Learning Conditions and Student Orientations 1989/90

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; impairment of studies due to large number of students;
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; relevance of employment during the school year 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; difficulties in
house-hunting; 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; personal experience of learning conditions;
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; judgement on the structure,
quality and organization of one´s course of studies; perceived social,
technical as well as intellectual support in studies; extent of
personal difficulties and stress in studies; student aid support under
various aspects; most important change to improve personal learning
conditions; conversations with college instructor about possible
doctorate intents or acceptance of a position as assistent;
satisfaction with the decision for the 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. Attitude to
various areas of life: importance of areas of life; characterization of
society in the Federal Republic as well as at the university by means
of a profile of characteristics; preference for work or family,
regarding respondent as well as partner; 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; personal agreement with basic political
directions; 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.