University students are expected to be able to act independently and take care of most practical matters on their own. Of course you may encounter problems despite your best efforts. Especially when you are just starting your studies, it can be difficult to find your way around. That's why first-year students will be assigned a senior student as mentor. The mentor is your first contact person. You are welcome to talk to your mentor any time if you have practical questions about your studies, about studying, or about other matters and issues related to student live in The Netherlands. If questions or matters are more personal or complicated it can be that your mentor will tell you to make an appointment with the study advisers.
Every programme has its own study advisers. They know everything about the educational programme. The study advisers monitor study progress, advise and guide students on study-related issues such as study choice, progress and can help with making a study planning. The study advisers also help and advise students on their academic skills, studying under specific personal circumstances and on rules and regulations.
When to contact the study advisers?
At university, you are expected to be independent and to sort out many things for yourself. Don’t rush straight to the study advisers, if you have any questions. Check our FAQ page first. You’ll find the answers to many practical questions there.
Planner Excels for study plans - UT ME
The excel files are planners designed to help you create a personalized academic overview. Use these files to create your ideal schedule and effectively balance your workload, especially if you are combining courses from this year with those from previous years. Pick the one applicable to you.
Additional support
If you encounter any problems during your studies, need extra help in addition to the guidance provided by the study advisers, or if you just want help to develop yourself, the links below may offer extra support and help. Student Guidance & Well-being (SGW) offers a range of professionals and services (such as student psychologists, career counselling, confidential advisors, and contact persons) who are independent and not linked to your programme. Be aware that by clicking these links, you will leave the programme’s website: you will be redirected to the page of SGW, UT Language Centre, or the Student Union.
Student well-being
The university offers special web pages on the topic of well-being. If you encounter mental health problems or do you know someone who does? Check the student well-being pages or contact your study adviser for advice.
Confidential advice - unacceptable behaviour
If you have dealt with unacceptable behaviour, the confidential advisor for students is the person to contact.
The University of Twente wants to offer students and staff a socially safe environment. In such an environment, respect, integrity, honesty, and paying attention to other people should be the standard way of interacting with one another. Nevertheless, it may occur that students are approached by a fellow student or an employee of UT in a way that is unacceptable to them, or that they have witnessed such a situation. Examples of unacceptable behaviour are intimidation or sexual harassment, discrimination, aggression, violence, and bullying. Such unacceptable behaviour can reduce your sense of security and pleasure in your studies. It can lead to stress and mental or physical complaints. Therefore, do not ignore such behaviour and please talk to someone about it.
WHAT IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR?
Unacceptable behaviour may take on many forms. You must decide for yourself what kind of behaviour is unacceptable to you. This may be direct or indirect behaviour that affects your personal integrity in any sense: verbally, non-verbally or otherwise physically; online, by telephone or in writing, or in online text, voice, image or video messages. Unacceptable behaviour includes (sexual) intimidation, aggression, violence, bullying and discrimination.
Some forms of unacceptable behaviour are obvious to everyone. Other forms can be more subtle, like intrusive messages, more than average interest from a teacher, or repeatedly being addressed on your appearance or nationality. It could also happen that you witness unacceptable behaviour.
WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF?
In case of unacceptable behaviour it is important to act. Ignoring it for too long can possibly lead to stress and mental or physical complaints.
To stop unwanted behaviour it is important that you address it. It may be that the causer is not aware of the fact that they are a burden to you. You can contact the person who is exhibiting the unwanted behaviour and point out that you are bothered by this. Tell them that you experience their actions as unwanted, offensive. or even threatening. You can also ask someone whom you trust to talk to that person, such as a teacher, your study adviser, or a fellow student. You can also contact the confidential advisor.
ROLE OF A CONFIDENTIAL ADVISOR
The confidential advisor for students is there to lend an ear in situations of unacceptable behaviour or unequal treatment. They are independent and have a duty of confidentiality towards others, such as lecturers and offices within the University.
The confidential advisor will always be on your side and will offer moral and emotional support. They will help you investigate which steps you can take and identify the (dis)advantages of each step. For example, the confidential advisor can guide you in talking to the person causing the problem or in taking possible next steps. One possibility is to file a formal complaint or report an incident if all your attempts to change the situation have failed to help. But it is also possible that just talking to a confidential advisor is sufficient for you.
The confidential advisor guides you through the entire process and the possible steps that you might want to take. In this process, you are always the person who decides on what to do. Nothing will happen without your explicit consent. You will always be in control and decide whether or not to take a certain step or action.
In all situations, your anonymity will be guaranteed.
WHAT A CONFIDENTIAL ADVISoR DOES NOT DO?
The confidential advisor for students will not act as a mediator, will never intervene in legal processes, or will not have to ascertain the truth as their purpose.
CONTACT
If you like to make an appointment you can contact SACC secretariat (+31 53 489 2035) or write an e-mail to: confidential-advisor-students@utwente.nl.