Deciding which study program to choose can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of possible study programs. Prospective students are also faced with the question of which study program suits their preferences, knowledge and requirements. The Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB) of the individual universities can help with questions about study orientation. In 1974, it was decided in North Rhine-Westphalia that these Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB) would provide advice to prospective students in the future.
A few decades later and the advisory services offered by the student advisors have become very extensive and support prospective students in a wide range of matters. Be it through counseling services on topics such as general student counseling, barrier-free studying, scholarships, student financing, a Master's degree, doubts about studying, counseling for professionally qualified students or even counseling for top athletes. Psychological student counseling is also available at some universities to support students in their search for a new perspective.
In addition to individual counseling services, events, workshops or special events such as the Long Evening of Student Counseling are also offered. They take part in education fairs or school events and much, much more.
To mark the 50th anniversary, the individual Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB) met with NRW Minister Ina Brandes.
Thilo Groll, Head of the Department of Studies and International Affairs, summed up his impressions in these words:
"It was an impressive event, which was prominently attended by the Minister Ms. Brandes and several members of the rectorates of the universities, among others.
All in all, it was nice to see that our professional support for students is being recognized, which went beyond student advisory services.
In particular, of course, the focus was on the student advisory services, which were introduced by law in the 1970s and then developed from a one-man show to over 500,000 contacts per year with special services such as KAoA, psychological student advisory services, Next Career and talent scouts at a high level. One student made it clear how seriously students feel taken by all advisors despite their, in her words, "vague" concerns, and how they are positively surprised and helped along their path in life."