Navigate the (unwritten) rules of your new study
Get ready for a transition from studying in known settings to a new country and study life.
When enrolling in higher education in Denmark, you encounter professional challenges, a new social environment and also a number of expectations for you as a student, which it can be advantageous to know in advance.
This article is particularly aimed at those of you who feel that it is like entering an exclusive circle where all the other students know the rules in advance. Get some of the basics in place so you can get off to a good start.
In this article:
Spoiler alert
Just so we get it out of the way right away: You’re not alone in thinking that everyone else has everything under control when you start higher education! Or that you don’t feel at home, while others flourish.
It’s called illusions of unanimity, and it pushes the boundaries of what you think others are experiencing. Especially if you are an exchange student, you might think that Danish students already know everything in advance. Hot tip: They don´t!
The new is new to a great many of you, regardless of how you deal with it on the outside.
Academic quarter
If it exists at your place of education, one of the first unwritten rules you will encounter is the academic quarter. It may seem strange that classes are scheduled to start at 9:00 and the lecturer doesn´t start the class until a quarter of an hour later. But it is a tradition where classes typically start 15 minutes after the announced time.
The aim is to give both students and lecturers time to settle in. The academic quarter is not an excuse to show up at the last minute, but rather a buffer to ensure that everyone has found a seat and is present from the start of class.
Submissions and deadlines
You may find that lecturers do not coordinate with each other in terms of workload, so you get several tasks with deadlines that are close to each other. You then have to assess how you reach your tasks on time.
It is therefore a good idea to familiarize yourself with the curriculum and learn techniques for effective personal planning. Use calendars and to-do lists to keep track of your tasks and make sure you start your projects in good time. Remember to match the ambitions and output with reality.
Be sure to read: Learn techniques for effective planning while studying
The academic language
Let’s just get this out of the way right away: One of the more challenging aspects of higher education is the academic language. It may seem as if it is “common knowledge” how to formulate yourself academically.
The Ministry of Education and Research has carried out a study which shows that the most frequent reason for dropping out of higher education is the academic level, which is judged to be too high. And IDA’s own studies show that one in five students, who report that they have felt stressed during their studies, are considering dropping out. It must be taken seriously. Pay attention if you start to feel that this is a barrier and that your interest in the education as a whole is diminishing.
The academic language is not one that you encounter in very many places in your daily life. They way it is practiced in Danish educations may also differ to how you are used to. It can therefore be a good investment to learn the ropes. Academic language is very much about precision, objectivity and formal structure. And it is important to have a good grasp of academic language in order to write assignments, participate in discussions and understand specialist literature.
Fortunately, it is a planned part of the programme that you practice it. You get scientific articles as primary and secondary literature on the syllabus. And you can also practice writing academically and get feedback from fellow students in reading groups and when you need guidance from teachers or teaching assistants.
Invest some time in cracking the code and remember that it is a skill that is developed over time and not something you are expected to be good at from day one.
Intro weeks and networking
Intro weeks are intended to ease the transition for new students and settling into the new study. It is a time full of social events, information and introductions. It is completely normal that you find that there is a lot on the schedule and consider to what extent you can bear to be present for everything.
We would encourage you to use the time to get to know your fellow students and start building a small network – it doesn’t just have to be on your team, but also at social events and the like.
The network will be invaluable both socially and professionally throughout your time as a student – this is where you can find support when you struggle to make sense of your studies and find out that they can be just as lost as you are. There is great strength in going through that experience with others.
Related
Be sure to check out “Get off to a good start in your studies”
At the same time, the intro weeks give you insider knowledge about the study and the campus, so you have that overview for later, when you may not have as much time to familiarize yourself with how the exam platform works and who your study advisor is.
Curriculum and preparations
One of the major shifts to higher education is the amount and depth of the curriculum. No one is watching how and how much you study, although there is an expectation that you prepare for your courses. Just remember that there are different levels of curriculum reading.
Get an overview of the reading load when you get the syllabus list and make a plan for which subjects are necessary to understand the lecture, which are good to read up on after the lecture and what you need to know for the exam.
Effective reading and study habits can save you a lot of time in terms of keeping up with your studies. For example, find a good reading room so that you avoid skipping activities when you are sitting at home, and can make it a routine to keep preparation and free time separate.
Go out to read – either the park or a library. You will be able to concentrate in a much more efficient way if you separate home and study.
Study groups and group work
Study groups are an excellent opportunity to find support from others in understanding complex topics. It’s also a brilliant way to share the workload, and it can make difficult subjects easier to tackle.
Maybe no one is ready to admit it in the first few weeks. But you are probably all excited, overwhelmed and looking for answers to a lot of questions that you think you are alone with. You are not alone.
In some study programmes you are divided into study groups, and in other places you have to figure it out yourself. Agree on the rules of the game in the study group and make the workload and participation fit your work style. Make an agreement to meet regularly. It will not only support you academically, but also strengthen your network. Use each other to understand the requirements of the education and distribute resources so that you get through the courses most efficiently.
Social events og balance
Student life is not only about becoming academically proficient. Social events and leisure activities also play a significant role in ensuring that you thrive at your studies.
IDA encourages, especially at the start of your studies, that you participate in social events a little more than you want to for the rest of your studies. We do this because we have learned that many who opt out of the social events end up isolating themselves and are at risk of experiencing stress during their studies. This is very true of international students. Say yes more often, but do it on your terms.
You can participate in social events at your place of study or join IDA for a number of events run by volunteers throughout the country to get a varied and enriching study time.
Invite your study group or someone in your network (house buddies or other) to accompany you to one or two events if you don’t want to participate alone.
Remember that student life is more than books and reading groups.
Titles and roles at uni
The university’s core tasks are to promote research and provide research-based teaching. Here you will come across different titles and roles, which is good to familiarise yourself with, especially when you navigate the study environment or want to get involved in projects with a research focus.
The role descriptions can give you insight into what academic or administrative level the person is at and what help and commitment you can expect from them.
Professor
A professor is a senior academic with research and teaching responsibilities.
The professor title is one of the highest academic titles, and the holder is often the head of research projects or a department at the institute. They can also be supervisors for PhD students.
As leader, the professor is responsible for the operation of the group or department.
Associate professor
An associate professor is responsible for both teaching and research and the supervision of PhD students.
Lecturers typically have several years of experience and can also guide students at both bachelor’s and master’s level.
Assistant professor
An assistant professor is a relatively newly qualified teacher who often works to obtain a permanent position as associate professor.
Assistant professors teach and participate in research projects.
Post doc.
A researcher who has completed their PhD and is working on a temporary research project.
Postdocs contribute significantly to the research environment and can also teach.
Researcher
Researchers main tasks are research and research-based authority service.
There may also be teaching.
PhD-student
PhD students work on their thesis and contribute to research at the university.
They may also teach certain courses or laboratory exercises.
Research assistant
A fixed-term position of a maximum of 3 years, where the person concerned does research and/or teaches.
Assistant lecturer
Assists associate professors and assistant professors with teaching.
Studievejleder
The study counsellor offers guidance to students on composing a study plan and choosing courses, as well as support in connection with their academic development.
IDA is ready to help you – also during your studies
Did you know that you can also use IDA while you study?
Whether it’s cash discounts, social events or professional courses, advice on rights in student jobs and get insights into which companies are looking for you for student jobs and internships. We are here to support you in various ways. IDA offers advice, guidance and resources to help you balance studies with free time and work.
And at IDA Studerende – which is aimed at students and soon-to-be graduates – you can get advice and more information about how we can guide you personally.
