The Question!

My first online master's year at TU Ilmenau was horrible. I found it extremely difficult to stay disciplined. That's why I'm even happier to attend my modules in presence this winter. I'm working as an assistant, attending four courses and additionally sitting in on lectures that I didn't attend 100 percent in my first semesters due to online teaching. In the beginning, it was weird to see so many new faces on campus. But it's cool to meet new people - that makes me happy. I would be really happy if, for example, the Santa Claus lecture could happen. I've never attended them before and it would be nice to experience this special event in my last year.

I noticed especially at the end of the last online semester how much I miss university life. At the moment I'm only taking two regular courses, but both are in attendance - I'm very happy about that. But at the same time there is still a bit of fear, the virus is still there. Although I have been vaccinated, I still have to be aware that we can't carry on as we did before the pandemic. In view of the current pandemic situation, I also think it is absolutely right that face-to-face teaching should be suspended for the time being, simply to protect students and teachers - especially in view of the new omikron variant. That said, I think the hybrid form is the most convenient option and would like to see the university expand it even more in the coming years. I believe that this will be the future of teaching. In the long run, this will also reach more students. Nevertheless, I think that personal contact on site is indispensable.

It feels great to attend lectures and seminars in person again - it brings structure to my day. In online teaching, the social pressure was missing: if you don't show up on the screen in the field of participants at WebEx, no one notices. But you notice immediately if you're missing from the lecture hall because of our small course. In that case, you're more likely to attend the lecture. It's also good to see more people on campus again. It's that interpersonal thing that's finally happening again, and I've missed that a lot. I sincerely hope that the teaching will remain present.

I think face-to-face teaching is good and important for all our degree programmes. No matter whether it's a lively exchange or an internship, some things are poorly or not at all possible online. I really missed the contact to fellow students as well as the compensation during my studies, for example in the clubs. It's good to be away from the confines of your own four walls. As a member of a risk group, however, you always have the potential risk of infection in the back of your mind. That's why continuous infection control checks and hybrid offers are very important, on the one hand to feel safe and on the other hand not to miss anything.

This semester, I am taking four subjects and a laboratory practical, all of which have been taught face-to-face so far. In face-to-face teaching, there is much more interaction between lecturers and students. I am much more productive in the lecture hall, for me it is more a place of learning atmosphere. It also just feels nice to see your fellow students again. I'm also happy that the whole campus is busier again and you can meet other people. I think the 3G regulation at TU is good - it just provides more security. That said, I think hybrid teaching is the best solution. That way you have the possibility to take content online in case you get sick or have to go into quarantine. I think it's reasonable that the university is suspending face-to-face teaching until January. It should stay as long as necessary to protect all of us.

I think it's great to attend the courses on site again. The lecture halls here on campus are also much better equipped compared to my bachelor's programme in Russia, especially from a technical point of view. That's a big advantage for me as a foreign student: I can attend the lecture in person and then listen to it again at home. But it's also nice to meet your fellow students and simply have personal contact again. My german has also gotten a lot better since I've been attending my classes in person - it makes the language barrier a lot easier. I think everyone here is happy that teaching can take place in presence again.

This semester I'm only writing my bachelor's thesis and wouldn't have to visit the university at all. Nevertheless, I go to the library and the cafeteria every day. But I miss sitting in the lecture hall. Now that the lectures are back in attendance, I would actually sit in somewhere, just for the feeling. It's also a nice feeling to be around people and see faces again. I missed all the small talk, you didn't have any face-to-face contact with others at all. The partial lockdown is of course exhausting. But there are security people in front of the cafeteria and library - so at least you have a bit of a club feeling there.