Johanna did drama and media studies at the University of Bayreuth. For our Student Survival Kit series, she tells us about the time she nearly dropped out and how her studies raised her awareness of socio-political issues.
Informations
Name: Johanna
Age: 23
Studiengang: Major in drama and media studies, minor in English language and literature (Bachelor)
University: University of Bayreuth
One cliché about my department is that we function as a group, like a separate little cosmos, and do a lot of stuff together. Or that we’re very artistic and creative. That’s definitely true. Not only are there a lot of creative minds in the programme, the students are also into alternative lifestyles and perhaps a bit more openminded. A lot of them are queer, coming to grips with their bodies – and some don't have much of a problem with nudity. Last term, for example, they put on an eight-hour play that was mainly about whether you can bring nudity into the theatrical realm.
What’s your everyday life like?
It varied a great deal for me. During the first semester, I was very busy, but every day was different. Sometimes classes didn't start till 2 in the afternoon, but sometimes I was at uni from 9am to 9pm. I spent less time there in the later years because I didn't have as many classes. But I had to do more revision work – sometimes at weekends. I spent most of my vacations doing homework. It was very time-consuming, partly because the projects often took longer than expected. But a lot of it was fun.
What couldn't you have done without?
The projects. Had it not been for the practical stuff, I think I’d have dropped out. Not because theory didn't interest me. The first two semesters were hard for me. I had to get my bearings at the university first, get my mind around my subjects and write papers. And I was unhappy with my seminars. But we started doing practical projects in the third semester, which brought me into contact with many people in my department. That was very important for me and made a lot of things easier because I could go to classes together with people I knew. Besides, it was really good to have a change of pace from the theory work.
What did you find the most annoying?
Sometimes I wished the programme were a bit better organized. I sometimes had three exams the same day, which was simply too much. I was annoyed that some of the professors took a long time to correct exams, that I had to write so many papers – even though it was good practice – and that I didn't have a general sense beforehand of what aspects of my subjects other universities focus on. I only found out gradually over the course of my studies. I wish I’d had that information earlier on.
My bachelor's thesis was a feminist analysis of the song “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
My friends. Many of them live outside of Bayreuth and it was good to be able to go and see them over the weekend and get away from uni for a while. Bayreuth is also my hometown, so getting away was refreshing.
On the other hand, it did me good now and then to lie around in bed for an evening, switch off my phone and watch a series, or just go out.
What did you eat when you were running low on funds?
Seeing as I’m from Bayreuth, I moved back in with my parents for college. Thanks to them, I had the great privilege of not having to worry about money – and besides, the tuition and the city aren’t all that expensive. My pay as a student assistant covered other expenses.
What question do you hear at every family gathering?
The question: “What are you going to do afterwards?” I generally didn't get the impression they were asking about my future profession, but about doing a Master's afterwards, because many people assume you can't find a job with just a bachelor’s degree so they definitely expect you to do a Master's. Young people often ask me that too.
What are you proud of?
I’m proud of my personal development. I feel more confident in discussions and have the feeling that I’m capable of giving informed answers. I can relate to many social issues now and express myself much better on those subjects. I’m proud of having gained political awareness during my studies. I'm also proud of my bachelor's thesis, a feminist analysis of the song “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. It was a great deal of work and I’m quite happy with the result.
What was the highest price you had to pay for a good mark?
Stress. Little or poor sleep. Whilst working on my final project, sometimes I’d wake up at half past four and couldn't get back to sleep. I had this feeling of: how am I going to get all this done? I was often overwhelmed, drained and tired. Another price I paid was that I’d already forgotten a lot of what I’d learnt because I had memorized so much material in a rush.
University is also about learning for life. What’s your takeaway so far for the future?
An ability to relate more to political issues, and I gained firmer political views. Also, the realization that I can do many things that at first seemed out of my depth. For example, I thought I couldn't write academic papers – and now I’ve mastered that skill. I met a lot of great people and got motivated to grapple with subjects that are new to me. I'm starting my Master's programme in gender and media studies in Bochum now and I’d never have expected to find media studies so interesting. Last but not least, I realize that I’m dying to move somewhere else.
Survival Kit Studies
Where in Germany can one study well? How can you live well as a student? And how do you survive the first student council party and the questions at family gatherings?
Students from different disciplines talk about their experiences at universities in Germany, their everyday life – and what sometimes drives them to despair.
March 2022