Be Empowered!

Program for winter semester 2025/26

This overview of all “Be strong!” courses lets you discover the program for winter semester 2025/26 and identify the all-subject and subject-specific courses and courses in ancient languages that will aid you in your studies.

You will need to register if you would like to take part in the “Be strong!” study support program. Please use the contact form, indicating your preferred courses.

All-subject courses

Starting in November 2025

Procrastination

Intensive workshop delivered in person and online, made up of three parts that build on one another (3 x 3 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: November 14, November 28 and December 5, 2025, 10:15 am to 1:45 pm on each day
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: many of us are guilty of putting things off. If you leave important tasks to the last minute, however, you will always be under pressure and stressed out, and your performance will suffer as a result. But it is possible to tackle your procrastination behavior and thus learn how to establish an environment that is conducive to more stress-free working. This highly practical workshop will use a variety of exercises to teach you how to handle procrastination and show you some techniques for actively combating it.

During the workshop, we will talk about how motivation and procrastination can be understood and learn what it is that makes us put things off the way we do. We will also explore your own motivation and personal goals and discuss the characteristics of a practicable, forward-looking way of working as well as formulating some effective strategies for dealing with procrastination. You will have the chance to try out the content discussed on your own individual projects there and then.

Examinations? No Problem! (Say Goodbye to Exam Stress!)

Intensive workshop delivered in person and online, made up of three parts that build on one another (3 x 3 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: November 14, November 28 and December 5, 2025, 2:30 pm to 6 pm on each day
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: exam situations can be highly challenging and bring pressure, stress and anxiety. However, there are ways you can influence your view of and attitude toward your exams and thus learn how to approach them more calmly once again. In this workshop, we will discuss how to spot and process exam stress and anxiety, how to overcome feelings of tension and thought loops, what effect forward-looking exam preparation can have and what behaviors can help you in an exam situation.

Time and Self-Management (course I)

Intensive workshop delivered in person and online, made up of two parts that build on each other (2 x 3.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: November 26 (in person) and December 10, 2025 (in person or online), from 2 pm to 5:30 pm on both days
Trainer: Alexander Mertin, business coach and resilience trainer
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: every day, we face the challenge of using our time effectively while keeping our goals in focus. If you want to improve in this area, this workshop is the right thing for you. This workshop provides a practical introduction to the principles of time and self-management. We will discover the most important tools that will help you use your time efficiently and achieve your goals. From tried-and-tested tips and strategies for focused working through to tailoring tools specifically to your needs, the workshop will give you some practical guidelines for fine-tuning your time and self-management.

Time and Self-Management (course II)

Intensive workshop delivered in person and online, made up of two parts that build on each other (2 x 3.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: November 27 (in person) and December 11, 2025 (in person or online), from 2 pm to 5:30 pm on both days
Trainer: Alexander Mertin, business coach and resilience trainer
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Starting in December 2025

Besser lernen (Lernstrategien) (Kurs I, Kurz-Workshop)

Online-Intensivworkshop (1x1,5 Std.)

Zielgruppe: Studierende aller Fächer und Fachsemester
Termine: 02. Dezember 2025, 18:30-20:00 Uhr
Trainer: The Mindful Lab
Teilnehmendenzahl: Es können max. 20 Studierende teilnehmen.

Workshop-Beschreibung: In diesem Workshop erfährst du, wie du dein Lernen effektiver, motivierter und nachhaltiger gestalten kannst. Wir schauen uns an, welche Lernstrategien wirklich funktionieren, wie du deine Motivation stärkst, deinen Lerntyp besser verstehst und Techniken einsetzt, die dir Zeit sparen. Außerdem klären wir, warum guter Schlaf entscheidend für dein Gedächtnis ist – und wie du ihn nutzen kannst, um Inhalte dauerhaft zu behalten. Mit praktischen Tipps und Übungen, die du sofort im Alltag anwenden kannst.

Starting in January 2026

Learn Better (Learning Strategies) (course I, express workshop)

Intensive online workshop (1 x 1.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: December 2, 2025, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Trainer: The Mindful Lab
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: this workshop will show you how to inject more impact, motivation and permanence into your learning. We will look at what learning strategies really work and how you can boost your motivation, gain a better understanding of what kind of learner you are and employ time-saving techniques. We will also explain why getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to your memory and how you can harness the power of sleep to retain content over the long term. The workshop is packed with handy hints and exercises that you can start making part of your daily routine straight away.

Better Learning (course II)

Intensive online workshop (2 x 1.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: 15. Januar und 22. Januar 2026, 18:30-20:00 Uhr
Trainer: The Mindful Lab
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: this workshop will show you how to inject more impact, motivation and permanence into your learning. We will look at what learning strategies really work and how you can boost your motivation, gain a better understanding of what kind of learner you are and employ time-saving techniques. We will also explain why getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to your memory and how you can harness the power of sleep to retain content over the long term. The workshop is packed with handy hints and exercises that you can start making part of your daily routine straight away.

Exam Preparation for Humanities Students

Intensive in-person workshop (2 x 2 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: January 16 and 30, 2026, 11:30 am to 1:45 pm on both days
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: exams in the humanities can quickly become overwhelming, with lots to learn, various formats to get your head around and not much time to play with. In this workshop, you will learn how to structure your learning in a targeted way, lower your stress levels and enter your exam period highly motivated.

The first part of the workshop is all about organizing your learning, managing your time and acquiring and trying out practical learning techniques. We will work together to analyze several kinds of exam—written, oral and term papers—and come up with strategies for tackling these effectively and with sound forward planning.

The second part of the workshop will focus on coping with stress and boosting motivation, teaching you how to recognize the causes of exam stress, what techniques you can use to combat it effectively and what methods will keep your motivation levels up. You will finish by producing your own personal study plan for the final few weeks before your exam, allowing you to enter the exam period well prepared and full of confidence.

Exam Preparation for Natural Science Students

Intensive in-person workshop (2 x 2 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates and times: January 16 and 30, 2026, 2:30 pm to 4:45 pm on both days
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: natural sciences exams are highly challenging because, aside from acquiring a wealth of knowledge, you will also need to master experiment and lab reports as well as practicals. In this workshop, you will learn how to plan for your exams in a targeted way, lower your stress levels and enter your exam period highly motivated.

The first part of the workshop is all about organizing your learning, managing your time and acquiring and trying out practical learning techniques. You will be shown ways of structuring content effectively and retaining what you have learned over the long term. We will also analyze various exam formats—written, oral and experiment and lab reports—and come up with strategies for tackling these effectively and with sound forward planning.

The second part of the workshop will focus on coping with stress and boosting motivation, teaching you how to recognize the causes of exam stress, apply relaxation and mindfulness techniques and boost your motivation in a targeted way. You will finish by producing your own personal study plan for the weeks leading up to your exam, allowing you to enter the exam period prepared and full of (self-)confidence.

Digital Detox for Your Studies: More Focus, Fewer Distractions (course II)

Intensive in-person workshop (1 x 3.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: January 22, 2026, 2 pm to 5:30 pm
Trainer: Alexander Mertin, business coach and resilience trainer
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: in a world full of digital media, where everything is available all of the time, many people find it hard to focus on the essentials and really relax. “Digital Detox for Your Studies” is a power workshop that will help you to reflect on your online habits and be more mindful of your digital media use in three simple steps.

Learn how to understand the effect of social media on your behavior, how to limit your consumption of media and how to make digital downtime a permanent part of your routine. This will enable you to boost your wellbeing, destress and become more productive. Strike a healthy balance between online and offline life!

The power workshop is being held in person.

Oral Exams

Intensive in-person workshop (1 x 3 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: January 23, 2026, 10:15 am to 1:45 pm
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: to follow

Written Exams

Intensive in-person workshop (1 x 3 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: January 23, 2026, 2:30 pm to 6 pm
Trainer: Maira Camacho van den Hurk, psychological study advisor
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: to follow

Starting in February 2026

Destressing Tools for Every Day

Online workshop (1 x 1.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: February 10, 2026, online, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Trainer: The Mindful Lab
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: stress is part and parcel of our lives, but we can learn how to cope with it better. This workshop will give you some practical tools for injecting a bit of calm, strength and balance into your daily routine. We will be trying out a few simple yet effective methods you can start using straight away: breathing exercises, snippets of mindfulness and mental strategies to boost your sense of calm. This will allow you to find the time to take a breather and recharge your batteries, even during jam-packed days. The focus will be on tools you can use every day, i.e. straightforward, easy-to-understand ones that do not take up much time. Whether you are at work, studying or at home, the right techniques enable you to spot stress early, take conscious action to prevent it and top up your energy levels.

Pre-State Examination Booster

In-person and online workshop (2 x 2 hours)

Zielgruppe: Studierende aller Fächer und Fachsemester
Termine: 20. Februar 2026 & 27. Februar 2026, jeweils 11:30-13:45 Uhr
Trainerin: Maira Camacho van den Hurk
Teilnehmendenzahl: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: the state examination is highly challenging, with loads to learn, a long preparation period and the exam itself frequently a cause of nerves and tension. However, developing sound self-organization strategies and improving how you tackle stress can help you sail calmly through the exam period. This workshop will teach you some highly practical methods for improving your self-management, deploying your resources mindfully and preparing yourself mentally for the exam.

We will come together to reflect on the unique requirements of the state examination, devise strategies for organizing content effectively and learn techniques for coping with stress. You will also practice entering exam situations confidently and making targeted use of your strengths. The content of the workshop can be tailored specifically to your own preparation regime.

Self-Motivation

In-person and online workshop, in two parts (2 x 4 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates: February 24 and March 3, 2026
Trainer: Michael Tomoff, systemic coach and positive psychology coach
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: do you sometimes have difficulty finding the motivation you need to dedicate yourself to your work? Do you ever ask yourself how you could structure your objectives better and make your daily routine more efficient? If so, then this workshop is just the right place for you!

Made up of two highly practical modules, this workshop will show you how to boost your motivation and make targeted use of it. Through various exercises and practical tools (drawn mainly from positive psychology), you will formulate effective strategies for mastering your day-to-day study routine with more enjoyment and greater clarity. In between the sessions, you will have the chance to try out your new methods and share your experiences in small groups. This will enable you to make what you have learned an integral part of your daily life.

Positive Mindset and Focus on Your Strengths

In-person and online workshop, in two parts (2 x 4 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Dates: February 25 and March 5, 2026
Trainer: Michael Tomoff, systemic coach and positive psychology coach
Number of participants: up to 12 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: to follow

Starting in March 2026

Develop and Boost Your Inner Resilience

Online workshop (3 x 1.5 hours)

Target group: students of all subjects and in all program-related semesters
Date and time: March 24, 2026, online, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Trainer: The Mindful Lab
Number of participants: up to 20 students can attend each session.

Description of the workshop: the workshop provides you with a highly practical explanation of how you can strengthen your inner resilience and harness it in your day-to-day routine. Participants will learn strategies for dealing more calmly with stress and other burdens, consciously unleashing their own resources and making use of their strengths. Brief exercises and periods of reflection will hone their self-awareness and show them new angles for coping with stress. The aim is to lay foundations—in the form of helpful attitudes and tools—that can then be made an integral and permanent part of their own daily routine.

Subject-specific courses

Faculty of Medicine

Learn from the Human Body—Grow through Experience

Target group: tutors on the dissection course (medicine and dentistry degree programs)
Dates and times: September 23, 25 and 30; October 2, 7 and 9, 6 pm to 7:30 pm on each day
Trainers: Privatdozentin Dr. Stefanie Schliwa, Laura Klose, Privatdozent Dr. Christian Kaiser, Dr. Friederike Schröck, Professor Lukas Radbruch
Number of participants: approx. 30 tutors

Course description: be strong on the dissection course! Across six compact training sessions, tutors will learn how to handle stress, become more resilient and support their peers with empathy. In so doing, they will grow as individuals and help ensure a supportive and positive atmosphere for learning on the dissection course.

Faculty of Arts

Voice, Presence and Self-Efficacy in Your Studies

Target group: humanities students
Date and time: to follow
Length: runs throughout the semester, 2 course units per week over a semester
Trainer: to follow
Number of participants:

Description: the “Voice, Presence and Self-Efficacy in Your Studies” course accompanies your existing studies and is designed to enhance your presence, your confidence in public speaking and your vocal and communication skills. The course will improve your self-confidence, your ability to express yourself professionally and how you come across in your studies, when speaking virtually and when entering the world of work.

Academic Writing with Clarity, Structure and Poise

Target group: humanities students
Date and time: to follow
Length: runs throughout the semester, 2 course units per week over a semester
Trainer: to follow
Number of participants:

Description: The “Academic Writing with Clarity, Structure and Poise” course accompanies your existing studies. It is aimed at humanities students (and is easy for students of law, economics, Protestant or Catholic theology and potentially also those from other faculties to join) and understands academic writing as an integral part of a student’s academic self-efficacy. It tackles typical obstacles such as structuring texts, building an argument, writer’s block, time pressure and self-doubt and teaches strategies for a considered, productive and healthy writing process. The course combines technique training with mindfulness methods, hones participants’ constructive text criticism skills and encourages writing in a mutually supportive peer structure.

Academic Writing: Write Your Own Academic Text in English Stress-Free

Target group: humanities students
Dates and times:
Length: runs throughout the semester, 2 course units per week over a semester
Trainer:
Number of participants:

Description: the course entitled “Academic Writing: Write Your Own Academic Text in English Stress-Free” accompanies your existing studies. It is aimed at humanities students (and is easy for students from other faculties to join) who are writing seminar papers or final theses in English or want to improve their writing skills for an international academic audience.

The course addresses some typical barriers and concerns, such as “Everyone else can write better than me,” “My English isn’t good enough,” “I’ll have to get through the whole reading list before I can even make a start” and “I could really do with a lot more time.” Procrastination and stress before tackling term papers are also covered.

The course is geared toward overcoming these barriers with practical strategies and coaxing out a productive flow in your writing through a combination of silent writing time, inputs, learning stations and discussion rounds. Everything in the workshop revolves around making tangible progress with your own writing assignment (seminar paper or final thesis).

Following the principle of “writing together means writing less on your own,” a relaxed, motivating and mutually supportive atmosphere for learning is fostered and underpinned by a sense of solidarity, peer-to-peer dialogue and professional assistance.

Faculty of Law and Economics

Econ “Finance I” Camp

Target group: BSc Economics students in their first or a later program-related semester, students who took the Finance I examination when it was first offered but did not pass (or are not expected to have passed).
Participation criteria: students who registered for the written examination when it was first offered and can prove that they failed if their first paper has already been marked
Dates: February 23 to 27, 2026
Length: 4.5 hours every day (Monday to Friday)
Maximum number of participants per course: 50 students

Description: The course will help you to revise key content from the Finance I module, close any gaps in your understanding and consolidate your knowledge in a targeted way. Tutors will explain the most important content, supervise group exercises and share handy tips for preparing for the exam.

Group learning is particularly effective, because it is often easier to keep motivated, stay on task and support one another when you club together. A group of learners fosters more engagement and motivation, which makes for much greater learning success.

The camp is designed to give you the best possible preparation for your resit and the courage you need to enter for the exam at the next possible opportunity in order to prevent delays in your studies and boost your motivation levels for the rest of your degree program. Here you will have the opportunity to find a group of learners that suits you and study successfully together.

Econ “Mathematical Methods of Economics I” Camp

Target group: BSc Economics students in their first or a later program-related semester, students who took the Finance I examination when it was first offered but did not pass (or are not expected to have passed).
Participation criteria: students who registered for the written examination when it was first offered and can prove that they failed if their first paper has already been marked
Dates: March 2 to 6, 2026
Length: 4.5 hours every day (Monday to Friday)
Maximum number of participants: 50 students

Description: the course will help you to revise key content from the Finance I module, close any gaps in your understanding and consolidate your knowledge in a targeted way. Tutors will explain the most important content, supervise group exercises and share handy tips for preparing for the exam.

Note

These language courses are offered by the Faculty of Protestant Theology or the Faculty of Catholic Theology.

Some courses start during the very first week of the semester. You will not be able to join later due to the heavy workload involved.

Please see the details of the individual language courses below to find out how to register. “Be strong!” students cannot currently sign up via BASIS.

Courses in ancient languages

Faculty of Protestant Theology

“Hebrew” language course

Target group: students who are preparing for the Hebrew proficiency certificate or want to learn the language
Length: 8 course units per week plus tutorial (2 course units per week)
Days and times: every Monday to Thursday, 6 pm to 8 pm on each day
Spaces: 5–10 reserved for “Be strong!” participants
Link to BASIS: detailed view—University of Bonn

Note: this language course is offered by the Faculty of Protestant Theology and starts during the very first week of the semester.

You can therefore register straight away and do not need to use the “Be strong!” contact form.
Please contact the study advisory team (studium@ev-theol.uni-bonn.de) to sign up.
You will not be able to join later due to the heavy workload involved.

From October 13, 2025 onward, you will also be able to contact the faculty via the “Be strong!” contact form if you prefer.

“Latin I” language course

Target group: students who are preparing for the Greek proficiency certificate or want to learn Ancient Greek
Length: 6 course units per week
Days and times: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 am to 10 am on each day
Spaces: 5–10 reserved for “Be strong!” participants
Link to BASIS: detailed view—University of Bonn

Note: this language course is offered by the Faculty of Protestant Theology and starts during the very first week of the semester.

From October 13, 2025 onward, you will also be able to contact the faculty via the “Be strong!” contact form if you prefer.

“Greek I” intensive course (during the vacation)

Target group: students who are preparing for the Greek proficiency certificate or want to learn Ancient Greek
Length: 8 course units per week
Dates: February 17 to March 27, 2026 (during the vacation)
Spaces: 5–10 reserved for “Be strong!” participants
Link to BASIS: detailed view—University of Bonn

Note: this language course is offered by the Faculty of Protestant Theology and starts during the very first week of the semester.

From October 13, 2025 onward, you will also be able to contact the faculty via the “Be strong!” contact form if you prefer.

Faculty of Catholic Theology

“Latin 1” language course (bachelor’s/Mag. theol.)

Target group: students of Catholic theology (Mag. theol. and Church examination)
Length: 4 course units per week
Days and times: TBA
Spaces: up to 20 students can attend each session.
Link to BASIS: detailed view—University of Bonn

Note: this language course is offered by the Faculty of Catholic Theology and starts during the very first week of the semester. You will not be able to join later due to the heavy workload involved. To register for this language course, simply speak to the teacher during the first session. “Be strong!” students cannot currently sign up via BASIS.