While her classmates are off enjoying their autumn mid-term
break, Jeske van Diemen (17) and 23 fellow pupils are poring over
their textbooks. Jeske is taking part in one of the brush-up camps
at the University of Twente. "They keep on explaining until you
really understand everything."
During the week-long autumn mid-term break, a brush-up camp is
being held at the University of Twente. This camp is aimed at
pupils who want to improve their marks in certain subjects. It is
being organized by civil engineering student Matthijs Winkelaar
(22). "Our aim is to help the students obtain better results at
school, but we also want to give them a taste of student life here
on the Twente campus."
Small groups
During the camp, the pupils pore over their textbooks six hours
a day, five days a week. They work in groups of four, each under
the guidance of one university student. Jeske thinks this
small-scale approach is ideal. "In a class of 30 pupils, there is
often far from enough time for the teacher to answer all your
questions. Here we work in small groups and they keep on explaining
until you really understand everything."
Basic knowledge
Each participant has their own reason for taking part in the
camp. Jeske, for example, is having trouble with physics, maths and
especially chemistry. "My basic knowledge of these subjects is
shaky. So I'm here to revise the basics. Each day that I'm here I
spend three and a half hours on chemistry, one and a half hours on
physics and one hour on maths. I've noticed that I can keep
learning for much longer than I expected."
Admission restrictions
Lylis Lacomblé (17) is concentrating exclusively on chemistry
during the camp. "I'm the only pupil here who is focusing on a
single subject. I really want to study medicine. But because of the
restrictions on admission I want to get an average mark of eight.
Chemistry is my weakest subject. It's great for me to be able to
devote all my time to it during the camp. The difference with
school is that here the supervisor is right at your side. You have
the chance to ask questions about every little thing that you don't
understand."
Science subjects
"In theory, pupils can brush up on any subject they want to
during the camp. Most of them take between two and four subjects,"
explains organizer Matthijs. "In practice most of them want to
brush up on the typical science subjects such as maths, chemistry
and physics." But this time around, students also worked on
subjects such as biology, economics, geography and Dutch. "If
there's a demand for other subjects, we go in search of an
appropriate supervisor." Jarno Visser (24) is one of the
supervisors. "I studied computer science and during the camp I give
classes in maths and physics. I like teaching and passing on my
knowledge, but apart from that it's just a really friendly
atmosphere. It's rewarding to see the dividing line between the
supervisors and the pupils gradually disappear as the week goes
on."
Relaxation
Importantly, it's not all work and no play at the brush-up
camps. Every day there is also an extensive evening programme, so
that pupils can get a taste of what student life has in store. One
evening the programme consists of all kinds of workshops, on
another evening the whole group goes into town for pizza and a game
of pool. Of all the activities so far, Lylis enjoyed the bowling
most. Jeske had the most fun at the theatre sports workshop: "It
was a good laugh!" But the highlight of the week is probably still
to come. On the final evening, a farewell party will be held at the
Vestingbar on campus.
Twente Academy
The autumn brush-up camp is just one of the activities that the
University of Twente organizes for school pupils. Under the name
Twente Academy, the university organizes seven brush-up camps, two
exam camps and a range of extra tuition days every year. Twente
Academy has also launched an "Online Learning Environment". This
digital resource contains all kinds of practice exams and other
useful material. Once a pupil has completed such an exam, he or she
receives feedback on the subjects that need more work. The online
environment also features all kinds of animations, look-and-listen
tests and other resources to prepare pupils for their final
exams.
