Katharina Sachert is a Sport Science student in her 7th semester. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, she’s going to pursue the Master’s degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
My A-levels were very sports-focused, and I opted for physical education and biology as advanced courses; moreover I completed an additional training degree as recreational sports coach. That was where I got an early insight into the spectrum covered by sport; it roused my interest and I wanted to know more. And also, because I spent my leisure time doing sports anyway.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
I had huge expectations on the degree course. You get the chance to check out just about every discipline and every sports area – when will you ever get such an opportunity again? Some of my expectations remained unfulfilled during stage 1 studies, where many subjects are merely hinted at but never deal with in depth. Your major will give you the opportunity to discuss those things that you’re interested in and that are likely to help you meet your targets. The sports major (in my case: skiing) is a lot of fun and offers an in-depth approach to the respective sport.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
Interacting with different people! In sport, it’s important to remain open for new encounters, and the ability to work in a team plays a huge role. The diversity of sport is what appeals to me so much. The professional field is very wide and not clearly defined; but I consider having many options and not being stuck on one track a great opportunity. Moreover, you can turn your hobby into a career!
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
It still is! Namely, to get it straight in your own mind that there are more important things in life and that everyone should use every opportunity to get ahead and to be happy, despite asking yourself the question what your future career will be and despite the societal pressure.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
There are several fields that I’m interested in. On the one hand, I spent one year working in a healthcare centre as a “healthcare coach” and I could imagine assuming a managerial position in this field, combining praxis and organisation, after completing my Master’s degree. On the other hand, I could also imagine getting a postgraduate degree and/or to continue my education. My focus is very much on the scientific aspects of training. Anything else will emerge during my Master’s degree, which I am going to pursue after completing my Bachelor’s degree.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
Do not let questions such as: “What use is that degree?” annoy or discourage you. The horizon is broader after a degree course today than it used to be after an apprenticeship. Seize the opportunity you’ve been given, be grateful it offers you so many options, and use them well! You choose your own life and the path you want to walk! Do you enjoy working with people and doing sports? If so, then this is the degree programme for you!
Natalja Wiese is a Sport Science student in her 4th semester, majoring in the fields Recreation – Health – Training. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree.
What made you choose this degree programme?
Ultimately, I ended up studying Sport Science because of a spontaneous re-decision, as I suddenly realised that I would like to have a job in future that fulfils me and that I enjoy. And as I did a lot of different sports as a child and teenager, I was determined to have a job where I could be active, rather than simply sit in front of a computer. Moreover, I find it important to work with other people, because it makes me happy.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
My expectations regarding the interdisciplinary character of this field of study, i.e. its diversity and its practical relevance, have actually been surpassed. I also expected my fellow students to be just as open and friendly as they turned out to be. What I did not expect was how casual the interaction with the lecturers would be – this is both pleasant and helpful. I expected the amount of work that you have to invest into one single demonstration lesson or a paper to be less; but you learn something new with every step so that it gets easier and easier as you go along.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
The practical relevance is great, because you get to do a lot of studying together with your fellow students, you share ideas with them, have a lot of fun, and improve your own teaching competence. Because the courses are attended by students from different semesters, you always get to know new people, which is something I feel is very positive for both personal and collective development, because you always have to engage with and work with somebody new.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
I always find it difficult to gauge when to start revising for a written exam in earnest and for which one. How time-consuming revising will be varies from lecture (resp. seminar) to lecture, and you always have to consider which module counts towards the final grade.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I chose the major Recreation – Health – Training, because I’m very much interested in recreational sports. I’d love to work in the field of tourism sports, because I enjoy outdoor sports and would like to inspire others. I could imagine working for a travel sports provider – hopefully in a position where I deal with the practical side of things, even though office work will always be inevitable.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
To have a great liking for sports is an excellent requirement. If, for example, you already work as an instructor, you have a pretty good grasp of what it means to “teach sports”. If, like myself, you don’t have that experience: don’t worry. You will improve your teaching competence through numerous demonstration lessons, and if you do internships in addition to your degree course or have a job that’s got something to do with sports, you’ll gain extensive experience. The major you choose in your degree course depends on what kind of career you’d like to pursue in future. In the third semester, you can choose only one major; until then, you can change your mind a couple of times, so there’s plenty of scope to try things out.
Serafima Sobinina is a senior year student. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme for teaching profession. Kathrin’s other discipline is English and American Studies.
What made you choose this degree programme?
Since I already enthusiastically attended an advanced sport course at school, it wasn’t a difficult decision to enrol in sport science (B.A.) at RUB. In future, I would like to teach sport myself.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
I think it’s great that we have to take practical exams in many modules and that we get to know every aspect of sport science by the end of our degree course. The thing that I don’t like quite so much is that there’s hardly any difference between the B.A and B.Sc degree. It would be nice for the Bachelor’s degree to include more lectures on pedagogy and specialised didactics.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
If I said “the lectures”, I’d be lying :D For me it’s the sport seminars, no doubt about it, and the associated excursions! Last year, I went to Valmorel with my winter sport seminar, and we had a blast.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
To pass my last written exams all in one semester. Since I spent last winter semester abroad, I had a lot of catching up to do and sat three exams in two weeks. The other thing was the medicine module, that was quite overwhelming!
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I'm studying sport science and English and American studies as 2-subject B. A. in order to work as a PE teacher at a secondary school of the Gymnasium or Gesamtschule type.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
It’s definitely a good choice to study sports at RUB; however, you should consider in advance what you want to achieve with your degree or which career you want to pursue. Therefore, I can only recommend the Bachelor’s degree in sport science as a 2-subject degree, and I would like to see more people make the decision to become PE teachers.
Lukas Hüller has studied Sports Science with specification in prevention and rehabilitation. His degree is Bachelor of Science.
What made you choose this degree programme?
As I’ve been a sports enthusiast ever since I was a child, I knew very early on that I’d like to pursue a career in sports. For this, the sport science degree is the perfect foundation and offers many opportunities for me to grow
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
I was pleasantly surprised that actual exercise constituted a large percentage of the degree course. On the whole, my expectations were pretty much fulfilled, as I received ample information on the degree course in advance.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
What I enjoy most is gaining in-depth insight into many sport disciplines and to analyse their biomechanical principles.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Prior to the degree course, the sport aptitude test prior, naturally. During the degree course, some of the exams. But if you have good time management skills and are well prepared, you can master all challenges.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
I’m gravitating towards health-oriented sports companies that operate in the rehab and fitness segment. But I would also enjoy doing something with handball, where I am currently active on a professional level.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
Get all necessary information in good time, especially from sports students, for example at the departmental student committee at the department of sport science. In addition: prepare yourself for the aptitude test in good time.
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