Next Career
Whether you're having second thoughts about your degree program, considering switching majors, or even thinking about dropping out, we're here to help!
It’s completely normal to have doubts while you’re in college. Whether it’s about choosing a major, the challenges of college, or your own future prospects—every student goes through periods of uncertainty. This page is here to help you understand these doubts, reflect on them, and make the best decision for yourself.
Doubts about your studies are no cause for concern—they’re a sign of personal growth!
Doubts are a natural and important part of the learning process. They offer an opportunity for self-reflection and can help you gain a clearer understanding of your goals and aspirations. Every decision you make—whether to stay in your program, switch majors, or pursue a different career path—is valuable and contributes to your personal development. We want to help you find your own path and support you in planning your next steps with confidence and awareness.
Doubts about one’s studies are thoughts and feelings of uncertainty that can arise during one’s academic career. These doubts can affect various areas and vary in intensity. Typical examples of academic doubts include: doubts about your choice of degree program, where you wonder whether your program is really the right fit for you or if there’s a better alternative; questions about your own ability, where you worry whether you can meet the demands of your program; and uncertainty about the future, where you wonder whether your degree offers the right career prospects.
Academic overload: You feel overwhelmed by the coursework, exams, and the general pressure of college. You may be having trouble understanding the material or meeting the required standards.
Dissatisfaction with your major: You realize that the major you chose doesn’t interest you or doesn’t meet your expectations. Perhaps you feel that the course content doesn’t align with your interests, or that you’d be better suited to a different field of study.
Personal and family reasons: Personal problems or family obligations can also lead to doubts about your studies. Perhaps you’re having trouble balancing your studies and family life, or personal events are affecting your concentration and motivation.
Lack of career prospects: You’re unsure whether your degree program offers the career opportunities you want. You may doubt whether you’ll have good job prospects after graduation or whether your chosen career path will be fulfilling for you in the long term.
Doubts about your studies shouldn't be viewed solely in a negative light. They can be an important step toward self-reflection and personal growth. Doubts allow you to question your goals and desires and gain a clearer understanding of what you truly want. This reflection can help you make informed decisions and chart a more focused path forward.
Counseling and Support Services - next>>career
If you need support, a comprehensive counseling network of Spoho staff and external partners is available to you. Your trust is important to us, and we ensure that you can seek counseling in a safe and secure environment.
If you’re unsure which counseling service is right for you and your situation, please feel free to contact the Student Advising Office first.
Our counseling approach is independent of third-party interests. Your concerns are at the center of our counseling. We are focused on supporting you and your individual needs. Together, we develop solutions—with an open-ended approach and a person-centered focus. You decide for yourself if and when you’d like to take advantage of our counseling services. Participation in our counseling services is voluntary and is tailored entirely to your needs and schedule.
Of course, we treat all content discussed during counseling sessions as strictly confidential. Information of any kind will not be shared with third parties.
Internal Support Services
The Spoho Career Service is the central office dedicated to supporting the career development of students and graduates. It is divided into two divisions: recruitment and career counseling.
Spoho Career Service
The work of the Family Service Office includes, on the one hand, providing personal counseling and information services, and on the other hand, contributing to university development through interdisciplinary projects.
Psychological Counseling is available to all students at the German Sport University Cologne and offers professional counseling and support for academic difficulties and personal issues that affect their studies.
Link to follow
Gender & Diversity Management at the German Sport University Cologne refers to the conscious management of diversity among the university’s members. The focus is on ensuring equal opportunities and participation, regardless of gender, nationality, age, disability, family status, (social) background, or sexual orientation.
The Center for Physical Education Teacher Education offers counseling on a variety of topics and for various target groups:
Coaching for teacher education students: Dr. Jeannine Oehlert
General counseling: Dr. André Poweleit
Advice on teaching practicums: Franziska Mendler
Contact and Office Hours
External Support Services
The Learning Advisory Service at the Cologne Student Services (KStW) addresses various study-related topics that many students encounter on a daily basis. Using appropriate strategies, we help boost motivation, improve concentration, and thereby specifically enhance your ability to work effectively. We support you in developing your own weekly routine and study organization. We discuss plans for preparing for your exams, presentations, or term papers. And we guide you in finding solutions for dealing with anxiety and stressful situations.
As a student, you’re often financially dependent. It’s not easy to make progress in your studies while also managing your finances and dealing with the various requirements of institutions, such as health insurance providers. The Social Counseling Service at the Cologne Student Services Organization can advise you on which support services are available, how and where to apply for them, and which social welfare regulations you need to be aware of in various areas.
Psychological counseling is tailored to students’ lives: We understand the challenges that can arise in everyday student life. We’ll help you find a way forward and rediscover your skills and strengths. Our counseling services are subject to a strict duty of confidentiality.
Various organizations and institutions in Cologne help students reorient themselves and create a roadmap for the future. The “umsteigen” initiative is aimed at both students who are unsure about their studies and those who have dropped out.