Information on Starting Your Studies #

To make it easier to get started, the faculties and institutes offer orientation events in the week before the lecture period begins. The central page Welcome to Humboldt-Universität lists the central and decentralized events to help you get off to a good start in your first semester.

For the Bachelor’s program with a teaching option, we recommend attending the orientation events of both of your chosen subjects.

Orientation Days of the Geography Student Council #

The student council’s orientation week for first-semester students will take place again in the winter semester 2026/27. Topics covered include:

• Which compulsory and elective courses must be taken in the first semester?
• How do you put together your timetable?
• Which modules must be taken?
• Is language training alongside your studies required?
• Introduction to the institutes and branch libraries of the University Library.
• Help with setting up your HU account and information on the procedure for enrolling in seminars.

The orientation week takes place from 7 to 9 October.

In addition, the student council’s first-semester trip will take place from 6 to 8 November.

Further information: Student Council homepage

First-Semester Mentoring #

First-semester mentoring offers a relaxed setting to get to know your fellow students better, beyond the small talk before and after lectures. You will also receive insider information and pro tips about studying geography. Together with two students from higher semesters, you meet weekly to chat about various topics that may be relevant to your studies beyond the course material, and you have the opportunity to raise any questions or problems. Your mentors are also happy to be your first point of contact for personal issues related to your studies.

How can I take part? #

There is no official registration for the mentoring groups, so you can simply come along to the sessions (see below for room and time)!

Which topics are covered? #

As a rule, there is a central topic each week that is discussed at the meeting. The following list of topics is not exhaustive and is tailored to the wishes and needs of the first-semester students.

• Multimedia at HU (websites, library, etc.)
• Internships and studying abroad
• HEX/MEX/TEX (field trips)
• Study financing and advisory services at HU
• ÜWP (interdisciplinary electives) and student engagement
• Exam preparation

Mentoring sessions in the winter semester 2026/27 #

Dates will be announced at the start of the semester.

Any questions? #

If you have any further questions or comments about the first-semester mentoring in Geography, feel free to email: hannes.brueggemann.1@hu-berlin.de