Young talents in junior studies: A look behind the university scenes!

Young talents in junior studies: A look behind the university scenes!

The junior course at the University of Potsdam is enjoying growing popularity and attracts students from the entire region. Since its launch in 2012, the number of interested students participating in this program has doubled. This development is particularly noticeable as around 20 junior students are taking various subjects in this winter semester 2024/25.

Maja-Jeanne Schmidt is an example of the committed junior students who are interested in the offer. The 17-year-old high school student from Oranienburg, who is a school girl and waitress, attends lectures on state organization law to find out whether studying law is an option for her. Her daily commute to the university is an hour and a half, and despite the long journey, she enjoys the opportunity to take part in the events to gain an insight into student life.

Insights into student life

Theodor Lehmann, also 17 years old and from Berlin-Neukölln, sets himself classic goals for his further education by attending the law lecture. He describes the atmosphere in the lecture hall, with 400 participants, as completely different compared to his school class. This experience is seen by many as a fruitful opportunity to experience student life up close. Linda Fiona Zeidler, 18 years old, not only attended sociology lectures but also attended a seminar in which she gave a presentation. She clearly benefits from taking the train to university and uses the time to read.

The students report a higher workload and the need for self-organization. Linda has structured her schedule to meet the demands, while Max Pfleiderer, 18, who has already attended lectures in economics, finds the challenges of the junior course worthwhile.

Application process and conditions of participation

In order to be able to take part in the junior course, students from at least the 10th grade must demonstrate special academic achievements and obtain consent from parents and school. The application is made by submitting a letter of motivation and a professional assessment, followed by a personal interview for particularly motivated and high-performing candidates.

Bettina Hertrich from the Central Student Advisory Service emphasizes that the students show a wide range of interests and generally achieve above-average academic performance. The junior course itself does not require regular enrollment or semester fees, which makes it an attractive offer for students who would like to gain an insight into various subject areas. Starting your studies can therefore also help you make future study decisions.

Personal experiences and future prospects

The reactions to the junior course are mostly positive, although some students report uncertainty about their participation in dealing with those around them. “It matters how I talk about it,” notes one of the participants. However, all junior students have expressed their desire to continue in the 2025 summer semester. Linda plans to study sociology at the University of Potsdam after graduating from high school, depending on the award of a scholarship.

The opportunity to take exams and acquire credit points that will be recognized in later studies is an additional incentive. The University of Potsdam opened the application phase for the free junior course on May 1, 2025, so that interested students can now take action. The development potential that such a previous education offers could be the key to their future study path for many, says Hertrich.

In summary, the junior studies at the University of Potsdam are a valuable opportunity to gain early experience in everyday university life and to prepare specifically for an academic career. In combination with the ever-growing interest, this could contribute to increased academization of youth in the region in the long term.