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What are my strengths, what can I still work on?
The SWOT analysis helps students further.
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Photo: Tom Werner / Getty Images
Every semester, students come to me who are stuck in their studies.
They feel overwhelmed, their interest in the subject is waning and good grades are out of the question.
The causes of these problems are varied - but there is one method that I, as a study advisor, recommend in (almost) every case.
I know that simple answers to complex questions should usually be treated with caution.
But this technique is the exception to the rule, because it can really help everyone and every student to overcome difficulties in their studies.
The SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis comes from project management and therefore has a slight business administration touch.
But it is also something for - if you may - normal people, for example unhappy students.
The acronym SWOT stands for:
S
: Strengths
W
: weaknesses
O
: Opportunities
T
: Threats
With the help of this analysis you can outline your current skills (strengths and weaknesses), include your environment (opportunities and risks) and derive a strategy for the future from this.
Sounds complicated, but it's very simple.
Strengthen
Your own strengths are typically determined first in the SWOT analysis.
It is important (as with all four categories) to be as objective as possible.
For example, you might ask yourself: What am I doing really well right now?
What is the positive difference between me and my fellow students?
What did my professor praise about me?
What are my characteristics?
Good grades are a strong objective indicator of potential strengths: Which exams did I pass particularly well?
For which exams did I have to learn little?
Or also: Which school subjects did I like?
weaknesses
Then you analyze your weaknesses.
Ask yourself: In which courses did I have great difficulties?
What can others do better than me?
Do I have negative behavior patterns?
What qualities am I often criticized for?
In this category, too, you can take a look at your previous academic achievements and consider whether bad grades can be attributed to personal weaknesses: Why did I fall short of my expectations?
Have i learned enough
Or have I procrastinated too much?
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opportunities
With your strengths and weaknesses in view, you now turn to possible opportunities in your further studies.
This category focuses on developing strengths and catching up on weaknesses: How can I better exploit my strengths?
What courses could I choose that reflect my interests?
Which environment promotes my good qualities?
How can I fill in gaps in my knowledge?
If you are stuck in this category on your own, I recommend consulting my fellow student advisors.
The specialists at your university know your degree program and can usually classify your strengths and weaknesses portfolio.
If this is too personal for you, ask your family or friends for advice.
Risks
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Title: Bachelor of Time: Time Management in Studies
Editor: Studienschiss
Number of pages: 144
Author: Tim Reichel
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As a counterpart to the previous point, you are now analyzing possible risks: What challenges do I face?
What could challenge or overwhelm me?
Which exams could I fail - and why?
Admittedly: The considerations in this category can pull you down a bit.
However, they are important in order to make better decisions in the future and to avoid certain dangers in the course of study from the outset.
For example, if you are not interested in a certain topic, you should not choose a specialization in this area.
Or: If you realize that this one exam in the fourth semester could be a stumbling block, you will plan enough time to study right from the start.
Conclusion
The SWOT analysis is a useful tool to evaluate your situation during your studies and to get fresh impulses for the future.
The more honest and ruthless you go about it, the better your ideas for solutions.
I advise you to list the answers in the four categories in writing and to revise them several times.
It often takes a few iterations to come up with the most promising answers.
And I promise you: This work will be worth it - because afterwards you will have a much better idea of yourself, your skills and your studies.
The best conditions for frustration-free studies.