loved beyond Alsace. We add spicy goat cheese to this delicious recipe. Again, you don’t need an oven, just a covered pan.

Ingredients for 2 people

200 g flour
200 g crème fraîche or sour cream
110 ml water
100 g goat cheese
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
1 onion
1 piece of (vegan) bacon
basil leaves

Preparation

Cut the onions into fine rings.

Knead water, salt, oil and flour in a bowl to form a dough. Put a lid or plate on the bowl so that the dough can rise in it for 30 minutes. Then flour the work surface and roll out the dough. Cut dough into equal sized pieces (about 4).

Grease the pan and put the pieces into the pan little by little. Keep the pan closed. After about 5 minutes, the bottom side of each piece of tarte flambée will be cooked through. Check in between every now and then that the dough does not burn.

Turn the dough over and spread the browned side with crème fraîche or sour cream and top with onions. Let other side bake through as well for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle tarte flambée with goat cheese, garnish with basil leaves and serve.

Tip: You can also refine the tarte flambée with rosemary and autumn mushrooms to give it an additional delicious autumn note. Chestnuts or chestnuts cut into strips also make excellent ingredients.

#5 Juicy pear cake with cookie base (no baking)

What would a fall menu be without dessert? With this pear tart, you’ll bring a delicious dessert into your own home.

Ingredients for 1 cake

4 pears
250 g oat biscuits
230 g cream cheese
240 ml milk
80 g melted butter
100 g dark chocolate
50 g pear jam
2 egg yolks
80 g sugar
20 g flour
1 pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla

Preparation

Place oatmeal cookies in a bowl and crumble. Pour liquid butter over them and mix to form a dough. Pour dough into a cake pan and press down. Grate dark chocolate and spread evenly over dough.

Wash, dice and puree three pears.

Place milk, flour, egg yolks, salt, vanilla, pureed pears and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a brief boil, stirring evenly. Then allow to cool. Mix when on room temperature with the cream cheese and pear puree. Place in refrigerator for at least 7 hours.

Then take mixture out of refrigerator and spread evenly over dough. Wash remaining pear, cut into thin slices and garnish cake with them.

More tips from our blog

We hope you enjoy trying out these delicious fall recipes! Also check out our other helpful articles on our blog:

Earning money while studying is always a good idea. If you’re smart, you’ll look for a job that kills several birds with one stone: With a part-time job as a student, you can have a lot of fun, take your first career steps and earn money on top of it. We present you 10 suitable jobs!

#1 Statist

You always wanted to do something with film? Then try your hand at being a statist. As a statist, you are paid per day of shooting and spend many hours on set, often without the camera running. But you can use this time to talk to other people. Who knows: Maybe you’ll make some valuable contacts this way? What’s more, with this part-time job there’s always the chance of being discovered for film and television.

#2 Helping out in sales

Find out if you have a talent for sales with this part-time job. But don’t worry: You don’t have to be born with sales skills, they can be learned just like any other. And it pays off! Good salespeople are needed in every industry. In addition, you work with people, which makes this part-time job very lively and strengthens your communication skills.

#3 Copywriter

If you have a knack for text and language, this part-time job is perfect for you. Texts are mainly used on the Internet, for online stores, websites, blogs, for social media marketing, etc. You should therefore acquire skills that will make you indispensable as an online copywriter, such as writing for search engines (SEO). Search for jobs on relevant copywriting portals. If you successfully complete these, your name will quickly get around, which will bring even more and, above all, better paid jobs.

#4 Web designer

The Internet lives not only from texts, but also from photos, illustrations, etc. Web designers take care of designing websites so that they are appealing to the user. This is a lot of fun and can be learned, whether through online courses or learning by doing. The best way is a combination of both: learning the principles of design and then applying them to websites. Over time, you’ll improve and develop better and better designs. The result, similar to copywriting, is a good order book.

Tip: Videos are by far the most popular content on the web. If you’re interested in design, it’s a good idea to look into video production to expand your range of services.

#5 Nightwatchman

The night watchman is the classic student job, but it hasn’t lost any of its appeal. This job has a decisive advantage: you find time and peace to study. Of course, you must not neglect your actual task of guarding the premises or buildings. However, most of the time nothing will happen. This is time that you can use to make progress in your studies.

#6 Supervisor

I’m sure you’ve heard that there’s a nursing shortage in Germany. Skilled workers are desperately needed, but so are students who help out in a part-time job, such as a caregiver or household help. Whether as a child or senior citizen caregiver, you are engaged in an extremely meaningful and important occupation that is urgently needed in our society. Of course, this also includes activities such as babysitting. In all areas you take on great responsibility, which you will grow from.

#7 Animal Caregiver

Animals also need attention and care. As a pet sitter, you walk dogs, feed cats, or take care of budgies when their owners are on vacation. We think this is one of the best ways to earn money as a student. If you like animals, you’ll have a great time doing this.

#8 Tutor

Have you already successfully completed a few semesters in your studies? Then help first-year students learn the material! However, tutoring doesn’t have to be just about study content: Each of us can do something that another person wants to learn. If you’re an organizational whiz, teach others how to create daily schedules and keep things in order. Good with numbers and finances? Then show those around you how to keep a budget book. Tutoring in any form is one of the most effective ways to boost your financial coffers.

#9 Bartender

Whether it’s a hotel, bar or restaurant, the demand for staff is high in the hospitality industry. So, as a bartender, you have a good chance to earn money as a student. Plus, being able to mix delicious drinks is pretty cool, making you a magnet at parties.

The duration of a bartender training is manageable: If you put all your effort into it, for example during the semester break, you will be trained after about 3 weeks. If you complete the training alongside your studies, you can expect it to take about 3 months. Conclusion: Bartending is one of the hottest part-time jobs around.

#10 Own project

In our society, everything revolves around finding a job, whether it’s a part-time student job or a well-paid full-time job. But there is another way: earn money with your own project. This can be, for example, your own YouTube channel or your own online store.

Admittedly, it’s hard to set up your own business and earn money with it these days. But if you dare, you’ll seize the chance to become successful on your own. For example, if your own YouTube channel starts off well, you can feed it with more videos and let it grow step by step. In addition, no one talks you into your own project, you can determine 100% yourself. Isn’t that a great way to earn money as a student?

#1 Avoid standby

Close the laptop or turn off the TV with the remote control: It’s convenient, but devices in standby mode continue to consume power, and not in short supply. For example, an LCD TV consumes an average of 112 kWh per year. Depending on the electricity tariff and the number of devices in the household, this alone results in annual costs in the mid to high double digits.

Tip: Energy-saving power strips are a convenient way to save energy in the home: The strips automatically detect when you switch off a TV set using the remote control, for example. The power strip then cuts off the rest of the power supply and automatically avoids standby mode.

If you don’t want to spend money on energy-saving power strips, simply turn off devices such as TVs and laptops manually to save power.

#2 Heat properly

This may sound strange, but in fact there are many ways to make mistakes when heating: For example, a classic wrong heating behavior in the home is to turn up the heat full blast and have the window on tilt at the same time. Such a waste of energy is not only wasteful, but also really expensive.

With these tips, you’ll heat properly and save energy:

Keep the temperature in the room constant

Keep your apartment constantly warm, but at least at a temperature of 18 degrees, otherwise there is a risk of mold. The temperature can be measured with an indoor thermometer, which you can buy for a few euros.

Ventilate regularly

Generally avoid tilting windows during the cold season. Instead, ventilate intermittently and several times a day for 5 minutes. This will give you a regular boost of fresh air without unnecessary heat escaping from the rooms. This significantly reduces energy consumption.

Another advantage is that the moist air you breathe is drawn out, which successfully prevents mold growth. Turn off the heating while airing the room to save even more energy.

#3 Save energy when washing dishes

Every wash-up consumes water and energy. You can save energy by reducing the number of times you wash dishes. So instead of washing each cup individually, you can wash once in the evening and put the dishes in the sink until then. Soak cups, plates, etc. during the day to prevent unpleasant odors. This also prevents food residues from sticking to the dishes, which makes washing up easier.

Tip: Get a mini dishwasher for your household. Also known as tabletop dishwashers, they save energy and time. You don’t even need a water connection; they work with a fillable water tank.

#4 Save energy when cooking

There is a lot of energy that can be saved when cooking at home. These tips for reduced energy consumption are easy to implement:

Cook with a lid

When cooking in open pots, a lot of unused energy escapes. Therefore, as soon as the pasta is in the pot, put the lid on and let it simmer at a low heat setting. Of course, this is also recommended for other foods such as rice, vegetables, etc.

Article Tips: 5 Healthy Recipes for Students & Five Refreshing Trendy Recipes for Summer Drinks

Use a kettle for support

It often takes forever for the water in the pot to boil. Using the kettle not only speeds it up, you can save a lot of energy that way. Fill the pot with a small amount of water, about enough to cover a little more than the bottom of the pot with water. Then place the pot on the hot stove top and heat water in the kettle in parallel. When the water in the kettle is hot enough, add it to the water in the pot.

Use the residual heat of the hotplates

You can save a lot of energy in your household by using the residual heat of your hotplates. In our apartments, this works wonderfully with the Ceran double hobs, which still give off residual heat above 60 degrees even after they have been switched off. You can use this residual heat, for example, to heat up leftovers from the refrigerator or to finish cooking your pasta. Try it out! You’ll save a lot of energy with this forward-thinking cooking.

Use the microwave

When it comes to heating food quickly and reducing energy consumption, the microwave is the way to go. Plus, it’s also faster to heat food in the microwave than on the stove. And did you know that you can even bake cookies in the microwave? Find out how in this article: Meeting Friends: Ideas for Corona Time.

#5 Washing clothes in an energy-saving way

At the Staytoo Washing Lounge, you have the option to wash your clothes for a fee right in the apartment building and dry them with a dryer.

We recommend that you use the 40-degree wash program instead of the 60-degree wash program as often as possible, especially for lightly soiled laundry. The reason for this: 40-degree programs save on average almost half the electricity compared to a 40-degree wash cycle. In addition, use detergents in moderation so as not to pollute the environment unnecessarily.

Article tip: Sustainable living as a student: 8 tips for everyday life

#6 Take a short shower

A certain warm-shower mentality is also allowed in times of crisis. As recommended, for example, by our Minister of Economics in the form of lukewarm lightning showers. You kill several birds with one stone: short showers are healthier for your skin and hair than long showers, and you also save energy and time. Try getting used to cold showers, too, as they boost circulation.

#7 Save energy with the refrigerator

You can do a lot of things right with your fridge if you want to save energy. For example, the trick is to let cooked food cool completely before putting it in the fridge. Otherwise, your fridge will use an insane amount of energy to cool down the still warm food. Also, you should open the door of the refrigerator as rarely as possible. Every time you open and close it, heat is exchanged, and the fridge has to make up for it with energy consumption.
Other tips to save energy when using the refrigerator:

Leave space between foods: The cooling effect inside a refrigerator works through air circulation – heat is removed from foods, but only effectively if there is enough space between them.
Pay attention to optimal temperatures: The colder, the better? This is a misconception that eats up a lot of energy. 7 degrees Celsius is the optimal refrigerator temperature. Place a small thermometer in your refrigerator to measure the ideal temperature. It is best to place the thermometer on the upper level, as this is the warmest. It should be at least 7 degrees there.
Defrost the freezer regularly: You should defrost the icebox at least twice a year. In this way, you avoid a layer of ice that is several centimeters thick, which in turn saves energy. The more ice there is in the freezer compartment, the more energy is needed to keep it cold. Regular defrosting can save up to 45% energy.

#8 Consume more consciously

Spoiled food, electronic waste, unnecessary clothing purchases: In your own household, there are many ways to save energy by living more consciously. The production of goods consumes energy, as does their disposal. Therefore, we recommend you to develop a sustainable lifestyle, where you are mindful of your environment. In this article you will find some inspiration: Living sustainably as a student: 8 tips for everyday life.

#9 Conserve batteries

The more carefully you use the batteries of your laptop, tablet and smartphone, the less often you have to charge them and the lower the energy consumption. Logically, but many people don’t know how to draw less power from the battery and thus save energy.

Just about every device now has a power-saving mode. This usually reduces the biggest power guzzler, namely the screen brightness. In addition, the CPU’s performance is throttled so that the battery lasts longer. But don’t worry: nowadays, the power-saving mode on most devices is so effective that writing messages, surfing, video streaming and working still go without a hitch.

#10 Leave the car

Driving a car has become really expensive, especially during the crisis period. You can do many ways differently, for example, by bike or by train. This is one of the most effective ways to save energy. Especially on foot or by bike you move and do something good for your body.

#1 Produce less trash

Sometimes it’s effective to just leave things out – trash, for example, if you want to live more sustainably. Producing less trash goes a long way toward protecting the environment.

You can reduce the amount of trash in your everyday life by doing without disposable cups like the classic coffee-to-go cup, for example. Plastic food trays are also trash that is difficult to recycle. Instead, use sustainable reusable cups and reusable food trays. More and more cafés, snack bars and restaurants are participating in such sustainable systems.

This way you can also avoid waste in a sustainable way:

Shop in unpackaged stores
Buy fruit and vegetables in bulk, so you don’t need plastic bags from the supermarket.
Write a shopping list, so you avoid buying too much and throwing away food later on.
Buy good quality clothes, electrical appliances, etc., which are more expensive to buy than cheap goods, but last longer and you don’t have to buy new ones as often.
Avoid buying disposable products like disposable razors
Get refills for soap dispensers, dishwashing detergent, etc. refill packs

So, as you can see, sustainable waste prevention is made up of many small, everyday steps. Reduce your consumption, be creative and see where you can replace a disposable item with a sustainable one: Straws, cutlery, bags – there are sustainable alternatives for all these household items. A golden tip in the household check is to generally switch from plastic to other materials.

#2 Do without plastic

Plastic waste pollutes our forests, oceans and parks, is difficult to degrade and harmful to health. Microplastics are particularly alarming: these are fine particles that detach from plastic objects such as coffee cup lids and penetrate the bodies of animals and humans. What they do there has been researched for years, but it is already clear that a world with less (micro)plastic is a much healthier and more sustainable one.

The good news here is that there are now alternatives for many plastic products.

These sustainable products are available plastic-free:

Toothbrushes made from bamboo
Chewing gum made from biodegradable materials
Bowls made from coconuts
Cake bags instead of plastic cake boxes
Coffee cups made from rice husks
Packaging made of wood and palm leaves
Etc.

Most of these sustainable products are still being developed and marketed by start-ups. But the market evolves, more and more people are interested in sustainability. Be part of this development and replace plastic products with more sustainable alternatives. The greater the demand for these sustainable alternatives, the sooner plastic will be replaced as a harmful environmental material.

#3 Make products yourself

This is a great and inexpensive way to live sustainably. Because by no means do you have to buy all products, you can make them yourself with just a few ingredients. Most of the time, it’s also much healthier because you know exactly what’s in it.

You can make these sustainbale products yourself, for example:

Deo
Mouthwash
Dishwashing liquid
Detergent
Shampoo
Peeling
Mosquito spray
Tea lights

Here you can find a recipe for an organic sustainable mosquito spray:

Make your own organic mosquito spray

Mosquitoes don’t like essential oils, which you can take advantage of in your organic, sustainable bug spray.

You will need:

1 empty, cleaned spray bottle.
Boiled tap water
5 tablespoons of 40% alcohol (for example, a small bottle of grain brandy)
8-10 drops of essential oil (organic quality)

Pour the alcohol into the spray bottle and mix it with the essential oil.

Tip: Lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, citronella, tea tree oil and mint oil are the most effective against mosquitoes. You can combine different oils according to your taste.

Boil the water and let it cool. Fill the bottle with cooled tap water and shake the mixture vigorously. The organic, sustainable mosquito spray is ready!

Attention: The sustainably produced mosquito spray helps with moderate mosquito occurrence in Central Europe. However, you should not rely solely on its effectiveness when traveling to tropical areas, for example.

#4 Buy Fairly Produced & Second Hand Clothing

Wear shirts a few times and then throw them away – that’s not an option for your consumption? Then we recommend you to buy sustainable clothes from fair production and/or second hand clothes. When buying fairly produced, sustainable clothing, look for reputable seals. Here the consumer advice center lists which seals you can trust.

If you want to buy second-hand clothes online, we recommend that you read through tests on these sales portals. This way you can be sure that the clothes of these sellers have been produced fairly und sustainably.

#5 Declutter your own household

In a consumer society it is normal to constantly buy new things. But what do we really need? If you take a critical look at yourself, you’ll find out: far less than you thought. Over the years, a lot of stuff accumulates that clutters up your household, including old instruction manuals, broken clothes, unused recipe books, kitschy candle holders, very outdated or no longer used cell phones and all the bad purchases that you have ruefully banished to some drawer.

Tip: Clean out your clutter on a weekend! You will feel relieved afterwards and your apartment will be clean and tidy.

You don’t have to become a minimalist, i.e. you don’t have to live your whole life without items. But decluttering your closets, drawers, etc. will definitely do you and the environment good.

#6 Reduce meat consumption & buy organic meat

Eating meat consciously and rarely is healthy, sustainable and it’s easy on your wallet.

Article Tip: How to save money in your studies

For example, the Mediterranean diet, considered one of the healthiest diets, recommends adding fish and meat to your menu no more than once or twice a week. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, vegetable oils such as olive oil and dairy products such as cheese or yogurt form the basis of a healthy diet.

Article tip: 5 healthy recipes for students

Meat was not only eaten consciously in the Mediterranean region: For centuries, meat was also something special in our latitudes, as indicated by the term “Sunday roast”. With industrialization and the introduction of factory farming, a privilege became a habit. But the daily sausage on the plate has its price for the environment: the animals are often bred and slaughtered under terrible conditions.

By eating less meat, you have more money available to buy more consciously sustainably – for example, organic meat from regional free-range farming. Organic seals show you whether the meat comes from sustainable animal husbandry. If you want to be on the safe side and know exactly where your meat comes from, then buy directly from the regional farmer. Here you can often pre-order with others so that the animals are only slaughtered sustainably when their meat is fully utilized.

#7 Reduce your own CO2 footprint

Permanent CO2 emissions are one of the strongest drivers of climate change. It is therefore all the more important that we all live sustainably and reduce our own CO2 footprint.

With these simple measures you can reduce sustainably your own CO2 consumption:

Buy mostly regional and seasonal food (and no flown-in apples, only rarely avocados, etc.).
Leave your car at home as often as possible, ride a bike instead or use public transport from renewable energy sources (train, hydrogen-powered buses etc.)
Travel consciously, avoiding airplanes at best and preferring nearby destinations instead of long-distance travel
Use energy-efficient electronics (you can tell by the energy labels)
Always turn off electrical appliances instead of putting them on standby.

It is also important for energy savings to heat correctly and thus sustainably. This will be an energy and cost issue, especially in the upcoming winter. So heat your apartment smartly. The rule here is: heat at a constant level and ventilate intermittently instead of leaving the window open.

#8 Find a sustainable student job

You want to get involved and earn money at the same time? Then a sustainable student job is perfect for you! It’s important that the job provider is committed to sustainable goals and values. If you are looking for a sustainable student job, check out suitable job boards like Greenjobs or Jobverde.

Living sustainably with everyday tricks

Living sustainably sounds like a big project, but in fact sustainability can be implemented in many small, everyday steps. The key to a sustainable lifestyle is awareness: Conscious consumption, whether of food or clothing, is environmentally friendly and sustainable. In most cases, a certain amount of renunciation is not restrictive, but liberating and leads to a happier, tidier life. We hope you enjoy trying out the tips for more sustainability!

Free tools and software for students

Writing texts, opening PDFs, creating tables: students need a variety of tools and software to master modern university life. With the following solutions you are cheap and effective at the same time.

#1 OpenOffice (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation)

OpenOffice is something like the less fancy Microsoft Office, but completely free. OpenOffice has all the features you know from MS Office: Writing texts, creating presentations, spreadsheets, creating databases, designing graphics, etc.

If you can accept that OpenOffice has a classic, less modern user interface than the top dog from Microsoft, you have a very effective, free toolset for everyday university life at hand.

Click here for OpenOffice.

Important note: OpenOffice is available in German in the basic version, but you can install different language packs.

Tip: If you don’t want to do without Microsoft Office, you can use Microsoft Office 365, which is free for students. This involves the online versions of Word, Excel & Co.

#2 PDF24 Creator (PDF editing program)

Whether lecture slides, matriculation certificates or seminar summaries: PDFs are ubiquitous in everyday university life. It’s helpful to have a tool that allows you to edit and save these documents. PDF24 Creator is ideal for this purpose.

It allows you to merge, shrink, password-protect and compress PDFs, among other things. Furthermore, you can rotate PDF pages and insert or extract images in PDF. You can also annotate PDFs, sign them and much more. In short: It is a super practical and free PDF all-round tool.

Click here to go to PDF24 Creator.

#3 Evernote (organization & creation of notes)

Who doesn’t know it: the more or less popular saying “order is half of life”? Evernote is responsible for exactly this half. In its basic version, the tool is free, but there is also an Evernote discount for students, which gives you a 40% discount on the first year of using Evernote Professional.

With Evernote you can create, structure, sort and organize notes. You can also set tasks and deadlines to optimize your self-management. So you’ll never forget important exam dates again, turn in homework on time, and plan your study days wisely. Also, scan handwritten notes and store them in the appropriate section of Evernote for quick retrieval later.

Click here to go to Evernote.

#4 Thunderbird (email client)

A mail client helps you keep track of your email. This is true for private emails as well as for mails concerning your studies. For this purpose there is a mail client called Thunderbird from the Mozilla Foundation. Thunderbird is free of charge and offers you everything a mail client should be able to do: Manage mail accounts, create an address book and the automatic attachment reminder makes sure you never forget to add attachments to your mails again.

Click here for Thunderbird.

Free services for students

#1 Checking account

Many banks offer free checking accounts for students. With a good current account for students, cash withdrawals are free, and usually there is also a free credit card. In addition, you pay no account maintenance fees, which is definitely noticeable in your wallet over the months.

To find the right account for you, you should read several current account comparisons on the net. Before opening an account, be sure to read the bank’s price list. This is where hidden costs sometimes lurk, e.g. for transfers or cash withdrawals from third-party ATMs.

#2 Insurance

Students benefit from the fact that they can get many insurance policies at a reduced rate or even free of charge. For example, health insurance is free for students up to the age of 25, as it is usually covered by family insurance. It can also be worthwhile to take out other insurances such as occupational disability insurance while still a student. With these insurances it is often the case that the earlier the insurance is taken out, the lower the premium rates for the entire term.

Article tip: Insurance for students: You need these policies

#3 Printout of learning documents

Even if you do a lot digitally: Sometimes it’s much easier to learn with printed learning content – if it weren’t for the quite crisp printing costs. Companies like Druckster and Studyscript offer exciting solutions for this: The providers print out your learning materials free of charge. However, there is one drawback with Druckster: So far, only students in the Vienna area benefit from the service, but it is gaining more and more fans.

The free printing service is financed by advertising partners at both companies, so you have to expect advertising in the documents. However, with Studyscript, for example, this is on the cover pages and not between the lecture slides.

#4 Streaming movies and series

Admittedly, none of the streaming services is completely free – with one exception, which we will tell you at the end of this section. But you can save considerably, for example with Amazon Prime: As a student, you get the first 6 months of membership for free and then a 50% discount on the membership. Of course, Prime also includes Amazon Prime Video, Amazon’s video streaming service.

Also, check out Sky’s student special: when you sign up for a WOW subscription with Unidays, you can save 50% for one year of Sky membership. It is important that you register in advance with your Unidays account, a discount portal for students. If you then book a Sky subscription, you’ll save half of the actual membership price for 12 months.

Note: Unfortunately, the popular provider Netflix does not currently offer a student discount.

Let’s move on to free streaming: Thanks to DVB-T2, you can receive up to 40 TV channels in HD quality for free, including ARD, ZDF, ZDFneo, Arte, 3sat, and many more. Regional channels such as MDR, NDR, RBB, WDR etc. are also available. Thanks to your Internet connection, you also have access to the media library of the public programs. So you can regularly stream movies and series there completely free of charge. To use DVB-T2, you need a DVB-T2 receiver, which you can get for as little as 30 euros.

Tip: You can access the TV broadcasters’ media libraries online even without a DVB-T2 receiver. Simply visit the website of the respective broadcaster and click through to the media library.

Extra tip: Take advantage of student discounts and student rates

Several services offer students special conditions in the form of student discounts and student rates.

These providers often have student rates and student discounts:

Internet and phone
Electricity providers
Banks
Insurance companies
Housing and apartment providers
Travel providers
Software companies
Fitness studios
Clothing manufacturers

You can find an overview of the different providers on relevant comparison portals and websites. We recommend you to do some research, it’s worth it!

More tips and tricks for studying

Want to save money, travel cheaply and find out how to make friends in a new city? Then read these articles about studying:

Summer is here! And with it the time for delicious, refreshing drinks. We present you the coolest summer drink recipes for hot days, including creative cocktails and a very special iced tea!

Tip: The recipe ingredients are for 4 glasses. For alcoholic drinks, you can always find a non-alcoholic alternative under “Preparation”.

#1 Limoncello Spritz

The sweet lemon liqueur from Italy is a classic. As Limoncello Spritz, it now comes in a new guise as the trendsetter among summer drinks 2022. The recipe is also very easy and quick to prepare.

Ingredients for 4 drinks

1 organic lemon
160 ml limoncello
400 ml prosecco
160 ml mineral water
3 sprigs lemon balm
12 ice cubes

Preparation

Wash the lemon and mint. Cut the lemon into even thin slices. Divide the ice cubes among the glasses, pour Limoncello, add Prosecco and water. Lightly grind the mint leaves and add them to the Limoncello Spritz together with the lemon slices. Ready is one of the most popular summer drinks 2022!

Alcohol-free recipe variant: Instead of Limoncello, simply use lemon syrup and tonic water. Test the right mixing ratio of sweet and sour according to your own taste preferences.

#2 Strawberry Gin Tonic

What’s even more delicious than gin and tonic? Well, strawberry, gin and tonic, of course! Add some fruit to this delicious summer drink with this recipe!

Ingredients for 4 drinks

4 cl strawberry syrup
400 g strawberries
8 cl gin
360 ml tonic water
4 sprigs of mint
4 squirts of lemon juice

Preparation

Remove the leaves from the strawberries and wash the fruits. Now cut the strawberries into small pieces and divide them among the glasses. Add ice cubes, strawberry syrup, lemon juice and gin. Top with tonic water and garnish the glasses with mint sprigs and leaves.

Alcohol-free recipe-variant: Instead of gin, simply use non-alcoholic gin for summer drinks without percentages. Alcohol-free gin is now available in a wide range of varieties and flavors. For the strawberry gin and tonic, we recommend the classic juniper-infused gin.

#3 Infused Water

Infused water is a different way to drink water. It is one of the healthiest summer drinks of all, because infused water is alcohol-free and contains only fresh water and fruits or herbs. So unlike store-bought iced tea, the water comes completely without added sugar for this recipe.

Ingredients for 4 drinks

1 water carafe
4 fresh sprigs of lemon balm
4 fresh sprigs of peppermint
1 lemon

Preparation

Fill the carafe with fresh cold water. Quarter the lemon and add to the water along with the lemon balm and mint sprigs. Place the carafe in the refrigerator and leave to infuse overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Tip: Infused water can also be made with other fruits, depending on the recipe. Fresh fruits or frozen fruit blends are suitable for this purpose.

#4 Butterfly Pea Tea

Buttlerfly Pea Tea immediately catches the eye with its stunning blue color. But the color is not everything, the Butterfly Pea Tea also tastes delicious – as a healthy, refreshing iced tea and thus one of the most original summer drinks.

Ingredients for 4 drinks

24 pieces of butterfly pea flowers
1000 ml hot water
4 tablespoons honey
4 squirts of lemon
12 ice cubes

Preparation

Bring water to a boil. Separate the pollen of the butterfly flowers from the stems, add to the hot water and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Then strain the flowers and let the tea cool to room temperature. Add the honey and put the tea in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then serve with ice cubes and add a dash of lemon juice in front of the guests, so that the blue iced tea turns purple. The wow effect is guaranteed!

#5 Bajan Mojito

A well-known cocktail among the summer drinks presents itself in a new guise. Unlike the traditional Mojito, the Bajan Mojito includes another delicious ingredient: passion fruit. The fruit gives the Mojito an refreshing exotic kick, making it a real surprise hit among summer drinks.

Ingredients for 4 drinks

20 cl white or brown rum
8 teaspoons cane sugar
1 passion fruit
4 limes
40 cl mineral water
4 fresh mint sprigs
20 ice cubes

Preparation

Cut the passion fruit in half, scoop out the pulp and divide among the glasses. Add the mint and carefully puree everything. Quarter the limes and add them with the mint, ice cubes and cane sugar. Add mineral water and rum and serve the summer drinks.

Alcohol-free recipe-variant: Use lemonade instead of rum and a dash of sugar syrup for sweetness, if desired. Ready are the non-alcoholic, refreshing summer drinks for your guests!

Got a taste for it? In addition to summer drinks, you can find more great recipes and tips about student life on our blog:

Student apartments, dormitories, etc. are popular – not only among students. Even those who are not enrolled at a university ask themselves: Can I live in a student apartment, dormitory, or student apartment as a non-student? We answer the question for each type of housing.

Living in student apartments

Student apartments are private living facilities. Here, the private provider decides for himself whether he wants to rent the apartments to non-students. In practice, it is common to make two offers for the same apartment building. We at Staytoo, for example in Kaiserslautern, also offer two types of apartments:

Student apartments
Business apartments

The furnished student apartments are ideal for prospective academics as a comfortable and at the same time affordable all-in-one solution.

The business apartments are aimed at professionals who like to live in a lively house with young people instead of an anonymous hotel, without having to sacrifice comfort at the same time. This gives business apartment living a student touch.

Living in student residences

Student dormitories are usually run by local student unions. However, there are also student dormitories operated by church or private sponsors. Self-managed student residences can also be found in this country.

No matter what form of management exists, whether or not non-students are allowed to live in student dormitories is a decision made by the sponsor or dormitory management. In some student dormitories, non-students may be allowed to occupy a room at a higher price, provided there is sufficient capacity.

Living in student flats

There is no such thing as student flats as a clearly defined form of housing in Germany. Student apartments are therefore normal apartments that are rented to students.

It can happen that landlords prefer to let students move in. This is especially the case with inexpensive apartments in less attractive areas. These landlords often assume that students have little money, but are tenants of decency – even if they have the odd party. So non-students may have a hard time getting an apartment in a building with a lot of students because of the landlord’s attitude.

Interesting is also the case when a WG is founded or new roommates are sought. With the WG casting it can be quite that one receives a place in the student WG – or also not, if students would like to remain namely among themselves. In the meantime, however, there are many open-minded students who like to live in mixed shared flats with non-students.

Conclusion

Non-students can live in almost all types of student housing, including “student flats”, which are nothing more than mixed shared apartments. However, you then have to cope with student life, which consists of a lot of hustle and bustle. For those who want to live comfortably and experience the student flair at the same time, business apartments or their own apartment are recommended.

#1 Schwarzwaldbahn: Karlsruhe – Villingen – Constance

One of the most beautiful railroad lines in Germany can be found in the southwest of the country. The Black Forest Railway runs hourly between Karlsruhe and Constance, with stops in Baden-Baden, Offenburg, Triberg, Villingen, Singen and many other places that invite you to take a little discovery tour. The route is therefore the perfect way to get to know the Black Forest region, even in a relaxed way over several days with overnight stays. At the end of the route, picturesque Constance awaits you, located directly on Lake Constance.

Travel time start to end point:

3h 35min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of required changes:

2x (Immendingen, Singen)

#2 Höllentalbahn: Freiburg im Breisgau – Titisee – Donaueschingen

Similar to route #1, this railroad line also runs through the Black Forest, but with a completely different highlight: the Höllentalbahn goes right through the middle of the Höllental, it is the steepest railroad line in Germany. So steep slopes and rock faces are part of the program, but don’t worry: For over a century, the Höllentalbahn has been transporting thousands of passengers safely over the Ravenna viaduct and through fascinating nature every day. Stopovers are made at distinctive places whose names contrast with the Höllentalbahn, including Himmelreich and Hinterzarten, for example.

Travel time start to end point:

1h 29min

Stopovers possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

None

#3 Frankenbahn: Stuttgart – Heilbronn – Würzburg

You start in the car and culture city of Stuttgart, which is also the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg. You board the train at Stuttgart’s main station and travel by rail 180 kilometers through parts of Baden-Württemberg and beautiful Franconia. The route is winding, sometimes at altitude, sometimes in the valley and always close to the rivers Neckar and Ems. The ideal variety that a train ride needs! You will enjoy great views along the way: Forests, rock faces and vineyards included.

Travel time from start to end point:

2h 08min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

None

#4 On the way on the Moselle line: Koblenz – Bullay – Trier

Traveling along the Moselle is an unforgettable train experience. After just a few kilometers, you will cross the Güls railroad bridge and thus the Moselle for the first time. You will then be on the left side of the river for about 55 kilometers, followed by the no less exciting ride through the Kaiser Wilhelm Tunnel, which was Germany’s longest railroad tunnel until 1988. Every now and then the train crosses the river and chugs past magnificent steep vineyards.

Travel time from start to end point:

1h 24min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of transfers required:

None

#5 Harz narrow gauge railroad: Wernigerode – Quedlinburg – Nordhausen

Our tip: Be sure to visit the Harz National Park. We recommend getting off at Elend, and yes, we know how that sounds. But you shouldn’t infer the place from the name. Elend scores with its close proximity to the Brocken and the beautiful Elendstal valley, where it is great to hike. Whichever route through the Harz you choose by train: Pure nature and romance are guaranteed.f

Harzquerbahn

Travel time start to end point:

2h 27min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

None

Selketalbahn

Travel time start to end point:

3h 21min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of required changes:

1x Alexisbad

#6 Rasender Roland: Putbus – Binz – Göhren

The Rasender Roland, also known as the Rügensche BäderBahn, is a steam locomotive-powered narrow-gauge railroad in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It takes passengers from Lauterbach Mole on the island of Rügen via Binz and Sellin to Göhren. In the high season (summer) the trains run every hour, in the low season (from. 01 November) they run every two hours.

Attention: Trains depart from Lauterbach Mole only in the high season. From November 2022 to May 2023 the trains start one station further in Putbus.
Here’s a special tip from us: In summer, the trains run until shortly before midnight between the seaside resorts of Binz and Göhren. So nothing stands in the way of an extended visit to the beach with a cocktail at sunset. The return journey to Goeren is by steam locomotive, which is a real railroad highlight not only for newlyweds.

Travel time from start to end point:

2h 01min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

None

#7 Usedom Bäderbahn: Peenemünde – Zinnowitz – Swinemünde

In addition to the electric reversible trains, buses are also on the road in this transport system. So you can move nicely mobile between Zinnowitz, Peenemünde, Wolgast, Lubmin, Greifswald, Usedom, Heringsdorf and so on. Besides the nature highlights at the sea and around it, we recommend you to visit the road and railroad bascule bridge Peenebrücke Wolgast. It is also known as the “Blue Wonder” – when you see it, you will know why.

Travel time start to end point:

1h 07min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

1x (Zinnowitz)

#8 Hamburg – Timmendorfer Strand – Fehmarn-Burg

This rail route takes you to the far north with stops that are worth the trip in themselves. You’ll head to one of Germany’s most popular Baltic Sea islands with a stylish stopover at Timmendorfer Strand. Treat yourself to a cocktail, jump into the water and explore the Kammerwald forest on an extensive hike.

Then cross the Fehmarnsund Bridge to the island, where you can explore sights like the Glambeck Castle ruins and the Jimi Hendrix Memorial Stone. You are surprised about the memorial stone? It’s on Fehmarn because the famous musician gave his last festival performance here at the Love and Peace Festival in 1970. So you see, this rail route is full of surprises.

Travel time start to end point:

2h 27min

Intermediate stops possible?

Yes

Number of changes required:

1x (Lübeck Hbf)

#9 Berlin – Magdeburg – Leipzig

The Berliner doesn’t like to leave his neighborhood and then to Magdeburg? The city in Saxony-Anhalt does not have a particularly good reputation. Completely unjustly, because Magdeburg has a lot to offer: Get to know Magdeburg Cathedral and Hundertwasser’s Green Citadel while sightseeing. Explore the Elbauenpark and visit the nearby butterfly house.

Continue by train to Leipzig. Be sure to pack your swimsuit for Leipzig’s Neuseen landscape before exploring the Saxon metropolis refreshed. Here, too, a rich cultural offer awaits you: Bach, Goethe and many other artists have worked in the city. If you’re in town, visit our apartments and make an appointment in advance !

Article Tip: The most beautiful destinations in Leipzig
Travel time start to end point:3h 45minIntermediate stops possible?YesNumber of changes required:1x (Magdeburg main station)

Discover more articles in our blog

Got the travel bug? Then how about a trip to the Barbarossa city of Kaiserslautern? We have great student apartments in Kaiserslautern.
Learn 11 great tips on how to travel cheaply as a student.
Discover the most beautiful excursion destinations in Leipzig.

We wish you an eventful summer and, of course, lots of fun traveling and discovering with the regional rail service

You want a relaxing vacation to finally switch off? With the following tips you can travel cheap and experience a lot during the semester break!

#1 Save smart

Great, you might think now. This tip is so obvious. Really?

Everyone knows that saving money is important. But how many people actually succeed? Most don’t follow a consistent savings plan.

You can do better than that!

Here are three tips for smart saving:

Use a free checking account

Many banks and financial service providers give you a free checking account as a student. This saves you several euros a month, which you can use to feed your vacation fund. However, check the conditions of the current account: What fees can you expect when you are no longer a student? If necessary, it may make sense to consider switching accounts before the end of your studies.

Buy used things

Laptop, smartphone, clothes, furniture: It is significantly cheaper to buy used things than new ones. There are also numerous platforms where you can buy refurbished or guaranteed used items. And then, of course, there are classics like eBay. In almost every case, it’s worth buying used items to save money.

Do your tax return

Tax returns are not only for self-employed people and entrepreneurs. Even as a student you can claim special expenses and get money back from the government. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to save money for your vacation.

#2 Travel by public transport

Driving a car is convenient, but an expensive and polluting affair. Flying, on the other hand, can be a real bargain, but it is also not very sustainable. Besides, you want to be mobile at your vacation destination, too.

The solution: use public transport! It’s much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than a rental car or a seat on a plane. What’s more, more and more regions and cities are turning to green drives. In addition to the classic overhead lines, battery- and hydrogen-powered buses and trains are already on the road.

Special tip for public transport: In Germany, the 9-euro ticket will be introduced in June, July and August 2022. Find out more in the next tip!

#3 Use the 9-Euro-Ticket

The German government has introduced the 9-Euro-Ticket. With this ticket, you can use the entire regional train service in 2nd class in the months of June, July and August. From Berlin to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, from Hamburg to Cologne, from Stuttgart to Erfurt: With the regional trains of the German Railways you can travel across the country and create the perfect individual vacation.

#4 Compare individual trips and package deals with each other

What’s better in terms of price, an individual trip or a package deal? If you want to travel cheaply as a student, this question comes up quickly. The bad news is that there is no universal answer. The good news is that you can find out for yourself by making personal comparisons. It is helpful if you answer these questions before making comparisons:

Are you going abroad or do you want to stay in Germany?
To which region exactly do you want to go?
Do you want to do a lot of things, see and experience or would you rather relax all-inclusive in a hotel?
Do you prefer Guided Tours or a student trip or do you enjoy making your own plans?

Answers to these questions will help you to specify your search. The more specific your expectations are, the easier it will be for you to compare offers based on the criteria that are important to you. For example, if you know from the start that you prefer to put together your own hiking routes, package deals with guided tours and organized student trips will not be very attractive to you per se.

Above all, question the cost of travel features you don’t use. What good is an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet if you plan to hit the bars and clubs by sunset anyway? With precise comparisons, you will be able to implement the ideal travel plan for you and travel cheaply as a student.

#5 Book flights at the right time

When booking flights, timing is everything. There is a rule of thumb for the cheapest flight: book about 7-10 weeks before you travel. If you book too early, the flight can be just as expensive as if you book too late.

You should avoid this when booking flights:

Book late for long-haul flights
Book early for domestic flights
Book on weekends
Book only direct flights
Always fly with the same airline

Also note: The further away your destination is, the earlier you can book cheaply, so stretch the 7-10 week rule a bit in terms of earliness. As another rule of thumb, bookings on Tuesday from 6pm are the cheapest.

Also, make sure to book your flight out of season. November, December, January, and June and August (especially Asia) are good months to fly cheap.

Another tip is to book flights from alternative airports that are close to an airport. These are sometimes only a few miles away, but are significantly cheaper.

#6 Do without flights

Why fly at all? Local tourism is all the rage; at least since the Corona travel restrictions, we’ve come to know and appreciate regional vacations. So why not go on a journey of relaxation and discovery nearby?

In Germany alone, there are quite a few cities and regions that are worth at least one visit. But popular European destinations such as Croatia, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, etc. are also easy to reach without a plane. Attractive travel destinations are therefore very close to you.

You can also travel cheaply as a student with a camper. These can be rented, but you should take care early to get a free camper. Camping has boomed due to Corona, which has led to the creation of new providers. Search for them on the web and try out this cheap way of traveling.

Apart from saving money on expensive hotels, camping vacations are just great: wake up in the morning in Tuscany and go on to Genoa for lunch. So much freedom is just a joy!

#7 Hostels, Couch Surfing, Use Airbnb

With the internet, numerous alternatives to bed castles & co. have spread. Use hostels for cheap accommodation, Couch Surfing costs nothing except for a small membership fee to the community and a host gift, Airbnb accommodations can be very exciting and high quality.

So our recommendation is to take some time to learn about and try out the different travel and accommodation options.

#8 Learn about and take advantage of student discounts

Students are an important target group for tour operators, transportation companies, accommodation providers, etc. Therefore, find out about discounts and offers before you start your vacation. Some airlines offer up to 50% discount on flights, cruises can also be very cheap depending on the offer.

#9 Cook yourself

Cook for yourself instead of spending a lot of money on food every day in a restaurant. A dish that costs you 10 € in a restaurant is not even half as expensive if you cook it yourself.

Tip: When choosing your accommodation, make sure you have cooking facilities (hot plates, oven, etc.).

Be attentive when shopping: By comparing prices, you can save a lot of money. A good example of saving money is buying water: a 1.5-liter bottle in the supermarket usually costs less than the 0.5-liter bottle at the kiosk. Therefore, before each trip, you should fill your backpack with food and drinks purchased in advance.

#10 Get in touch with the locals

Locals usually know best where you can go to party cheaply or at which stand you can sunbathe without paying for a lounger. Just be open and talk to the people. You’re bound to hear exciting stories and get great insider tips.

#11 Use tourist activities, but for free

Why spend unnecessary money on a city tour, when most cities also offer guided tours for free? The same goes for expensive boat tours: Ask at a small fishing boat in the harbor, for example, if you can get a ride. It’s almost like hitchhiking, only on the water. And ideal if you want to travel cheaply as a student.

Cheap travel as a student: Flexibility is everything!

You have the best chances for cheap vacations if you are open in terms of destination, travel duration and means of transport. Find out from several sources how you can travel cheaply. Even in the age of the Internet, going to a travel agency is far from outdated. Here you can sometimes get very good offers that don’t even appear on the Internet. But of course you should also look online to see what bargains are waiting for you. We wish you a good and relaxing vacation!

Save money for your vacation: Find out what costs you have as a student
Here are 10 tips for finding friends in a new city.
Fancy a stroll through the city? Discover the most beautiful destinations in the trendy city of Leipzig.

Tax returns are only for professionals – right? No, even as a student you can and should send a tax return to the tax office. In this article we explain why this is important for your finances and what you have to consider when filing your tax return.

Please note: We are not tax advisors and would like to point out that this article is not intended as tax advice, but as a first impulse and food for thought on the topic of tax returns. Please contact a qualified tax advisor for tax advice.

Tax return as a student: Is it worth it?

Short answer: yes!

More detailed answer: It is worth it, because you can claim your study costs to the tax office. In this way, you can reclaim overpaid taxes from the state as a student. Particularly interesting for students are the items special expenses deduction for first education costs and income-related expenses for second education.

First education vs. second education

An initial education is, for example, your first degree, such as a bachelor’s degree.
Note: Initial education is always your first vocational training, not your first degree. If, for example, you have only completed an apprenticeship and then begin a course of study, this is then your first course of study, but your second vocational training.

If you continue with a second course of study (e.g. another bachelor’s or master’s degree) after your first course of study (bachelor’s degree), this second course of study is also your second vocational training.

Article tip: These costs you have as a student

The second education means the professional education that you pursue after your first professional education. It is irrelevant whether the first vocational training was an apprenticeship or a course of study.

Tip: An interrupted apprenticeship or study does not count as initial training. If, for example, you drop out of a course of study and start a new course of study, the new course of study remains initial training.

Tax return for first degree

In your first degree program (if it is also your first professional training), you can only claim special expenses for each tax year in your tax return. Special expenses are clearly defined by the legislator and are more narrowly defined compared to income-related expenses (which you cannot claim in your first degree program). In other words: special expenses are not the same as income-related expenses, but a different category for the tax office. You can deduct up to 6,000 euros of special expenses per year.

Typical examples of special expenses are:

Tuition fees (e.g. semester fees)
Donations to charitable organizations
Pension expenses (insurances)
Church tax
Alimony payments to divorced spouses
Childcare expenses

Make a list of your special expenses and enter them on your tax return. Usually these are not many expenses, but they are better than nothing. In the second degree program, the deductions for study expenses on your tax return are already much larger.

Tax return for second studies

For a second study or the study as a second professional training, you can claim in the tax return income-related expenses without limitation amount to the tax office. Income-related expenses are all costs that you incur to ensure that you can pursue your studies.

Typical business expenses are:

Electronics such as laptop, printer, keyboard, mouse
Software such as document and spreadsheet creation software
Work materials such as pens, notepads, binders
Office furniture such as office chair and desk
Technical literature such as books and trade journals
Workroom

Be careful with the last point: You can only claim a workroom in your tax return if it is a separate room that you use exclusively for your studies. Unfortunately, this is not the case with Staytoo apartments. However, you can claim the other costs mentioned above, which is also worthwhile.

Attention: Income-related expenses will not be paid out to you by the tax office in the form of a tax refund while you are studying. Instead, there is the so-called loss carry-forward.

Loss carry-forward: What is it and how can you use it?

The loss carry-forward can only be entered in the tax return for a second degree program or a dual degree program, as you have operating expenses here. In the case of a first degree program, you can only claim special expenses as study costs.

There are two possibilities how your income and expenses relate to each other:

1. Your income is higher than your expenses

In this case, you have made a profit, which must be taxed and therefore declared in the tax return. The state takes its share of this profit in the form of taxes. The study costs are offset here, and you may receive a tax refund.

2. Your expenses are higher than your income

Thus you have a loss. In this case you can claim it as a loss carried forward in your tax return, which will be credited in the form of tax-free profits for the next year. A loss carry-forward can be claimed retroactively for up to 7 years. Sounds complicated? Let’s explain it with an example involving tuition costs.

Example: This is how the loss carry-forward works

Let’s say you studied in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

In these years, you had study costs of 2,000 euros per year. You did not earn any income during this time. Thus, you have a total loss of 6,000 euros. Every year you make a tax return, so that the tax office can note the 2,000 euros of study costs per year.

Now, in 2022, you have started to work. When the year is over, you will make another tax return. Let’s assume that in 2022 you received a gross annual salary of 38,000 euros in your job. The tax office initially takes this 38,000 euros as taxable income.

With the loss carry-forward, however, your actual taxable income is reduced retroactively to 32,000 euros, i.e. you have paid too much tax. As a result, the tax office transfers the overpaid taxes to your account.

Important: The loss carry-forward is a kind of tax bonus from the tax office, i.e. you only get it offset as soon as you earn income and file another tax return.

Depending on the amount of expenses, the loss carry-forward can amount to several thousand euros, which is why you should definitely check with yourself whether such a loss carry-forward exists.

Tip: Ideally, you should start your first job at the beginning of a new year, so that the full annual salary can be offset against the loss carry-forward. The higher the income, the higher the taxes to be paid and the more effective the loss carry-forward.

What happens to my loss carry-forward if I am unemployed?

If you don’t immediately earn an income after graduation that you can offset against the loss carry-forward – don’t panic! The loss carry-forward does not simply expire, but is valid until it is used up, i.e. until it is offset against income.

11 golden tips for the tax return

Use a tool for the tax return. There are numerous on the market, the costs are affordable and the effort for tax returns is significantly lower as a result.
The tax declaration is not obligatory for students, except if you are self-employed and have income above the annual basic allowance (9,000 euros / as of 2022).
However, it is always worthwhile to make a tax declaration as a student – regardless of whether you earn money or not, so that you can deduct study costs.
Keep all receipts for your costs. The tax office may request them after you file your tax return.
If your income-related expenses do not exceed the standard amount of 1,000 euros per year, you do not have to provide the tax office with proof of these costs.
You can make a tax declaration retroactively for up to four years, i.e. back to 2018.
BAföG is generally tax-free and can therefore not be deducted in the tax return.
Travel costs are tax deductible (30 cents per kilometer for a one-way trip), so be sure to include them in your tax return.
For particularly long stays, you can deduct accommodation costs and additional meal expenses in your tax declaration (e.g. for excursions).
For student loans, you can deduct the student loan interest that accrues upon repayment.
Your income as a working student is subject to income tax if it exceeds the marginal earnings threshold (450 euros per month).

#1 Understanding exam anxiety

Right off the bat, anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing. Nature set it up for us to recognize danger in time. This ancient evolutionary program is simply in us and has also been useful for many millennia, when we ran from wild animals or other dangers.

Today, anxiety can arise from other situations that seem threatening: for example, an exam in which we are afraid of failing. So exam or test anxiety is nothing more than a feeling that wants to tell you, “Hey, this is important to you!” In doing so, it sometimes overshoots the mark a bit. But understanding, that anxiety is a natural companion of every human being and test anxiety is just an expression of it, makes it easier to accept test anxiety, which already makes it smaller.

#2 Take good care of yourself

The more comfortable we feel in our own skin, the better we can cope with stress and the associated feelings such as test anxiety. Therefore, make sure you get enough sleep (at least 7 hours) and eat healthy with our recipes for students. It’s also important to plan enough breaks when you’re studying for an exam. Feeling well prepared greatly reduces exam anxiety.

Use great productivity techniques like the 52/17 rule. The principle is simple: you study for 52 minutes, take a 17-minute break, study for 52 minutes, take a 17-minute break, and so on. You can fill the breaks with enjoying a coffee, looking out the window, or taking a short walk. You will notice how your head clears from anxiety.

Furthermore, you should make sure to spend enough free time with family and friends. Here we have collected tips on how to make friends in a new city.

Whether alone or in company – spend time in nature regularly to get fresh air and sun. This is good for your body and mind, so you’ll soon be able to hit the ground running again and reduce your exam anxiety through relaxation. There are also effective relaxation techniques for this.

#3 Learn relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques help to gain distance from the subject of exams, reduce exam anxiety and increase your own resilience. Many of them, like meditation, are quite simple to implement. Set yourself an alarm clock for 15 minutes and turn off all sources of interference such as the radio, smartphone, etc. Then sit comfortably on a chair or your bed. Close your eyes and focus your attention on your breath. Observe, how it flows in and out. Do this for 15 minutes.

At first it may feel unusual, you will probably get impatient after a few minutes or even seconds and want to stop the meditation. Try to stick with it! Because that’s what it’s all about: enduring doing nothing. When thoughts and feelings come up, just bring your attention back to your breath.

Do this meditation daily and you will quickly notice how it brings you deep relaxation. Practiced meditators can also do the meditation in the park or another public place.

If you feel stress or exam anxiety acutely, for example just before an exam, try the 3-minute-breathing-break in the following video. You can also do this in the restroom of the university to regulate your exam anxiety.

*Youtube Video *

Numerous studies confirm the positive effects of meditation. For example, a study from the USA showed, that it significantly reduces anxiety and significantly increases one’s ability to cope with stress. It is therefore ideal to reduce exam anxiety and to face the exam itself more confidently!

Tip: Other popular relaxation techniques for exam anxiety include yoga, autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation. Try out these techniques; colleges and universities offer courses in them.

#4 Do Sport exercises

Write papers, study, attend lectures: Studying involves a lot of sitting. That’s why it’s all the more important to get some exercise, ideally on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be the big run or boxing workout every day; even a brisk walk around your own neighborhood or a short ride on your bike will do your body good. In addition, it reduces the fear of an exam.

However, you should schedule a sports session at least 2x a week. Here, too, universities and colleges offer inexpensive courses at the start of the semester. Also find out about clubs in your area where you can take a trial training.

#5 Rehearse the exam

In many self-defense courses, participants not only practice the techniques, but also act out acute stressful situations. The reason is that stressful situations like an upcoming fight put our body into alarm mode. It releases a lot of adrenaline when we are anxious, which can give us three results in behavior:

We fight
We flee
We freeze (stall reflex)

The third reaction is especially common when we are not used to the adrenaline rush. That is why such situations are simulated in the training, so that the participants can handle the adrenaline and do not forget the learned techniques.

You can think of it in a similar way with exam anxiety: If you are not familiar with it, it paralyzes you. Therefore, act out an exam with friends or family. This can feel a little strange at first, but it’s amazing how quickly role-playing can feel real. Your counterpart slips into the role of the examiner and you face the challenge. This, too, will ease your exam anxiety.

#6 Support with natural remedies

Some students take medication to inhibit test anxiety. However, there are also herbal remedies that help deal with test anxiety. From calming tea to gentle natural remedies, the ways are numerous. Essential oils can also have a relaxing effect, for example in a fragrance lamp or shower gel. Check with your doctor or pharmacy about the various natural remedies for exam anxiety.

#7 Accept blackout and address it in the exam situation

You find yourself in the exam and it happens: Anxiety comes up and facts you’ve been cramming for months no longer come to mind. There is emptiness in your head, the blackout has happened. So what? Take the fear out of the blackout by addressing it. Experienced teachers know that an exam is not an easy situation for the person being tested. You can be sure that they know the phenomenon of test anxiety in connection with a blackout very well. Maybe even from their own experience with anxiety?

So if you are blocked, address it openly and say:

“Excuse me, I think I’m blacking out right now. Can we please take a three-minute break and then continue with the exam?”

Then use the break to do the 3-minute-breathing-exercise you’ll find earlier in the article to lower exam anxiety. Then you’ll be ready to continue facing the exam. You can do this!

Get to know yourself

The key to making a good choice of study program lies in you! Logical, isn’t it? But when was the last time you consciously took time to get to know yourself better? Take 30 minutes and write down in bullet points what comes to your mind about the following points. It doesn’t have to be 30 minutes at a time either, you can devote some time to each aspect, for example one evening at a time when you have some quiet time.

Explore your hobbies and passions

What did you like to do in the past? Painting, crafting, writing? Maybe you still have a hobby that you would like to turn into a career. A classic example of this is the gym-goer who wants to study sports science. Or the crafty math ace who feels comfortable studying engineering. Explore your talents and involve family, too! Family members who have watched you grow up are usually well aware of where your strengths lie.

Discover your personality

Are you a person who likes to speak in front of people and always needs people around? Or do you feel more comfortable working undisturbed at home? With a view to your studies, the right university and your future career, these are important parameters that can help you choose your course of study. Also try out personality tests, preferably two with different approaches, so that you can identify intersections.

Find out why you want to study

What is actually the motivation behind why you want to study? It is important to be aware of the reason behind it. Are you studying to get a good job later on or because you are particularly interested in the field of study? What do you expect from your studies?

Admittedly, these are a few questions, and you don’t have to answer them all in a row. But when you answer them, you should be honest with yourself. If, for example, it turns out that you are considering courses of study that promise a well-paid job but don’t really suit you, it’s worth rethinking your choice of study.

Visit fairs & events of universities and universities of applied sciences

Study fairs are an ideal opportunity to talk to lecturers, university staff, etc. You will get new information or find out more about your studies. You will receive new information and learn about study programs from a new perspective. An on-site visit to a university or college will also give you an impression of whether you feel comfortable here. In this context, take advantage of offers such as open days to get to know the educational institution better.

Tip: Are you looking for an apartment for your studies? Book a free Staytoo viewing appointment to get to know our student apartments! Here you can find tips for finding an apartment.

Allow yourself to try out a study program

We all want to make as many good life decisions as possible and as few bad ones as possible. And yet, it happens. But here comes an important realization in life: Many decisions can be reversed or changed! Of course, this also applies to study programs. With this knowledge in mind, it is certainly easier to take a more playful approach to your studies.

After all, how are young people supposed to know what they like if they’ve never tried it out? If you start a course of study and find that it doesn’t suit you, that’s not the end of the world, but a chance to change course. That’s how many students feel, with 30% of them dropping out of their bachelor’s degree alone every year.

This is not meant to be a call to make your choice of study lightly. It’s about taking pressure off yourself by not viewing your decision as irrevocable and final. Have the courage to try out a course of study and find out for yourself if it fits.

True to Einstein’s quote:

If you’ve never made a mistake, you’ve never tried something new.

In this sense: Dare the unknown and see a study as what it is: a great adventure!

WG room (shared apartment)

The WG room is very popular with many students in Kaiserslautern, but you also have to deal with the disadvantages of this form of housing.

Advantages of a WG room

WG rooms are cheap compared to renting an apartment. In addition, you will quickly find a connection in Kaiserslautern through your roommates, provided that you get along well. Common cooking and game evenings do not let feelings of loneliness arise in the first place.

Article tip: Meeting friends: Ideas for Corona Time

In most cases, the shared apartment is already furnished, which eliminates expensive acquisition costs. On the shared balcony you can enjoy balmy summer evenings, which is also part of many WGs.

Disadvantages of a WG room

There are many rules, such as a common cleaning schedule, so that living together is successful. Different perceptions of cleanliness are a point of conflict, socks lying around or hair in the shower drain quickly become a topic of dispute. Furthermore, you have little peace and quiet in the shared flat. This can be quite annoying when you are writing a paper or studying for exams.

Also, important living areas are often blocked: The bathroom is often occupied, there’s already another party in the kitchen and the clothes horse is hung full.

Your own apartment

Some students want 100% independence from the start of their studies. That’s why they decide to get their own apartment in Kaiserslautern, which has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of having your own apartment

In your own apartment you decide without restrictions. No agreements with roommates, no shared refrigerators, everything runs the way you want it to. You are only obligated to your landlord to handle the apartment responsibly.

You will enjoy a lot of peace and quiet to recover from your daily study routine and to concentrate on your studies. Furthermore, you have full cost control, decide on the relevant contracts, keep track of utility costs, etc. Also, amenities such as your own bathroom and a balcony are attractive for you alone.

Disadvantages of having your own apartment

Maintaining an apartment on your own is expensive in Kaiserslautern. Where WG partners share costs like rent, you have to bear them alone. In the phase of studying, where money is usually tight anyway, this can mean additional pressure.

Article tip: What does student life cost?

You don’t have a social life within your four walls, unless your partner or friends come to visit you. However, this way you don’t make any new contacts, which makes it harder to connect. In addition, you have to take care of every aspect of life on your own. If you don’t clean, the dirt accumulates, if you don’t shop, the fridge stays empty.

Student dormitory

Students can apply for a dormitory place at the Studierendenwerk. If they are lucky, they will receive student housing in Kaiserslautern, for which many things are regulated. The pros and cons at a glance:

Advantages of the student dormitory

One advantage is the low price for rooms: the cost of a dormitory place is significantly lower than that of comparable student accommodation in Kaiserslautern, at least as far as the housing market is concerned. Everything is included in the price: Internet, electricity, water. You don’t have to worry about anything and you don’t have to fear additional payments due to increased consumption. In addition, the rooms are furnished and the dorms are in a good location, close to downtown Kaiserslautern and the university.

Disadvantages of student dormitories

Rooms in student dormitories are small, usually you have a maximum of 18 square meters for living, studying and sleeping. And as far as the furniture is concerned, you should expect an absolute basic equipment, which can seem dreary.

Furthermore, the room in the dormitory is a student accommodation in Kaiserslautern with certain conditions: Long waiting periods for a place can be just as annoying as the limitation of your living time to your ongoing studies. Also, common areas are often worn out, for example kitchenettes and the bathroom.

Student Apartment

Student apartments are becoming increasingly popular in Kaiserslautern. This is because they combine the advantages of shared apartments, apartments and classic dormitories, while having relatively few of the disadvantages of the other types of housing.

Advantages of a student apartment

Comfortable and inexpensive is the all-in-one flat rate: with it, you pay not only for your student accommodation in Kaiserslautern, but also for the use of the gym and other common areas. Of course, the price also includes unlimited use of super-fast internet, as well as electricity and all other utilities.

With an apartment like the one at Staytoo, you’ll find the ideal mix of privacy and community. The room with its own bathroom serves as a retreat and whenever you feel like it, you can meet new people in the common rooms. Moreover, the accommodation is fully furnished and equipped with a kitchen.

Disadvantages of a student apartment

A student apartment is a very popular student accommodation in Kaiserslautern. Accordingly, we recommend that you quickly look for a room if you want to live with us. It is also important to know that student apartments are ideal for the time when you are a student. However, they are less suitable for later phases of life.

Article tip: Living in a student accomodation Kaiserslautern: Advantages and disadvantages

10 Tips for Finding Student Housing in Kaiserslautern

Create clarity: How do you want to live? Are you more the social type who needs company around the clock? Then a room in a shared apartment is right for you. Do you need some time to yourself without feeling isolated? Then living in an apartment building is more suitable.
Don’t dawdle: Start looking for student housing in Kaiserslautern early. The sooner you start, the more relaxed you can check offers for rent, proximity to the city center, etc.
Use online information material. Providers such as Staytoo offer information brochures in their download area, so that you can gain insight into the properties and their advantages.
Check out the bundled offers on site. Plan a day or weekend trip to the city to look at several offers for accommodation and get a feeling for whether the shared apartment, apartment or apartment building suits you. At Staytoo, you have the opportunity to visit the Staytoo student housing directly on site with the support of our property manager.
Think long-term: Many students quickly look for a shared room or an apartment, true to the motto: “The main thing is that I have student accommodation in Kaiserslautern at the beginning of the semester.” That may work in the short term, but what if you don’t feel comfortable in your new home and are tied into the tenancy for several months or years? From the beginning, find a place to live that will be a comfortable retreat, place to relax, and place to study throughout your studies.
Plan your new life in Kaiserslautern: This does not only include looking for student accommodation in Kaiserslautern. Find out about university events, sports activities and other events early on. Also read our 10 tips for making friends in a new city and how you can meet friends even in Corona times.
Pay attention to the surroundings: The ideal student accommodation in Kaiserslautern, like the Staytoo Apartmenthaus, is located close to the city center, the university path is short and recreational areas such as the city park or the Volkspark are easily accessible. The main train station should also be within walking distance to keep you mobile.
Ask friends and other students: Can they share a housing experience with you or recommend a provider? Inform yourself in this regard in your environment.
Read reviews on the web. In rating portals and on social media you can read reviews of the accommodation and landlords and get a first impression. What did the residents like, where is there criticism? Is the rent reasonable? How far is the city center? Based on this info, you can better assess what suits you.
Be careful with private apartment ads. This is especially true for ads where you don’t find a personal contact person and which are aimed exclusively at young women. This is usually not a good thing. With official, reputable landlords or providers, you can be sure that they are always interested in providing you with high-quality accommodation.

We wish you success in finding the perfect student accommodation in Kaiserslautern! Are you curious about apartment life with us? Learn more about the Staytoo concept here!

When they begin their studies, many students move into a room in a shared apartment or dormitory for the first time. Or they dare to take the step to their own apartment right away. We provide tips on what to look out for when looking for an apartment for students.

#1 Create clarity

Before you start looking for an apartment for students, clarity is important. Take half an hour, get a piece of paper and pen, and answer the following questions in writing:

Do I want to live with others or would I rather be on my own?
Is a quick social connection important to me?
Do I need a lot of rest for myself and my studies?
Can I manage well on my own?
Is one room enough for me or do I need a lot of space?
Do I have the time and inclination to deal with apartment hunting and finding furniture and providers (electricity, internet, etc.)?

The answers to these questions should give you some initial guidance as to whether an apartment is indeed the ideal living arrangement for you. If you like to have people around you frequently, a room in a shared apartment (WG), in a dormitory or your own apartment may be the better form of housing.

Regardless of the “soft” factors, one question is very crucial before you start thinking about student housing:

Can I afford my own apartment?

#2 Examine finances, break down costs

It’s easy to underestimate the expenses of owning your own apartment.

Here are the most important costs:

Rent
Security deposit
Moving costs
Renovation costs (paint, wallpaper, flooring)
Acquisition costs (furniture, household appliances, cookware, plants, etc.)
Service charges (electricity, water, sewage, garbage collection, janitor)
Telephone and Internet costs
Insurance (liability and household insurance)
General living expenses (groceries, clothing)

All this has to be managed financially. Therefore, it is important that you find out about your BAföG entitlement early on. The current BAföG maximum rate is 861 euros per month.

The BAföG rate is made up of:

Basic needs
Housing allowance
Surcharge for health and nursing care insurance

#3 Allow enough time for search & preparation

What is actually the ideal apartment for students? It’s not that easy to figure out, on the contrary: most of the time it takes several weeks or even months until you get the feeling: “Bingo! This apartment and no other!” There are several reasons for this: First, the housing market is very competitive, depending on the location; even rooms in shared flats and apartments are hard to come by.

In university towns in particular, there is always high demand shortly before the start of the semester: that is, when a large number of students are acutely looking for an apartment or a room. Unfortunately, it often happens that the rent increases drastically during these times. Then even single rooms can cost hundreds of euros more than usual.

Be smart and start looking for a student apartment early. A good time is, for example, as soon as you have received the acceptance letter for a place at university. Use the momentum and excitement of that acceptance to jump into the apartment hunting adventure!

You should plan enough time for these steps:

Search for advertisements
Comparison of the different advertisements with each other
On-site visits to inspect the apartment
Preparation of important documents (copy of identity card, tenant’s self-disclosure, certificate of freedom from rental debt, proof of income if applicable, SCHUFA information)

Since students often do not have sufficient income to rent an apartment, landlords require a rental guarantee in these cases. This can be issued by your parents or a bank, for example, but you should clarify this before looking for an apartment. The location of an apartment is also very important for students.

#4 Check the location

The advertisement of an apartment for students sounds too good to be true? The rent is low, the rooms top maintained, the location quiet. But wait – where exactly is the apartment located? That’s often the crux of the matter. An apartment on the outskirts of town may be ideal for stressed commuters who drive to and from work.

However, an apartment for students should meet other conditions. Proximity to the city center is recommended, so that the campus can be reached quickly. It is also important that shopping facilities and recreational areas such as parks are close by. After all, you can’t study around the clock. Speaking of studying: To be able to study at home and write homework with concentration, you need quiet, at least in one room. Therefore, look for a quiet location, avoid busy main roads and other traffic hotspots as much as possible when choosing an apartment.

#5 Read advertisements critically

Unfortunately, there are also now and then fake advertisements on the relevant platforms for apartment hunting. In the best case, people waste their time looking for student housing. However, there are also worse cases where prospective buyers are financially scammed or even harassed. You can avoid all this if you check the advertisements thoroughly and critically.

This is how you can recognize fake housing ads:

Missing or insufficient contact details: Is an address or even last name missing? This is one of the biggest warning signs. If even when asked, no more than the e-mail address is given, you should be suspicious.
Transfer in advance: First transfer the deposit, then you will receive the apartment key in the mail: Take from such “offers” distance, so as not to fall for a scam.
Shifting communication: The supposed landlord wants to switch to a private communication channel like WhatsApp as soon as possible? In and of itself, no problem, but an indication that you should become alert. It is better to stick to verifiable correspondence, such as via the real estate platform or via e-mail, depending on which communication channel was the first in your case.
Strikingly low price: Nothing speaks against making a bargain and if that succeeds: Congratulations! But some offers are just too good or too cheap to be true. If in doubt, compare offers that make you wonder with other advertisements and the local rent index.

#6 View the apartment as early as possible

No matter how well the apartment is described in the ad and how nice the pictures of the rooms are, what matters is how you feel on the spot. Therefore, you should personally visit every apartment that is potentially suitable for you. This may be time-consuming, especially if your place of study is somewhere else. Nevertheless, this check is important, since any deficiencies are only visible on site. Viewing appointments are therefore opportunities that you should definitely take advantage of.

#7 Inform yourself about alternatives

There are some exciting alternatives to student housing. For example, moving into a shared room or a room in a student dormitory. Student apartments such as those at Staytoo are also becoming increasingly popular. Get an overview of the different types of housing to find the right one for you early on.

Still feeling overwhelmed? Get advice

In the university cities, there are various counseling centers that can help you find housing or a free room. For example, you can apply for a room in a dormitory at the Studierendenwerk or Studentenwerk. Apartment providers such as Staytoo are also available to you, in person and on site. Book your free viewing appointment now!

We wish you good luck in your search for your student apartment and would be happy to welcome you in one of our apartment buildings.

Get an overview of the cost of student life here. Try out delicious, healthy recipes to recreate. Here we’ve collected tips on how to be a successful student in the pandemic and how to find friends in a new city. Speaking of a new city, discover the pros and cons of living in a Kaiserslautern accomodation now! Would you rather live in a shared apartment than a student apartment? In this guide you will find tips on how to find student housing in Kaiserslautern.

You want to study and are thinking about moving into our Kaiserslautern student accomodation? We will show you the advantages and disadvantages of living as a student in an apartment – so you can make the right decision for you!

Living in a student accomodation in Kaiserslautern: Advantages

First, we would like to introduce you to the advantages that, in our opinion, make living in a Kaiserslautern student accomodation attractive.

#1 Easily find a connection

At Staytoo, you will meet new exciting people from day one – you decide when and to what extent. Staytoo apartments are home to a number of students from all over the world who, just like you, are embarking on the adventure of studying. Time to get to know your neighbors in the Kaiserslautern accomodation!

Article Tip: 10 Tips for Finding Friends in a New City

#2 Fully furnished apartment

Furniture is expensive for students, or buying it through classified ads involves a lot of driving. On top of that, you had to spend time setting up the furniture or pay even more money for craftsmen to set it up. Although there are also furnished rooms in shared apartments, the furniture in them is often outdated and colorfully thrown together.

In the student accomodation Kaiserslautern you don’t have to worry about all that. On the day you move in, you will find a fully furnished, well-kept interior whose individual pieces harmonize perfectly with each other as part of a design concept. You will also have a kitchen with an extractor hood in the apartment, where you can cook delicious, healthy recipes on the very first evening. For this you have a double hob and a modern microwave.

#3 No lease & all additional costs included

Typically, leases include a minimum lease term that lasts between 12 and 48 months. This can be a very long period if, for example, you find that you don’t want to study in the city of your first choice after all. The student residence Kaiserslautern is much more flexible! You can already move into our accomodation with a rental period of 6 months and see how you like it.

In addition, all cost are included in the Staytoo flat rate. So you can fully concentrate on your studies, you don’t have to worry about costs for electricity, water and heating. Fast internet is also included in the price.

You can even sublet your apartment, for example when you are traveling or doing an internship abroad. However, you will need our permission to do so. Feel free to contact us with this request!

#4 Gym & other common rooms included

Save yourself a trip to the gym and expensive monthly subscriptions: In the Kaiserslautern student accomodation you can use the in-house gym – also included in the total price! In addition, there is a laundromat, which you can also use at no additional cost. The all-in-one rent covers the unlimited use of all common rooms.

#5 Central Location

Staytoo’s Kaiserslautern accomodation is located in the heart of the Barbarossa city. The nearby Japanese Garden invites you to go for a walk, metropolises like Frankfurt or Mannheim can be reached quickly by car or train. The way to the train station takes no more than 16 minutes on foot, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern can be reached in 10 minutes on foot, to the University of Kaiserslautern you need only 15 minutes by bike. From the Staytoo student accomodation Kaiserslautern you can also reach the local sights like the castle Hohenecken or the castle ruin Beilenstein.

Living in Kaiserslautern accomodation: Disadvantages

In order to give you a fair basis for your decision, we cannot and will not conceal the disadvantages of living in a student accomodation in Kaiserslautern.

#1 Room can only be individualized to a limited extent

An apartment of your own or a room in a shared apartment offer other possibilities of design than a accomodation. If you want to individualize your living space 100%, this will unfortunately not be possible in the student accomodation Kaiserslautern. But of course you are allowed to decorate your apartment. You will be surprised how homely and tasteful you can make your four walls with a few plants and fancy pictures on the walls.

#2 High demand

Apartments in student housing Kaiserslautern are very popular. Therefore, we recommend that you make a booking request early, otherwise you may be disappointed. Therefore, do not wait until shortly before the beginning of the semester to move in. The sooner we know about your desired apartment, the better!

#3 No housing solution in the long run

Very few people want to live in a small apartment permanently. And they don’t have to – after all, study time is limited. It is also common to change places of study, for example, at the beginning of a master’s degree after a bachelor’s degree or when you change your course of study.

However, if you are looking for a permanent place to live after graduation, an apartment in a student accomodation in Kaiserslautern is not suitable for you.

#4 Little space for visitors

An apartment in a student accomodation Kaiserslautern is of course not comparable to a spacious apartment. That’s why visitors have less space or rather less visitor space. However, this should not prevent you from meeting up with friends and having a good time together in the accomodation.

#5 No balcony

When designing and building the apartment buildings, we focused on providing you with an excellent living experience at an affordable price. Therefore, unfortunately, our apartments do not have balconies. Nevertheless, you can always enjoy some fresh air by going to the nearby Japanese Garden or the Kaiserslautern Wildlife Park, both of which are close to your modern home.

Listen to your gut

When deciding on the right living environment, you should always listen to what your intuition has to say about it. Take a few minutes and feel into what you might feel comfortable with. Also, periodically read through our pros and cons above to gain more clarity. Looking for more info on Kaiserslautern student housing? Click here to visit our student apartments Kaiserslautern subpage!

With head and heart into student life: Find out what costs are involved in studying and which insurances are important for students. Here you will find tips for studying during the pandemic and vaccination offers for students. Also read tips on how to find friends in a new city and what healthy recipes you can cook in your staytoo apartment.

Health insurance, liability insurance, disability insurance: Insurance costs money, but some of them are indispensable. We show you which insurances for students you need and what you should consider.

Health insurance

Why is health insurance so important for students?

Health insurance protects you against health risks such as illness or injury. It covers you for costs that occur due to illness and related treatment costs. Without health insurance, the costs, which can quickly run into four or five figures depending on the treatment, would fall on you.

Article tips: 5 tips for studying during the pandemic & vaccination offers for students.

What do I have to consider?

Health insurance is a legal requirement for every citizen in Germany. This health insurance obligation also applies to EU citizens who study or work here. If you come from a non-EU country, you will need proof of health insurance in your home country. Students with parents in Germany are covered by their family insurance free of charge until they reach the age of 25.

Private liability insurance

Why is liability insurance so important for students?

Liability insurance covers you if another person is injured as a result of your actions. The spectrum ranges from an accidentally knocked over flower vase to a traffic accident with permanent consequences.

In addition, liability insurance also fends off unjustified claims for damages against you by checking whether and to what extent you can be held responsible for the damage. Without such liability insurance, you would not have this protection and would have to pay out of your own pocket for third-party damages, which can run into the millions depending on the severity.

What do I have to consider?

In any case, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage for liability insurance, which should be 10 million euros for property damage and personal injury. It is also important that your liability insurance covers you if you are injured and the other person cannot pay or has no liability insurance. This is called bad debt coverage. Also be careful about the amount of your deductible. Ideally, you should not pay a deductible, but even if you do, it should not be more than 150 euros.

Household insurance

Why is household insurance so important for students?

If something breaks in your apartment or apartment, or if there is water damage, for example, the household insurance will take effect. Of course we are aware that you treat your living space with care, but something can always go wrong. If you are then uninsured, it can be really expensive. Therefore, take appropriate precautions with a household insurance.

What do I have to consider?

Before taking out an insurance policy, check whether you are already insured with your parents. If you do not have your own household, this is quite common. Nevertheless, you should clarify this with your parents or the insurance company that your parents have taken out.

If you take out your own household insurance, make sure that risks such as fire, water damage, burglary, natural hazards such as storms and hail, and vandalism are covered. Another important factor is the amount of coverage. An additional tip: Have your bike insured for a small additional charge so that you receive compensation in the event of theft. By the way, you are covered by your parents’ liability insurance until you are 30 years old.

Accident insurance

Why is accident insurance so important for students?

Accidents happen in a fraction of a second, but in the worst case they can have consequences for many months or even your whole life. Accident insurance pays for your treatment or care if you need rehabilitation, therapies or care because of the accident, because you are physically and/or mentally impaired. Fortunately, accident insurance also covers you if the consequences of the accident are not permanent.

What do I have to consider?

When it comes to the sum insured, you should pay attention to two things: the amount, which should be at least 500,000 euros for full disability and at least 100,000 euros for partial disability. The progression is also important. This means that in the event of (partial) disability, you will not receive the agreed coverage amount once, but an additional percentage-based supplement depending on the degree of disability. Insurance with progression usually costs a little more, but in the event of an accident, this arrangement will pay off. Experts recommend a progression of 350 percent.

More tips on insurance for students

Buying additional insurance for students depends on your living situation. Do you have a car or a motorcycle? Then a car insurance makes sense, of course.
Don’t be lured by particularly low insurance premiums. Always check the fine print and ask your parents or other people with experience in insurance for advice.
Disability insurance can be worthwhile right now, because the younger you get into it, the cheaper it is.
Keep an eye out for insurance combination options: Popular combinations include disability insurance with a private retirement plan.
Set reminders before insurance policies expire with your family. This applies to health insurance (up to 25 years) and liability insurance (up to 30 years). Ideally, set yourself a reminder 3-6 months before your co-insurance expires and actively seek your own insurance options.
Use comparisons on the Internet to find the right insurance for you. But don’t rely on just one comparison, rather use several portals and compare the conditions in detail. This is time-consuming, but it will save you a lot of trouble with insurance companies that don’t deliver what they promise.

Admittedly: The topic of insurance is a rather dry one and there are far nicer things you can do in your time as a student. But it is also important for students to deal with health insurance, liability insurance, disability insurance, etc., in order to be protected during your studies and sustainably for the future. We hope that our information could help you and wish you all the best!

Learn what student life costs and discover our healthy recipes for students! Read tips for students to find friends in a new city.

Healthy recipes for the student kitchen can be prepared deliciously, quickly and cheaply. We show you our top recipes from the Staytoo kitchen! Recipe amounts are always for two people, so you can save leftovers or eat with someone else.

#1 One-Pot Pasta: Italian Wonder Pot

You’ve always known it: Cooking is most convenient and effective when you throw all the ingredients into one pot. With the One-Pot Pasta “Italian Wonder Pot”, this behavior becomes an officially recognized recipe – and the dish is delicious, too!

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Gesunde_Rezepte_für_Studenten_One_Pot_Pasta_Italienischer_Wundertopf

Ingredients

250 g pasta (tagliatelle, spaghetti, farfalle, etc.)
300 ml vegetable broth
100 g spinach
1 can of tomatoes (chunky)
1 red onion
1 clove of garlic
10 black olives
5 dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon crème fraîche
1 tablespoon parsley, fresh or frozen
2 basil leaves
2 tsp. marjoram
1 tsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. chili (fresh or as flakes)
pepper
salt

Preparation

Put pot with water, add vegetable broth and heat. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Then chop tomatoes and olives. Heat olive oil and add chopped ingredients along with spinach, sweat over high heat for 2 minutes. Deglaze with canned tomatoes.

Add the sautéed vegetables to the simmering vegetable broth along with the pasta. Simmer everything together for at least 10 minutes (a little longer for softer pasta, depending on desired al dente texture).

Drain water, mix in crème fraîche, marjoram, tomato paste, season with salt, pepper and chili. Garnish with parsley and basil, then serve.

#2 Vegan curry with rice

With this curry you heat up the body properly: chili and exotic herbs such as coriander you cook in minutes together a colorful fireworks for the taste buds.

Preparation time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

150 g jasmine rice
200 g chickpeas (can)
300 ml coconut milk
200 ml vegetable broth
2 tomatoes
1 carrot
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
1/2 broccoli
1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/2 lime
1/2 chili (or dried flakes)
30 g mushrooms
30 g peas
20 g young spinach
20 g ginger
10 g cashews (cheaper alternative: roasted, low-salt peanuts)
5 g coriander
5 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation

Bring water to a boil, simmer rice for about 20 minutes with lid closed. Meanwhile, peel and dice onion and garlic. Dice ginger, chop cilantro. Wash peppers, broccoli and carrot, remove stalk from broccoli and peppers. Cut broccoli into florets, peppers and carrots into strips. Clean mushrooms and cut into thin slices.

Heat coconut oil in frying pan. Sauté diced or sliced vegetables for 3 minutes, adding garlic after 2 minutes so it doesn’t burn. Add curry paste and coconut milk. Add mushrooms and chickpeas, simmer on low for ten minutes, stirring gently several times.

Cut lime in half, add lime juice, chili and soy sauce, season to taste. Garnish vegan curry with cashews or peanuts and serve the dish.

Tip for vegetarians: If you want a vegetarian curry, you can add a fresh egg while cooking and let it fester.

#3 Beetroot with Mozzarella

In recent years, the healthy beetroot has made it from an unpopular winter vegetable to the star of celebrity chefs. Beet is bursting with minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron, and also contains plenty of vitamins such as vitamin C, B-vitamins and beta-carotene.

Combined with mozzarella, the low-calorie vegetable becomes a delight and ideal for quick, healthy recipes. And best of all, the stove can stay cold for this delicious recipe. It’s quick and tastes great, so it’s a must in your student kitchen.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

200 g beetroot (balls in a jar or vacuumed)
180 g mozzarella in small balls
50 g pine nuts
10 g sesame seeds
5 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp honey
salt
pepper
basil leaves

Preparation

Quarter the beet balls, cut into wedges and drape in small bowls. Add mozzarella balls, pine nuts and sesame seeds. In another small bowl, mix dressing of olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Drizzle the composition of beet, mozzarella etc. with it and serve. The dish is ready!

Tip: Cooking together is more fun! That’s how you find friends in a new city. Learn more ideas here if you want to meet friends.

#4 Salmon with Zoodles

Zoodles are the healthy alternative to classic, high-carb pasta. They’re especially easy to make from zucchini and carrots. Inexpensive zoodle makers for student kitchens are already available for under 10 euros, and you can also use them to zoodle carrots, cucumbers, red cabbage, etc.

Article tip: What does student life cost?

Salmon is something you treat yourself to less often as a student, but it can be a highlight dish, for example for one Sunday a month. Plus, the other ingredients are inexpensive. In addition, salmon is an absolute brain and workout food with its high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content. Therefore, it should not be missing in the collection of your recipes.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

250 g pasta (tagliatelle, spaghetti, farfalle, etc.)
250 g salmon fillet (frozen)
150 g zucchini
100 g carrots
1 cup of cream
1/2 lime
50 g butter or 5 tablespoons olive oil
salt
Pepper

Preparation

Defrost salmon at room temperature, meanwhile heat salted water in a pot. Wash zucchini and carrots and turn into zoodles. Add zoodles to the water as soon as it boils.

Thoroughly rinse the thawed salmon with cold water and cut into cubes. Heat pan with butter or olive oil and sear salmon for 4 minutes. Deglaze with cream and simmer on low for 5 minutes, add a little lime juice. Remove zoodles from heat and drain zoodle water.

Tip: You can also save the zoodle water as a carrot zucchini stock for another dish. Just let it cool, transfer to a bowl, and chill in the fridge for your next cooking session!

Serve zoodles and salmon fillet together with a lime wedge per plate, season with salt and pepper.

#5 Paella

The perfect leftover meal for student cooking when you have leftover sausage and rice! But even so, this classic dish from Mediterranean climes is a nutritional bomb that you can easily prepare with just a few ingredients.

Preparation time: 80 minutes

Ingredients

200 g chorizo sausage (alternatively Vienna sausage or smoked tofu)
125 g seafood (mussels, shrimps or similar)
175 g long grain rice
300 ml poultry or vegetable broth
100 g peas (frozen or canned)
1 yellow bell bell pepper
1 red bell bell pepper
1 red onion
1 clove of garlic
1 lemon
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp turmeric
pepper
salt

Preparation

Defrost the seafood (if frozen), put the water on the stove. Cut the chorizo or sausages into slices about 2 cm thick. In parallel, once the water boils, add rice and cook for about 20 minutes (depending on the variety).

Meanwhile, peel and finely chop garlic and onions. Cut bell bell pepper into fine strips.

Heat olive oil in large pan, saute seafood, peppers and onions for about 5 minutes, add garlic for 2 minutes max. Add rice and turmeric, mix well and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Let paella simmer on low heat for 30 minutes until cooked through.

Add seafood and peas to keep them crunchy. Cut lemon in half and add half of the lemon juice to the paella. Season with pepper and salt, cut remaining lemon into two wedges. Garnish paella with parsley and serve with the fresh lemon wedges.

More tips from our blog

We hope you enjoyed our student cooking recipes.

Here you will find great recipes for summer drinks
how to save money as a student
and how to make studying easier during the pandemic!
Click here for an overview of vaccination options for students

Most of our time is spent back at home, or in the apartment. Social activities are still possible, online as well as offline. We have collected some nice ideas to help you meet or get to know friends in everyday life.

Events in small groups

Private meetings and events are allowed, even in Corona-Times. This way you can build up or maintain friendship in a small circle.

However, please observe the usual safety precautions when doing so. Ideally, each participant should test themselves in advance. If you would like to get vaccinated, you can find vaccination options here.

Now let’s move on to event ideas for meeting friends!

Bake cookies in the microwave (with recipe)

What could be better during the winter season than the nostalgic smell of freshly baked cookies? Invite friends over and bake some delicious cookies together in the microwave. Can’t do it, you think? Try it out with this recipe.

Chocolate cookies in the microwave

150 grams flour (fine)
100 g soft butter (room temperature)
75 g sugar
50 g chocolate sprinkles
1 pinch of salt
2 tsp. milk
1 tbsp. cocoa

Mix butter, salt and sugar together. Add milk, flour, chocolate chips and cocoa and knead the mixture into a dough. Form balls from the dough (about 6 pieces). Place balls on the baking paper, making sure there is enough space between them. Place in the microwave at 450 watts for 3-4 minutes – done! After baking, let cool for 5 minutes and enjoy.

Tip: Test after three minutes to see if the cookies are already crispy. Sometimes it goes faster depending on the thickness of the dough.

You can also refine the dough, for example with cinnamon, vanilla or coconut flakes to add another flavor note to the cookies.

Mulled wine evening

You don’t need more than a big pot, a few delicious ingredients and a good mood to have a great mulled wine evening in a sociable atmosphere. Of course, it’s especially quick if you buy the mulled wine ready-made. But you can also make it yourself very easily and within 15 minutes. Cheers!

Make mulled wine yourself

1 liter of red wine (semi-dry or sweet)
3 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon (organic)
1 orange (organic)
7 cloves
2 star anise
50 g sugar

Gently heat red wine with spices and sliced fruit for 1 hour, but do not boil. Then turn off the heat and let the mulled wine steep for half an hour. If necessary, warm it up just before drinking. Add a small shot of rum or amaretto if needed.

Parlor games (3 presented)

Board games always go, you can also combine several activities with each other and thus combine a mulled wine evening with a nice board game and provide cookies to go with it. It could hardly be more cozy! We present you 3 original board games:

#1 MicroMacro: Crime City

MicroMacro: Crime City received the critics’ prize at the “Spiel des Jahres 2021” award. Rightly so! The game is great fun to start right away, as the rules are very quick and easy to learn. The game task: Solve together exciting criminal cases on a large game board. You puzzle together, so do not play against each other. But that doesn’t detract from the fun: You’ll need all your powers of deduction and analysis to fight the crime.

Play time: approx. 15-45 minutes

#2 Privacy

Meeting friends for the brave: This spicy game brings excitement. No slippery secret remains hidden, you should be aware of that. At the same time, the psychological component is appealing, because it’s a matter of correctly assessing your counterpart on the basis of frivolous or bold statements. If you are ready for it, Privacy is highly entertaining and a great party game.

Play time: approx. 50 minutes

#3 Sebastian Fitzek, SafeHouse

Sebastian Fitzek is considered Germany’s most successful thriller author. Now the master of suspenseful entertainment has launched a game that is a card and board game in one. Similar to MicroMacro, you will work together again in SafeHouse – but not as detectives, but as witnesses to a terrible crime. Will you manage to escape the violent perpetrator in time and be accepted into a saving witness protection program? Find out on a nerve-racking game night!

Play time: approx. 30 minutes

Online games

You want to stay at home and still meet friends? Virtually no problem, and you can play with the following online games.

#1 Cards vs Humanity

Cards vs Humanity is the fan translation of the US card game Cards against Humanity. In the game, which by the way is downloadable for free under the Creative Commons license both in the original and in the German translation, the goal is to complete a gaping sentence with an answer. The person who gives the most tasteless answer wins. So simple, so dorky, but crazy funny. Be sure to try it out in video chat via Jitsi or Zoom!

Play time: approx. 30 minutes

#2 Chess

According to science, chess trains the memory, increases the IQ and prevents Alzheimer’s disease. Besides, and this is probably the most important reason, it’s great fun! There are many free games on the Internet, which work without registration or login. In addition, there are online communities where you can meet chess partners. Allow enough time for each game, however, because chess and haste do not go together.

Play time: approx. 100-150 minutes (average)

#3 Poker

A classic that never goes out of fashion. With poker games, time flies in a flash, there are quite a few free portals where you can play game after game. Strategy and luck intertwine in this legendary form of the game. Try it out and see if you have a knack for poker.

Play time: depends on the variant (Texas Hold’em, Five Card Draw etc.)

Get creative

Do you feel like painting your own picture in an interactive workshop? That’s exactly what you can do at ArtNight. Choose a motif and have the drawing material sent to your home. In the online workshop you can paint away, each at home, but online networked with other hobby painters and an experienced painter.

ArtNight is just one type of event, there is also ShakeNight (mixing cocktails), BakeNight (baking) and PlantNight (making wreaths, plant walls, etc.). Also search for online live cooking to enjoy cooking together virtually.

Tasting

Whether it’s beer, wine, gin or (non-alcoholic) cocktails, online tastings have boomed in the pandemic. The tastings cost no more than a visit to a bar, but are just as much fun.

Article tip: What does student life cost?

You get the tasting drinks sent home in the mail. A spirits expert then guides you through the tasting in the evening. Together with others, you’ll then enjoy fine drops.

Meeting friends: More ideas in everyday life

Looking for more inspiration for your free time together? Try these ideas with friends, too!

Movie night: Open your laptop, turn on the streaming service and watch an exciting movie or series. Together and with a bag of popcorn, it’s a lot more fun than alone. Some streaming services also offer online parties, during which you can watch the movie online with your friends regardless of location and chat with them.
Pen-and-screen: By now, almost everyone is familiar with pen-and-paper games like “The Black Eye” or “Dungeons and Dragons.” But they can be played not only in the living room, but also via video calls, provided the dice are rolled honestly.
Online Escape Rooms: Let’s get away, but not from the laptop, but from a predicament. Become a puzzle master together and escape from an ominous place by cracking puzzles. The hours in front of the screen will pass in no time!
Walk: Doesn’t sound that exciting at first, but have you ever consciously walked through the neighborhood you live in? Or beyond its borders? Try it out with friends and exchange impressions. It can be very exciting!
Photo shoot: The upgrade to walking, so to speak: Take a camera or simply the smartphone with you and stage a photo shoot. Back at the apartment, look for the best pictures, evaluate them and upload them to social media.
Hiking: Nature is relaxing and calming. It’s also a lot of fun to hike in it. Plan an excursion for several hours, tie up your bread pack and hike through the nearby forests, mountains, etc.

Even under the current restrictions, there are ways you can meet friends in everyday life – be it offline or online. We hope you enjoy trying out the ideas!

Also read our tips for finding friends in a new city. Learn how to make studying in the pandemic easier.

The 2G rule is being enforced at more and more universities – where they haven’t been closed completely. This means that only vaccinated/recovered students will be permitted to attend lectures. If you want to be in the first group, you can get your vaccination at various places in the city as a student.

Student vaccinations: costs and benefits

COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone and therefore also for students. As a vaccinated individual, you benefit from the vaccination in the form of self-protection on the one hand: the risk of developing COVID-19 with severe symptoms is reduced to 5% according to the latest scientific findings. In addition, vaccinated individuals are less infectious. Furthermore, in accordance with the 2G rule, you can also participate in public life and thus attend lectures and other student events.

Read also our article: Studying in the pandemic: 5 tips

You can get your vaccination here

Below you can find the main places where you can get vaccinated. To ensure the vaccination appointment goes without a hitch, remember your:

ID card or passport
Vaccination passport
Doctor’s certificate if you should be prioritised due to a previous or existing illness

Remember: Don’t forget to wear a FFP2 mask to your vaccination appointment.

Are you a foreign student? Then please consult your uni or a doctor for vaccination options.

#1 Family doctor

You can book a vaccination appointment with your family doctor. Many doctors with surgeries now also offer online booking of vaccination appointments.

#2 Company medical officer

Do you have a part-time job in a company? It may be possible for the company medical officer to vaccinate you.

#3 Mobile vaccination team/bus

There are mobile vaccination clinics/buses in numerous towns and cities offering quick, uncomplicated vaccination even without an appointment. However, plan in enough time, as the demand for vaccination has increased considerably in the course of the fourth wave. You should also not arrive ten minutes before the mobile vaccination clinic closes, but rather, ideally, one or two hours earlier.

#4 Local vaccination campaigns

Vaccination campaigns are currently being held in shopping centres, courts, train stations, etc. Find out about local campaigns and the times via your city’s website. The same thing applies here as for the mobile vaccination teams: due to the high demand, you should plan in enough time, as you may have to wait a couple of hours.

Where can I find vaccination centres?

The vaccination centres across Germany closed at the end of September. However, the possibility of a general vaccination obligation is currently being discussed. Some cities are thus already reopening vaccination centres in order to offer their citizens a broader range of vaccination options.

Info regarding the booster

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends that all citizens over the age of 18 get the booster shot once the first vaccination has expired. However, young, healthy people should check with their family doctor whether a booster is actually necessary.

Many students were vaccinated in summer or autumn and now want to get the booster, as the third shot is known. However, priority should be given to older people, people with existing medical conditions and healthcare personnel. The BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are used for the boosters.

Vaccination services continue

Vaccination teams right across Germany will continue to provide various vaccination services throughout December and at the beginning of 2022. Nevertheless, you should begin familiarising yourself thoroughly with the topic now and find out where you can get your vaccination as a student.

Stay healthy!

Your Staytoo team

Find out how studying in the pandemic works and how to find friends in a new city!

COVID-19 has been restricting our lives for months now. However, there are things that you can do to make the situation more agreeable for you. Below, we offer some tips for successful studying during the pandemic and taking good care of yourself at the same time.

Furnish your apartment well

The Staytoo apartments are designed in such a way that you have your own bathroom and kitchen as well as a living and sleeping area with a workspace. Give the rooms your own personal touch – bring them to life with plants, decorate the walls with pictures and brighten up the bookshelf with decorative elements to suit your taste. This is how you create a feel-good zone, which is all the more important the more we spend time indoors.

Bring structure into your day

Many lectures are still being held online, whilst universities in some German states are already open again enforcing the 3G or 2G rule. However, the situation can change at any time if the number of cases continues to rise. Whether you can continue to attend lectures in person or have to switch over to online alternatives: bring structure into your day.

Get up at the same time every day, eat your meals at the same times and go to bed at the same time every night. This will help you establish a morning, afternoon and evening routine for yourself. Set yourself fixed study and work goals for the day and don’t forget to plan in sufficient breaks and leisure time. Go out regularly for fresh air, for a walk or for a bike ride. Cook healthy meals and take your time.

After just a few weeks, these routines will develop into good habits. This form of self-management will provide you with stability in these turbulent times.

Focus on the positive

Staying up to date with the latest developments is naturally very important in these times. However, an excess of negative news can really drag you down. As such, it is just as important to feed your mind with positive impulses. That includes, for example, comedy films, a gripping book or a fun evening with friends.

Tip: Find out how to find friends in a new city.

Seize the opportunity to put the pedal to the metal where your studies are concerned. Watch tutorial videos, take online courses, do everything that helps you progress academically rather than consuming too much news.

Seek support

Emotional and mental support is helpful for making it through this challenging time successfully. This can be in the form of online courses for mental health or with the help of coaches.

Don’t be afraid to ask for psychological and psychosocial counselling. Many universities offer these services, and there is no reason to feel ashamed.

Quite a lot of students are dealing with mental health issues at the moment, as studying during the pandemic is anything but simple. Ask for all the help and support that is available to you.

Expand your circle of friends

The current restrictions mean we are all at home more than usual. That doesn’t mean that you should feel isolated though. You can still meet new people and expand your circle of acquaintances and friends during the pandemic – including four-legged ones. We are talking about dog sitting apps, where you can create a profile. Similarly to a dating app, dog owners in your area can then contact you to take their dog for a walk or pet sit for them. This lets you get out in the fresh air, help someone out and make new contacts.

Or you can become active in social media groups on topics that interest you. Regional groups are recommended here, as it also offers you the possibility of meeting up locally.

Tip: We have complied some tips here for how you can find friends in a new city.

Studying during the pandemic: stay confident (extra tip)

This is perhaps the most important tip: forge a positive mindset for yourself. The decisive foundations for this are beliefs. COVID-19 will be over at some point. Believing in that and staying confident will give you the strength you need for your daily life. We believe it too and, above all, we believe in you and how successful you will be in your studies!

Living expenses for students can be anything from several hundred euros to more than a thousand euros per month. Below, we offer an insight into the most important costs and share some valuable tips for saving money.

Accommodation costs

Depending on where they live, students in Germany spend between €150 and €380 on accommodation on average. A box room in a shared flat in Munich can cost as much as a two-room apartment in Nordhausen, Thuringia – or even more. Then there are the additional costs for furniture and fittings if the room or flat is not furnished. Rent increases can also be expected in boomtowns like Leipzig.

The price structure here at Staytoo is clear and transparent. We offer you an all-in-one package at an affordable, fixed price based on the selection of your fully furnished apartment and including all additional expenses and Internet.

Travel costs

Whether it’s travelling to uni, going to the library or taking a trip home: most students have travel costs to cover. Those with their own cars usually have higher costs to cover than those who take public transport.

However, it also depends on the type and frequency of use. An Intercity Express (ICE) train ticket for €150 can be the equivalent of three full tanks of petrol. Generally speaking, it is important to keep track of travel costs and ideally keep all receipts and tickets, as travel costs, like accommodation costs by the way, are tax deductible.

Food

The cliché of frozen pizza as a student’s staple diet no longer applies: a study conducted by the University of Maastricht and constata revealed that 82% of the respondents cook several times per week or even on a daily basis. Only 18% of students regularly eat ready meals.

The myth of fast-food deliveries every day is also not true: just 3% of students use delivery services multiple times per month. As such, healthy eating is at a premium. No wonder: according to the study, Diet and Cooking was the second most-important area of interest behind Sport and Leisure.

A healthy diet is varied – and does not come cheap. At least €150 per month should be included to guarantee a nutritious diet.

Leisure and free time

After work comes play: hard-working students deserve a hard-earned trip to the cinema or a bar. Money must also be planned in for sports club memberships, clothes and household needs. Healthcare similarly brings with it additional costs: medicine, plasters, etc. As such, at least €100 per month should be planned in for pastimes and leisure activities.

Looking to make friends? Here are 10 tips for finding friends in a new city!

Insurance

Even students need a range of insurance policies. The most important are:

Health insurance
Personal liability insurance
Household contents insurance
Accident insurance

Other insurance may be required in individual cases, like car insurance, for example. Some students also take out disability insurance.

Depending on the insurance company, the costs can easily reach three figures. There is some relief where health insurance is concerned: Students under 25 are covered free of charge by their parents’ dependent insurance. Students under 30 are covered free of charge by the family liability insurance in accordance with the same principle.

Communication and learning aids

Nowadays, a laptop is an essential piece of equipment for every student. It doesn’t need to be top of the range, but students won’t be doing themselves any favours at uni by picking the cheapest option. Video lectures, zoom calls, work with different tools: the laptop should at least meet minimum requirements – decent models are available for €500-600.

Tip: High-speed Internet is available in all Staytoo rooms. Simply log in to the Internet service provider ask4 and start surfing. Guest access is also available for your visitors.

No student should be without a smartphone either. Okay, it’s not technically a learning aid, but it is essential for communication, not only, but of course also among young people.

The same things apply as for laptops: please don’t just look at the price tag, but instead check that apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, etc., run smoothly and without any issues. Cost-effective mid-range models are available from €250.

Other important items and costs where communication and learning aids are concerned include:

Mobile phone contract
Optional Wi-Fi dongle for the laptop
Pens, folders, notebooks, writing pads
Laptop bag / briefcase
Backpack
Textbooks
Subscriptions for online tools
Television licence (household fee)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are practically non-existent in Germany. However, some universities do charge administration or semester fees, generally in the region of a few hundred euros per year. There are also some usage fees, for example for the library.

Costs when studying: an opportunity to manage your finances

Most students don’t have much money available to them in this stage of their life. This can be annoying but can also be a fantastic opportunity to manage your finances properly. Seize the opportunity to install a finance app and develop a feeling for your expenses and income from your part-time job. We wish you a lot of success and cost-effective studies!

Tips regarding costs as a student in summary

Special expenses are tax deductible. If this is your first qualification, you can deduct up to €6,000. However, to do so, you must be able to provide proof of taxable income in the same year.
Travel costs can also be deducted – €0.30 per kilometre and €0.35 per kilometre as of the 21^st
Keep household accounts in order to keep track of costs and identify potential savings.
Second-hand items are a wonderful way to save money – pre-owned clothing, dishes, textbooks: such items are considerably cheaper when bought second-hand.
Also look for platforms with free offers: The Internet is full of portals and groups where people can swap and give away items, even fresh food.
Eat in the refectory (Mensa): Students can get nutritious meals there at low prices.
Compare service providersfor mobile Internet, telephone, insurance, etc. There are a range of service portals which allow you to compare services and companies in a matter of minutes and save money by changing.
Look out for discounts and special offers: Avoid impulse buys and instead pay attention to which products are on offer when shopping.
Submit a tax declaration: Tax declarations aren’t only good for those in full-time employment – students can also deduct special expenses and get a rebate from the State.
Students receiving German student loans (BAföG) can also apply for exemption from the household fee.

Free but still useful: Here you can find information about vaccination offers for students. Here you can find more tips on studying during the pandemic.

Ever year Americans celebrate a National Holiday called Thanksgiving. This feast is celebrated annually on the 4th Thursday of November. The story behind this holiday, that is very dear to every Americans heart, takes us back to the 17th century. There are various theories regarding the reason behind the celebration, but the most common one tells the tale of the pilgrim fathers, that landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and took part in a three day feast with the Native Americans in order to celebrate the extraordinarily good crop, which they had had that year. In this sense, Thanksgiving is comparable to our Erntedankfest.

In the pictures below we share our favorite Thanksgiving recipes with you, so if you’ve always wanted to cook a real Thanksgiving feast, you will now have access to amazing recipes.

For the main course we recommend:

As a side dish we recommend a sausage cornbread stuffing…

… and meshed sweet potatoes:

You can find the complete recipes and cooking instructions on our Facebook profile.

Enjoy the food and companionship with friends & family and last but not least #StayThankful, #StayTasty!

Slowly the trees are changing colour and the weather varies between beautiful autumn sun and muddy rainy weather. Just the right time of year to bake a delicious pumpkin cheesecake. The recipe is a bit more sophisticated, but it’s definitely worth it – promised! What could be better than a fluffy cheesecake in combination with pumpkin? Give it a try:

Ingredients

For the filling:

450g Hokkaido Pumpkin
200g sugar
800g cream cheese
3 eggs
50g cream
1 vanilla pod
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

For the cake base:

150g wholemeal butter biscuits
70g butter
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tsp ginger powder
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

For the topping:

100g smoked almonds
140g sugar
3 tbsp water

Instructions:

1.) Cut the pumpkin in half, then remove the seeds and dice. Boil the dices for about 20 minutes until they are soft.

2.) Preheat the oven to 175°C (top/bottom heat), grease the springform pan and then wrap crosswise with aluminum foil.

3.) For the base, place the biscuits in a blender, grind finely. Add butter, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp grated ginger and 1 tbsp nutmeg. Put this mixture into the springform pan, press firmly and then refrigerate.

4.) Puree the pumpkin for the stuffing and chill. Beat the 300g cream cheese with 100g sugar until frothy. Add the rest of the cream cheese and sugar and stir until creamy. Add the eggs one by one and stir with the pumpkin puree and mix until creamy. Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthwise, remove the pulp and add 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp grated ginger and 1 tbsp grated nutmeg to the mixture and mix.

5.) Fill the fatted pan with water, fill the dough into the springform pan and then place in the fatted pan. Bake in the hot oven on the lowest rack for about 60 minutes until the dough hardly wobbles when the mould is gently shaken.

6.) Remove the cake from the oven, remove the aluminum foil and let the cake cool on the cake rack for 2 hours. In the next step, cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

7.) For topping, the smoked almonds must be coarsely chopped. Next, caramelise the sugar with water in a pan and then add the smoked almonds. Put this mixture on a baking paper sheet and refrigerate. Before serving, break into pieces and spread generously over the cheesecake.

Pumkin Cheesecake

The most beautiful New Year’s traditions of the world

In Germany we usually ring in the new year surrounded by our friends and/or family, while watching the famous “Dinner For One” Sketch, trying to predict the upcoming year by pouring lead into water and getting mentally prepared for the fireworks. But how does the rest of the world spend New Year’s and what bizarre or sweet traditions do other countries have in store?

The right underwear

First things first, you need to pick the color of your underwear in order to start your year right. This is a tradition in a lot of countries, but is handled differently in most of them. In Brazil for example, the people commonly wear white underwear to symbolize a pure start into the new year. However, in Spain, China and Italy everyone wears read underwear as a lucky charm for the upcoming year. By using this guide: https://livingmividaloca.com/new-years-eve-underwear-color-meaning/ you can choose the right color for yourself. So, choose wisely!

12 Grapes

Spanish people literally stuff their faces on New Year’s with grapes, exactly 12. They have to be eaten after midnight while the bells ring 12 times. During each bell strike you have to eat one grape and if you still have grapes left over in your mouth after the 12th ring, you will supposedly be haunted by bad luck the entire next year. So be careful!

Jumping into the new year

Other than the Spanish, the Danish have a tradition of basically taking a leap into the New Year. Everyone gets on a chair or a table at 12 o’clock on the dot in order to jump down from them. In Brazil there is also a tradition, that has to do with jumping. The people, that live by the ocean go to the beach at midnight and jump over seven little waves. Each wave you jump over gives you the opportunity to make a wish.

Ashes to ashes

In order to make sure, that your New Year’s wishes come true, the Russians write those on a piece of paper, which they burn afterwards. The ashes of your written down wish will be put in a glass of champagne, which you drink at midnight. On that note, cheers and a Happy New Year!

All around the world

In Columbia they have the perfect tradition for anyone who loves to travel, because it supposedly brings you luck, if you run around the block with an empty suitcase and simultaneously guarantees that you are going to travel a lot during the New Year.

Round is the new squared

On the Philippines it is a custom to sit around a round table on New Year’s and focus on everything being round. The round table is decorated with round fruits, the people give each other coins and wear dotted clothing.

Knock, Knock

In Scotland as well as in Greece it is an old custom, that the first person, that enters your home after midnight on New Year’s Eve can either bring you luck or be very unlucky. If the person is a friend or a member of the family and carries gifts, it is a good omen and means that you will be lucky in the next year. If the person that arrives is a stranger and does not bring anything with him, you will supposedly be haunted by bad luck.

These were just a few of our favorite traditions and customs, that people honor all over the world. We hope you had an amazing New Year’s Eve with friends and family. Even if you did not do any customary rituals, we wish you a lot of luck for the upcoming year and that you have the energy to make all your good resolutions a reality.

The term Halloween originates from the term All Hollows‘ Eve and describes the rural customs on the evening and the night before All Saints Day, meaning the night between the 31st of October and the 1st of November. These customs were originally most common in Irish Catholicism, but to us they are mostly present in the United States. The reason for Halloween being so popular in America is, that the Irish emigrants maintained their customs after having emigrated into the United Staetes, in order to commemorate their home country. You will find even more Fun Facts regarding Halloween in the following article.

Next to Christmas, Halloween is the second most commercialized Holiday in the United States. Americans spend about 6.9 Billion Dollars on Halloween, with most of the money being used for candy, costumes and parties. Surprisingly a lot of the money also goes towards buying costumes for pets.
The average American eats about 1.6kg of candy on Halloween, which equals the weight of a small Chihuahua.
The heaviest pumpkin worldwide was grown in the garden of a man from Switzerland: It weighed almost 1,054kg, which is almost as much as a small car.
Halloween finds its routes in Ireland. In Ireland they started celebrating “Samhain” 2000 years ago as the end of the harvesting period, because supposedly a lot of ghosts were roaming the earth on the last day of the year.
Samhainophobia is a phobia describing a persistent, abnormal and unwarranted fear of Halloween or Samhain.
In 1991 Halloween first arrived in Germany. During that time there was a war in Iraq and the Germans thought it wouldn’t be suitable to have a giant carnival celebration. However, the toy stores were filled with costumes, so the industry was in need of a different holiday where people would dress up.
In England Halloween is only celebrated with family and close friends and is known as “Nutcrack Night”. The name comes from the custom of laying nuts in the fireplace with your significant other and seeing whether they are going to explode. If they explode with a loud bang, they are supposed to promise genuine love.
The “Dia de los Muertos” is often wrongly titled as the Mexican version of Halloween. The confusion, however, is very understandable since Halloween as well as el Dia de los Muertos focuses on scary costumes and the general topic of death. The difference lies in the fact, that Halloween is based on the fear of death and ghosts and the Mexican Day of the Dead welcomes death with open arms and even celebrates it.
In Japan they don’t celebrate Halloween, but the so called O-bon in honor of the deceased ancestors. On this holiday in the middle of August families get together in their hometown every year in order to maintain the grave of their family and to call on the ghosts of their deceased family members. In some villages, they place lanterns on rivers in order to light their ancestors the way back to their realm.
The Spanish bake so called Huesos de Santo (Bones of the saints) and lay them on the graves of the deceased.

Happy Halloween and #StayScared!

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Heuristi.ca – AI tool catalog for discovery and organization

Explain Paper – Automatic explanation of scientific papers

Tavily – AI for notes and knowledge management

Otter.ai – Real-time transcription of conversations

AI tools for better learning

Jungle – Generates index cards from web articles

Quizlet – Flashcards and interactive exercises

Kahoot! – Live quiz platform for education and training

Elicit – AI-supported research assistant

AI tools for writing, text and data processing

Speechify – text-to-speech tool

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Grammarly – Text correction and style improvement

Zotero – Literature management with AI help

Wolfram Alpha – Scientific and mathematical calculations

AI tools for creativity and innovation

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Versy – AI-based video production from texts

Kaiber – AI video generation from images and text

Leia Pix – 2D to 3D images and motion effects

Midjourney – AI-based creative image generation

Tome – AI tool for storytelling and presentations

AI tools for time management and organization

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Todoist – Task manager with priorities and team features

Reclaim.ai – AI tool for intelligent time management

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ChatGPT texts belong to the company OpenAI

Further problems with the use of ChatGPT in schools, colleges and universities

Outdated knowledge

Incorrect information

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Wahl-O-Mat

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Read party programs

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Tips against the winter blues

More light

Vitamin D

Exercise and sport

Maintain your social network

Healthy eating

Consciously enjoy the winter

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Start preparations early