Essential study skills are self-organisation, academic work and a sound grasp of money, contracts and insurance. The knowledge from your Abitur is not enough for this, because at school the timetable gives you structure. At university you have to build it yourself. This overview shows five areas that will make your start easier, and where you can read more about each one.
Key points at a glance
- At university you organise your study material, time and appointments largely yourself. Nobody reminds you of deadlines.
- Academic work (research, citing, building your own argument) hardly features at school, but it is expected from the first semester.
- Contracts, household and taxes become part of everyday life as soon as you live alone.
- Anyone enrolled at a state or state-recognised university is generally covered by statutory health insurance, unless a primary insurance applies.
Which essential study skills do you need that school does not teach?
School trains knowledge that gets tested. Studying additionally requires you to steer your own approach. The following table compares what changes.
| Area | School | University |
|---|---|---|
| Timetable | Timetable and homework are set for you | You choose courses, set study times and keep track of deadlines yourself |
| Learning | Teachers set the material step by step | You work through lecture notes, specialist literature and exam content on your own |
| Writing | Essays and interpretations | Term papers with research, citation rules and your own research question |
| Everyday life | Mostly at home with your parents or with support | Household, contracts, budget and insurance are your responsibility |
How does self-organisation work at university?
With a fixed weekly rhythm and a single place for all your appointments. This can be a calendar app or a notebook; what matters is that you use only one. Enter lectures, deadlines and study blocks before the week begins.
If you build a structure in the first few weeks, you will save yourself a lot of stress later. More detailed ideas are in how to organise your studies well (in German). If you prefer to start with small tricks, you will find them in student life hacks (in German). And if time still runs away from you, the article on more time at university (in German) can help.
How do I learn academic work?
By practising on small assignments before the first big term paper. This includes targeted literature research, properly referencing your sources and formulating your own research question. Many universities offer writing advice and introductions to the library, so use them early.
Learning itself also works differently than at school. Instead of cramming material just before an exam, spaced repetition pays off. You can find out which techniques exist in the overview of the best study methods (in German).
Which financial topics should I understand before university?
Three things matter: a budget, the terms of your contracts for rent, electricity and mobile phone, and tax. Write down what comes in each month and what goes out regularly, and you will quickly see how much room you have left. For contracts, look at the term, the notice period and price increases after the first year, since introductory offers are common.
On tax: a tax return is not automatically compulsory for students. It can become necessary, for example if you have income without tax deducted of more than €410 per year, if the tax office asks you to file, or if you are self-employed. Education costs for a first degree can only be claimed as special expenses up to €6,000 per year, and this only has an effect if you have taxable income in the same year. For a second degree or a master’s after a bachelor’s, more favourable rules apply. When in doubt, ask the tax office or a tax adviser.
More basic money knowledge for students is bundled in the articles on child benefit during your studies (in German), on student loans compared (in German) and on the benefits of student status (in German).
How do I insure myself correctly as a student?
Anyone enrolled at a state or state-recognised university is in compulsory statutory health insurance, unless a primary insurance applies (§ 5 SGB V). Whether you stay covered as a family member through your parents, become a member yourself or can apply for an exemption depends on your situation. An exemption applies for your entire course of study and cannot be revoked.
Clarify this with your health insurer before enrolment. For liability insurance and other policies, the same applies as for contracts: check your need, read the terms and only then take out cover.
Which soft skills count as well?
Presentation, compromise and keeping in touch may seem secondary, but they carry you through your studies. In presentations and seminars you practise representing your position objectively, and in group work and flat viewings you learn to negotiate calmly. Friendships from school need much more maintenance once you have moved away, for example through fixed phone calls or visits.
Pressure is part of it too. If stress and doubt become overwhelming, the article on mental health during your studies (in German) offers guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for university after my Abitur?
Clarify your housing situation, funding and health insurance before the semester starts. Set up a calendar and try out a study method early. It is also worth looking at your university’s introductory weeks, in which the library, examinations office and student advice service are presented.
Which skills are most important for studying?
Self-organisation comes first, because structure is no longer set for you. This is followed by academic work, that is research and citing, and a sound handling of money and contracts. Social skills such as teamwork and objective argument complement these.
Do I have to file a tax return as a student?
Not automatically. A duty can arise if you have income without tax deducted of more than €410 per year, if the tax office requests it, or if you are self-employed. Filing voluntarily can be worthwhile if tax was deducted. The tax office can advise you on your individual case.
Am I automatically health insured while studying?
As a student at a state or state-recognised university, you are generally in compulsory statutory health insurance, unless a primary insurance applies. How this works for you, for example with family insurance or an exemption, is something to clarify with your health insurer.
How to proceed now
- Set up a calendar for lectures, deadlines and study times before the semester starts.
- Ask your health insurer how you are insured while studying.
- Create a monthly budget and note the notice periods of your contracts.
- Sign up for the introduction to academic work offered by your university.
- If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage (in German).
You can find reviews of us on ProvenExpert, Trustlocal and Trustindex. Academycon was also mentioned, among other things, in a press release on Nachrichten Heute. An overview of all mentions is on the press page (in German).
Related articles
- Student life hacks: small tricks with big impact (in German)
- Saving on travel as a student: cheap journeys and trips home (in German)
- Financial advice for students: serious, sensible or unnecessary? (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice, tax advice or legal advice. The German version is authoritative.
