Nadira Dorn
I think it’s great that I don’t have to commit to a specific job yet. The fact that my studies open up various career paths gives me security.
This is what I did before I went to the university
Graduation from high school
My degree programmes
German Studies and Communication Studies (6th semester, Bachelor’s degree)
My plan
Semester abroad in Nice, bachelor’s thesis, internship, master’s degree (literature and media practice)
How did you start your studies – and what advice would you give to first-year students?
To be honest, I started without much of a plan – I was interested in the content and just let myself be surprised. Now I love it! So my advice to first-years would be: don’t drive yourselves crazy. Everything is new at the beginning, you feel overwhelmed and wonder how you’re going to manage everything. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to take a little longer. The experiences you gain in the process are ultimately much more valuable than a perfect schedule.
What helped you most during your studies?
Interacting with other people, especially students in higher semesters. You quickly get the feeling that everyone else is much better or achieves much more, but then you realise that you’re all in the same boat. That’s why I now work as a tutor. I want to relieve first-year students of this stress.
Was it difficult to fit in?
Not at all! There are lots of opportunities to meet people during orientation week and in seminars. Of course, you sometimes have to approach other students, but it’s totally worth it.
What does ‘student life’ mean to you?
There’s so much more to it than just lectures and seminars! I moved to Essen to study because I really wanted to be part of student life. There are lots of events and parties – the student councils put in a lot of effort and organise lots of things! I actually spend most of my time on campus, for example with friends in the canteen or outside in the sun on the campus lawn. Essen also has an amazing amount to offer. The typical neighbourhoods like Rüttenscheid and Südviertel are really cool! There’s always something going on at home, too, and that’s what makes student life so special for me. In my shared flat, we have people from different degree programmes – it’s really exciting and never boring. I love it!
What do you appreciate about university?
The language courses and the opportunity to spend a semester abroad through Erasmus! I really wanted to learn French and knew that I would only really learn a language if I was around other people. So I decided to go to Nice. I can also attend a French course at the university free of charge to prepare myself a little – and then it will soon be time to go!
(Janina Balzer conducted the interview with Nadira in April 2025.)