Mentoring programme
During your first study year you will receive intensive study guidance.
Your mentor in the first semester
In the Academic Skills courses (1) Text Interpretation, (2) Argumentation, (3) Book Review, and (4) Critical Review, you practice a cumulative series of academic skills that are essential to social scientific study and research. These skills will form the foundation of your study throughout the International Relations and Organisation programme. Academic course are offered in workgroup format (24 students).
The instructor of the Academic Skill courses of block 1 & 2 is also your mentor during the first semester. He/she will help you to acquire important academic skills (from searching for and correctly referring to literature, to writing an academic essay) and will help you find your way, both academically and personally. You will see your mentor weekly for the Academic Skills work group sessions. Each student will also have an individual talk with the mentor during the first semester.
Study advice during second semester
The study advisers are there throughout your studies to help you with any questions. They are the people who know most about the particular programme and the people to approach if you have any questions (on study delay, planning, examination regulations, etc.). The study advisers will guide you during the second semester and keep track of your study results for the Binding Study Advice (BSA). If you are falling behind in your studies you must inform your study adviser right away to discuss your study planning. It is also wise to let your study adviser know as soon as possible if personal circumstances are threatening to have a negative impact on your progress. You can also contact them yourself for questions and help.
The study advisers offer a mandatory Study Skills session each block. In these active sessions they will provide tools to manage your study and develop your personal skills and academic career.
Mentoring Sessions*
Friday 22 September 2017, 09:00 - 11:00h, room 2.01
Friday 17 November 2017, 09:00 - 11:00h, room 2.01
Friday 23 February 2018, 13:00-15:00h, room 2.01
Friday 20 April 2018, 09:00 - 11:00h, room 2.01
*the Mentoring Sessions are mandatory
Binding Study Advice (BSA)
During your first year of registration on a study programme your programme's Board of Examiners will send you an email concerning your academic progress on two occasions. These emails will state how far you have progressed in your studies and contain advice on the (dis)continuation of your studies based on the progress made. The advice issued midway through the academic year is non-binding and for information purposes only. The advice issued at the end of the academic year is binding. In formulating this study advice, any relevant personal circumstances, such as sickness or other personal factors, will, of course, be taken into account. If your studies are not progressing as you’d hoped, you are hindered by exceptional (personal) circumstances or if you risk being issued with negative BSA, you must contact your study adviser as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
You will receive your first, non-binding, study advice by 31 January at the latest. This advice is drawn up by the Board of Examiners after consultation with your study adviser. You will receive your BSA at the end of your first academic year, i.e. by 15 August at the latest. To be issued with positive advice, full-time students must have obtained at least 45 ECs in their first academic year.
Academic delay due to exceptional (personal) circumstances
Sometimes your academic progress can be hindered by exceptional (personal) circumstances. In case you encounter exceptional circumstances you need to contact the study adviser as soon as possible and discuss your situation.
Study plan
Study planning is an important requirement for a successful academic career. This topic will be addressed in the Academic Skills workgroups and the mentoring sessions. At the end of the first year we will ask you to draw up a study plan for the second and third year of your study. This study plan is intended to help you to define your long term planning and remain focused and motivated during the second and third year of the study. The study adviser will check your study plan and will invite you for a talk if needed.
Study advisers
Ms. E.J.M (Ester) Blom
Ms. A.D. (Ariane) Berends