"Stay calm during your doctorate"
Working, researching and teaching under time and performance pressure, maintaining a work-life balance and meeting private demands on the side - the doctorate demands a lot from doctoral researchers. That is why we are offering you the stress management program "Stay calm during your doctorate".
The content of the seminar is adjusted to the specifics of the living and working environment of doctoral researchers and strengthens a healthy and productive way of dealing with potential stress factors. An overview of the seminar contents can be found below. The dates are designed as four-hour training sessions (including breaks).
The goal of the seminar is to provide guidance in the promotion phase and to practice integrating the behaviors learned in the training into everyday life.
Your interest has been aroused? Then participate and register now!
Stress management seminar (in person & online)
Tuesday, April 14, 21, 28, May 5 &12, 2026
09.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. (English)
The first and last dates will take place in person. All others will be online.
Trainer
Dr. Franziska Zenk
Language
English
Location
Poppelsdorfer Allee 31-33
53115 Bonn
Session 1 (April 14, 2026): Room 3.051
Session 5 (May 12, 2026): Room 3.051
Session 2 - 4: via Zoom
Target group
Doctoral researcher of the University of Bonn
Certificate
The seminar is part of the qualification program Doctorate plus
Overview of the seminar contents
Useful information about stress
- How stress occurs and what effects it has
- Getting to know your personal stress factors and strengthening your resources
Mental stress management
- Analysing the “what” and “how” of your thoughts
- Developing helpful mindsets and attitudes
Asserting yourself through communication
- Setting boundaries and saying “no”
- Confident conflict resolution
- Accepting support
Dealing with stress using focused self-management
- Reflecting on your individual value system and setting priorities
- Setting goals, developing a vision and increasing your self-motivation
- Optimum time management and work organisation
Relaxing and letting go
- Learning and practising various methods of relaxation
- Mindful physical and mental exercises for relieving acute stress
Integrating positive experiences into your everyday life
- Finding the right balance
- Rediscovering enjoyment as a resource
Further offers can be found here.
Good to Know
Our events and activities are open to all students at the University of Bonn who hold a valid student ID card. Unfortunately, externals are not able to take part.
Participation is free for students at the University of Bonn. Healthy Campus will cover the costs.
The event spaces are accessible to a certain extent. Should you need help getting in, please get in touch with your named contact in good time so that we can give you the support you need on the day of the event.
The events are also accessible to people with a hearing or visual impairment. If you have specific needs, please contact us in advance so that we can put appropriate support in place.
If you need childcare during an event, please contact the Office of Family Services at the University of Bonn.
We want to foster an environment of inclusiveness and diversity at our events and so are keen for everyone there to feel comfortable and safe. This requires us all to be mindful of the words we use and to avoid saying anything or behaving in a way that is offensive (even if only unintentionally).
Please be aware of the following:
- Use discrimination-sensitive language and respect other people’s self-identifiers (e.g. pronouns).
- Certain topics can trigger emotional overwhelm, so you should be mindful of your own boundaries as well as other people’s.
- If discriminatory experiences are addressed, you should take them seriously and acknowledge them for what they are.
- You can take a break or a step back at any time. If you need to leave the event room and require a space to withdraw to, you are welcome to speak to someone in our office, the event team or the trainer.
More information and tips can be found on the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit web pages.
Your contact person
