During school, the further professional career still seems to be far in the future. But at some point, every high school graduate once faced the question: Should I study? For many still-students this is the first big, important decision in life. For years, the steadily growing number of students shows that it attracts the most young people to the university. In the same breath as the question of yes or no, the question immediately arises: what should I study? The possibilities are endless and the overview difficult to keep. Whether it pays to study and how to find the perfect degree program for yourself …

Studying: Is Studying Worthwhile?

The decision Pro or Contra study should not be premature or reckless. You make the first step into your professional future and lay the foundation for your career. But with a big decision and an important step always big questions and many doubts are connected. Above all, is the study worthwhile?

A topic that has many opinions and different advice – often depending on your own experience. Anyone who has loved their own studies, completed their desired studies and thus found a great job, will also advise others to study. On the other hand, if the study is less well-remembered, greater criticism can be expected. Whether studying is worthwhile and whether it is the individually right way, therefore, only everyone can decide for themselves. That does not make it any easier, but it’s better than relying blindly on the well-meant advice of outsiders.

The following questions ask many prospective students, and answering them can help you make the right decision for you.

What does a study cost?

Of course, the costs of studying depend on different factors, such as the university city, the living situation or the leisure time. Accordingly, the monthly expenses can vary greatly from student to student. The range extends from about 500 euros in the worst case to well over 1000 euros in the worst case. On the other side, a student receives an average of 864 euros per month. In addition to the support of the parents, BAföG or a student job, there is also the opportunity to finance the study through a scholarship or a student loan.

What do you earn after studying?

Of course this cannot be answered in a lump sum. Basically, the salary is above all the industry and the employer. But studies show that an academic degree leads on average to a higher earnings. Thus, the expected net hourly earnings of men and women with university or college degrees are higher than those with vocational training.

How well does a career start?

The advantage of training here, of course, lies in the chance to be taken over directly by the company. But even studying is a good prerequisite for succeeding in the job market. For example, in Europe academics are the group that is the least unemployed. Particularly good chances for a quick and smooth career entry after graduation are those students who have gained practical experience or made contacts through internships or as a student trainee.

Do you need the study?

It is not absolutely necessary to study for every profession, and so it may not be very useful for you to spend several years at the university, if at the end your chances or your qualifications in the job hardly change at all. The decision should therefore always be tailored to your career aspiration.

Choosing the right degree program

You have thought a lot and have come to the conclusion that you want to study? Then there is the question to answer which study program is best for you. Answering this question, however, presents many high school graduates with a great challenge. Who is sure what he wants to do for the next 50 years? This disorientation is further supported by the fear of making a wrong decision and being unhappy with the choice of study program.

You are not alone with this uncertainty. Only a few are really 100 percent sure from the beginning which study course you are looking for. But the uncertainty can also be overcome – these steps can help you to find a suitable study program.

Recognize your strengths. Your choice of subject should always include your strengths, talents and preferences. Since you will be intensively involved with the topic for years, it should be something that is yours and can also provide you with fun. You can find your strengths and talents, for example, through …

… your hobbies. What do you like to do in your freetime? Which topics can you deal with for hours and tell others about it?

… your school subjects. Which subjects are you especially enjoying? Do you like to deal with numbers or are you more interested in art and music?

… your family and friends. How does your environment value you? What strengths do others see in you?

Clarify the conditions. The beginning of a study also always means a change. When you choose a specific course of study, you should always clarify the conditions that accompany your decision. First and foremost, it is about …

… your requirements. Do you bring the required grades for your degree program? Do you like to work independently and scientifically?

… your place of residence. Do you live at home or move? Is your university located in another city or possibly abroad?

… your finances. What are the costs for home, semester contribution and books? How can you cover the costs?

Inform yourself. Even if you like a program spontaneously, you should not decide prematurely. Remember that it will have a significant impact on your future. You should therefore inform yourself extensively in advance. Good opportunities to get information about degree programs provide …

…the Internet. How does the homepage of the university describe the program? Which modules are in the course catalog?

… the study counseling. Does the program continue to meet your expectations? Did you gain new insights?

… the fellow students. What are the experiences of others who already attend the degree program? Can you learn from it?

Free choice of study choices

There are countless degree programs in various fields, with different emphasis. On the one hand, really everyone can find a suitable course of study, which corresponds exactly to his ideas. Unfortunately, the variety and the endless alternatives make the choice especially difficult – no one wants to make a mistake and in the end have to ask himself what he missed everything.

Luckily, there are other offers for help: If you still find it difficult to choose a suitable subject, or if you simply do not have the inspiration, there are now numerous online tests that can help you choose your studies. To make your search easier, we have five free study-choice tests.

Borakel.

The Borakel is an online consulting tool of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. It is a very detailed test that should take you about 90 to 120 minutes. Based on her previous knowledge, your preferences and your motivation, Borakel develops suggestions for possible study programs and forwards you directly to pages with relevant information.

What-I-study.

This is a self-study orientation study developed by the universities of Baden-Wuerttemberg. About a test of interest and three ability test a study recommendation and at the same time also possible occupational fields are suggested. Again, you should take at least 90 minutes to work on the test in peace.

Study-interest test.

This self-test was developed by ZeitOnline and the European Rectors’ Conference. In six areas of interest you have to assess activities on a scale of 0 to 100. From this, you will receive a personal profile along with suitable proposals for study programs.

Self Assesment.

The Association of North Universities developed this self-test on various fields of study. You can find out if social sciences, economics, law, natural sciences or linguistics are the right direction for you. From the result possible subjects can be derived. The test lasts between 90 and 120 minutes.

This test emphasizes entertainment rather than scientific results. That’s why you should not base your decision on this test alone. But the questions can make aspiring students think, which is also a very important feature.