Searching for counselling and support?

Are you feeling like you’re not doing well? Are you struggling with a personal problem, which might not be related to your studies? Or maybe you don’t really know why you’re feeling the way you feel? We can offer a listening ear and help you through:

• The Psychological Counselling Office (PBS) from Studierendenwerk Bremen can support you in clarifying your needs and can accompany you through your next steps. You can contact us in-person, via phone, or via video call. If you want, you can remain anonymous. The PBS offers individual and group support.
• Telefonseelsorge (in German only) offers free (even on a cell phone) anonymous counselling at all time via phone (0800 / 111 0 111) or via email and chat.
• Every day from 9:00PM until 8:30AM, the Nachtwerk Bremen (in German only) offers helps for people in psychological crises and stressful situations. They have a crisis phone number (0421 957 00 310), a night café (Helgolander Straße 73) and overnight accommodations for immediate emergencies.

Studying, working, life, and maybe even Corona, childcare, or a personal crisis? Maye you’ve found yourself thinking “It’s just too much for me!”? We can help you clarify which responsibilities take priority and help you work through them step by step.

• The Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB) can help give you an initial overview of your situation and can help you decide what the next steps are. When needed, we can also connect you with specific advising services for your situation within our network.
• The Psychological Counselling Office (PBS) from Studierendenwerk Bremen offers counselling for psychological stress, feelings of being overwhelmed, and in acute crises. They also offer individual advising and groups for organizing your tasks in order to help you reflect on the organization of your studies and prepare for exams with less stress.
• Are you having problems learning, concentrating, or with time management? The Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLL) offers many program through “StudiumPlus” to help with your self-organization throughout your studies.
• Are you caring for children or other relatives during your studies? The Family Office for Students in the ZSB is familiar with this situation and can offer help.
• Are you studying with a disability or a chronic illness? The you might face additional challenges in your studies. The advising office “Inklusives Studieren” (Studying Inclusively) in the ZSB offers advising for your situation. They can help with a compensation for disadvantages and also offer a self-help group for students.
• Sometimes feeling overwhelmed can lead to (the risk of) addiction problems. The Psychological Counselling Office is also available in these situations. You can find information about counselling as well as questions for self-assessment and additional support programs on their website.

In the past few semesters, you’ve experienced studying differently than before: more at home than on campus, online, with contact restrictions. And it wasn’t just your studies that changed – many other things which make life enjoyable changed suddenly, too. Maybe you feel like you don’t really know other students, like you’re alone. Maybe there’s even some anxiety in play, too. Here you can find some contact people, ideas, and information which can be helpful in exactly this situation.

• Try to build a study group in your degree program. Use the programs offered through StudiumPlus to learn together and get to know other students.
• Connect with AStA or other student organizations to find out about opportunities to create new programs with other students.
• Visit Café International to meet students from other countries.
• Take advantage of the athletic opportunities at HSB or find a club which fits your interests. Try out something new.
• Volunteer. Help yourself and others at the same time.
• Are you interested in culture? The HSB has a number of artistic and cultural programs which you can get involved with.
• Are you from outside of Germany and don’t really feel settled in Germany yet? Our advisor for international students in the ZSB has tips for you.
• Do you have childcare or other familial care responsibilities? Do you have a chronic illness? And you still need to study, too? The advising office “Inklusives Studieren” (Studying Inclusively) and/or the Family Office for Students in the ZSB can advise and support you, as well can connect you with other students going through similar things.
• Use counselling services – especially when you have the feeling, that you can’t accomplish things on your own or if you develop anxiety. The counsellors at the Psychological Counselling Office (PBS) are there for you!

Are you having difficulties understanding the content of your courses, finding motivation to study, or preparing for an exam? Are you having trouble organizing your own study habits? Is it hard for you to concentrate on what you’re leaning? There are many options for getting support at the HSB:

• Throughout the course of your degree, there will continue to be new challenges and responsibilities. StudiumPlus can offer you support with their various courses about studying successfully. Some topics include methods for getting yourself organized or support for designing your own learning strategies.
• Are you studying with a disability or chronic illness?  In many cases, you can get accommodation for taking exams for additional flexibility in your degree. The advising office “Inklusives Studieren” (Studying Inclusively) can help with this.
• Do you want to take a break from your degree? A leave of absence might be a solution for you. The Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB) can advise and work together with you to plan out how you can start studying again later. Part-time studies might also be an option.
• Are you taking an exam for the third time? You’re not alone in this. We can help you figure out why things haven’t gone well in the past and how you can better prepare. Make an appointment with the Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB) or Psychological Counselling Center. The Psychological Counselling Center also offers workshops about fear of public speaking and exam anxiety.
• Maybe you’re not sure what exactly the problem is or who can help. Then visit the Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB). We’re happy to explore this together with you.

Are you constantly disagreeing with your professors or fellow students? Have you experienced bullying, discrimination, or harassment? Are you being treated differently because of your nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other reasons? Are you looking to help someone who is or wanting to learn how to protect yourself? We can help.

• Are you experiencing difficulties with your professors and you don’t know who you can talk to? Sometimes other students are experiencing the same thing. Chat with other students or contact your study representatives: the student society in your faculty (in German only) or the AStA at HSB (in German only). You can also contact the Dean of Students in your faculty.
• The ombudsperson for students and PhD candidates at HSB is the contact person for problem, complaints, and suggestions for improvement regarding studies and exams as well as conflicts with university administration.
• What’s okay? If you have the feeling that people are getting to close to you, making inappropriate comments, or making it impossible to work with you (up to and include bullying), talk with a person you trust or visit the Equal Opportunity Office or the Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB). Together we can take a look at the situation and consider some possible next steps.
• For situations like (sexual) harassment or violence and discrimination based on your gender identity, the Equal Opportunity Office is a confidential point of contact for advice. As a student, you can also contact the Advisory and Information Centre against Discrimination & Violence – Expertise and Conflict Counseling (ADE) directly. For urgent cases of sexual assault or violence, there are also nationwide phone helplines: the helpline for women (08000 116 016) and the helpline for men (0800 1239900). If you’re being stalked or if you’re the victim of another crime, you can reach the victim emergency number of the Bremen Police via 0800 – 2800 110 and the helpline of the organization Weisser Ring via 116 006.

Are you wondering if your degree program was really the right choice for you? Does you degree still fit with your career plans and your personal strengths? Are you struggling with time management? Or are you just generally feeling lost? Things don’t always work out the way we plan. We’re happy to support you as you find your way. On the “Doubting your Studies” website, you can find resources to help you as well as the contact information for the advisors in Career Service and the Central Study Advisory Service (ZSB).

Are you unsure about where and how to finance your studies? Do you want to apply for funding through BAFöG (Federal Training Assistance Act) but are unsure how to do so or if you’re eligible? You’re not able to continue working part-time or your family is no longer able to support you? Are you in a financial emergency? On the “Financing Your Studies” website, you can find resources as well as contact information for BAFöG and social advising through AStA (in German only) and social advising through Studierendenwerk.

• In situations of financial emergencies, you can apply for a loan through Studierendenwerk (under certain conditions). International students can also contact the organization Xenos e.V.. Students with children can also get support through the fund for studying parents.

Do you feel like you don’t have a plan for your future after graduation? Do you see a lot of options and are having trouble making a good decision? Have you lost sight of your goals? Or are you unsure ow how to apply for jobs? Many students have exactly these questions and more. You’re not alone in the uncertainty. We’re happy to support you as you work out your next steps.

• The website “After Your Studies” offers a brief overview of information.
• Career Service at HSB offer individual, confidential, and free advising and workshops for planning your future.
• You can also find information, advice, and events about applying for jobs and starting your career on the Career Service website. There you can also find the link for the HSB job portal, Career Gate.