Students first set a dot on the horizon by thinking about what type of academic they want to become via Discover Your VUture. Then they play their study route towards this final goal, via the board game Explore Your VUture. As more and more programmes build Your VUture into their mentoring or tutoring, we are also learning more and more about how programmes can help their students benefit most from what Your VUture has to offer.
Three practical tips:
Tip 1 - Find the right moment
When first-year students have just started their studies, they need to acclimatize before they are ready to think about their study career. Around December or maybe even in semester 2, they have more space to look ahead. It also helps to make it a convivial gathering, for example as a fun end to the block.
Tip 2 - Explain why
Discuss with students in advance what the intended goals of Your VUture are. For example: "We want to help you think about what kind of profession or field of work suits you best and how your studies fit in with that. In doing so, Your VUture offers concrete tips on what you can do during your studies to learn the right skills and already build a CV."
Tip 3 - Give a reflection assignment
A great assignment, devised by the Human Movement Sciences programme: "from the list of VU tips at Discover Your VUture, choose two tips that you want to start working on immediately. Also choose a third tip: one that attracts you, but that you find more challenging. In a reflection paper, describe why you chose these three tips and how they fit with your study goals."
