Learning Conditions and Student Orientations 1986/87

Learning conditions and student orientation.
Topics: 1. Subject of specialization and university admission:
first studies or second studies;
subject combination;
semesters in practice;
application through the ZVS {Center for Assignment of University Openings} or
directly to the university;
degree sought;
type of high school graduation or entitlement to university admission;
type of high school;
attending the reformed upper level;
high school graduation subjects;
average grade in the final report;
education before and activity after high school graduation;
content connection between education or employment and subject.
2. Education choice and expectations of studies:
characterization of situation before start of course of studies;
types of university considered in the decision;
consideration of training possibilities as alternatives to studies;
motives for choice of studies;
extent to which informed about selected questions of college studies;
assessment of the usefulness of change of university,
research practical training, studies abroad, specialization,
studies beyond subject field, practical work experience outside of university,
occupational education, university policy involvement,
rapid conclusion of course of studies,
supplemental qualification through second studies or
doctorate for personal development and improvement of employment prospects;
benefit of university studies;
preference for studies oriented on inclination or on later occupational chances;
characterization of personal major subject and demands posed.
3. Study and work habits:
work technologies mastered regarding optimal learning and studying;
self-assessment of ability to concentrate, personal initiative,
ability to grasp new ideas, joy of discovery, critical faculty,
care and exactness in work;
evaluation of knowledge provided in school;
participation in advance courses or bridge courses;
judgement on the benefit of bridge courses;
attending courses beyond subject;
learning and achievement orientation;
self-evaluation of achievements in studies;
study habits;
fear of examinations and time stress from studies;
regimentation of studies;
course of studies and studies planning;
loss of semesters through organizational rulings such as
insufficient courses available or examinations not passed.
4. Path of studies and course of studies:
intermediate examination completed and average grade;
self-evaluation of one's own achievements in studies;
determinants of result of studies so far;
employment as student assistant or tutor;
time expenditures for various activities related to studies.
5. Questions on student situation in life:
manner of financing studies;
adequate financial means and money available monthly;
proportion of student aid;
employment in the last two semesters;
actual and preferred learning conditions;
judgement on current housing situation;
admission through the ZVS;
existence of local admission restrictions;
reasons for choice of university;
change of major subject;
change of university for applied science;
studies abroad;
interruption of studies;
practical training abroad;
participation in research projects;
planned course of studies and
considered change of subject or discontinuation of studies;
number of university semesters;
number of major subject semesters;
expected number of major subject semesters at conclusion.
6. Contact and communication:
description of frequency of contact with friends outside of the university,
family members, students of one's subject or other subjects, assistents,
foreign students, professors and in the future field of employment as well as
desire for increased contacts with these groups;
satisfaction with contacts with fellow students and instructors;
advice and coaching from instructors;
frequency of use of coaching and counseling;
importance of coaching and advice in selected areas of studies;
participation in activities of selected university groups;
preferred tasks for the student representation;
representation of personal university policy views by the current ASTA;
perceived differences in the university situation of men and women;
demand for improvement in the situation of women at the university.
7. Learning conditions and problems of studies:
judgement on structure, quality and organization of personal course of studies;
perceived social, technical as well as intellectual support in studies;
extent of personal difficulties and stress in studies;
most important change to improve personal learning conditions;
participation in courses for those with the best achievements;
satisfaction with decision for selected subject or
interest in a different education;
aspects of student life;
the significance of studies in the current situation in life or
studies orientation;
evaluation of aspects of student life and satisfaction with being a student.
8. Ideas about university and science:
currently determined as well as desired most important task of the university;
preferred goals of university reform;
attitude to selected forms of university policy protest or criticism;
attitude to technical progress.
9. Role and chances of graduates:
greater responsibility of graduates compared to the general public;
specification of particular characteristics and abilities of graduates
in comparison to non-academics;
attitude to increased income and social status of graduates;
perceived changes of the chances of upward social mobility for academics.
10. Choice of occupation and occupational concepts:
occupational moral concepts and activity areas sought;
occupation prospects;
efforts for a job;
perceived alternatives with job market difficulties.
11. Attitude to various areas of life:
importance of areas of life;
characterization of one's own personality (profile of characteristics);
attitude to employment of women and preference for family or occupation;
interest in politics in the area of general politics as well as
also interest in university policy questions;
attitude to democracy and the political system in the Federal Republic (scale);
evaluation of statements about opportunities to participate in politics;
attitude to selected political goals;
alternative orientations and activities
(participation in groups sharing a residence, citizen initiatives,
peace movements, autonomous work collectives and women's groups);
extent of realization of general social and democratic goals
in the Federal Republic;
self-classification on a left-right continuum in comparison to various groups;
assessment of social differences in the country;
legitimatization of social inequality;
attitude to achievement orientation and the competition principle.