At Ostfalia, you don’t have to go far to get support with your day-to-day student life – for example, each of the university’s twelve faculties has a learning coach who can help you overcome challenges in your studies and develop personalised strategies to address your individual needs – these include time management, self-organisation and much more.
One of these learning coaches is Beate Busch, the contact person for students in the Faculty of Computer Science. In this interview, she provides an insight into her day-to-day work and explains how students can benefit from the learning coaching service.
Learning coaching at Ostfalia: a unique concept
Vera Huber, Ostfalia editorial team: Ms Busch, how long have you been working as a learning coach at Ostfalia, and what particularly appealed to you about this role?
Beate Busch: I started as a learning coach at the Faculty of Computer Science in June 2010. Whilst studying Educational Sciences, I specialised in educational and psychological counselling. Working with students is particularly rewarding for me because the decision to study a particular subject and how to structure one’s studies are very individual. This individuality is reflected in the coaching processes and is still the reason why I love my job today.
Are there similar services at other universities, or in what way does Ostfalia have a unique selling point here?
Beate Busch: All students at colleges and universities can contact the counselling services run by the student unions. In addition, there are often students or staff members within the faculties who provide counselling services. Ostfalia’s approach, however, is unique: each faculty is assigned a learning coach. This ensures that professional support is provided right where the studies take place.
Individual counselling – voluntary and confidential
What does a ‘standard learning coaching session’ involve?
Beate Busch: The counselling processes are as individual as the students who seek out learning coaching with their study-related and personal concerns. The sessions are voluntary and confidential. The first step is always to identify the situation and the desired change. Learning coaches ask targeted questions, listen, develop options for action together with the students, and support them through the process of trial and reflection.
What are the most common issues that students come to you with?
Beate Busch: Students often want to talk about their situation whilst studying. They’d like support in organising a daily study routine that suits them and want to prepare for exams. The sessions also frequently focus on experiences of stress, mental health issues and illnesses that affect their studies. Another key focus of the counselling sessions is the final phase of their studies.
What advice can you offer in this regard?
Beate Busch: In the regular evaluations of the counselling service, students repeatedly emphasise that they particularly appreciate the personalised approach to learning coaching and that they do not receive ‘standard advice’. They feel seen and that their concerns are taken seriously. Studying, learning, coping with exams or personal changes all require decision-making and reflection within the relevant context.
What advice would you give to new students for a successful degree at Ostfalia?
Beate Busch: Make the most of what the university has to offer, whether it’s academic support, social networking or even exercise and sport. Ask questions, get involved, and listen to your lecturers and fellow students. Keep your enthusiasm for your subjects alive, or discover them all over again.
Personal and well-connected
What has been your most memorable experience as a learning coach so far?
Beate Busch: After more than 16 years, that’s a very difficult question. I experience so many wonderful moments during counselling sessions, when I’m able to witness how people’s thoughts and feelings change as they shape their own lives. I enjoy sitting in the audience at graduation ceremonies. Time and again, I receive emails or students come to see me in person to tell me how the insights from learning coaching have improved their daily lives and their studies.
Is there anything else that should be mentioned here about learning coaching at Ostfalia?
Beate Busch: The learning coaches in the faculties are always available to discuss any topic. They’re well connected and can refer students to further support where needed. Our work as learning coaches always centres on the students and their individual needs.
