Your first semester

Everything will be a little different this year ...
The Corona Virus surprised us all in a variety of areas. Last Spring the UZH switched its program to contact-free teaching as quickly as possible.
The UZH is prepared to maintain digital teaching. This does not mean that everything will surely run without issues. Many things have to prove themselves. As students, we will have to actively address uncertainties, problems or wishes.
So try to actively approach your fellow students or lecturers. Do not ask too few questions - the earlier something is addressed, the easier!

our present to you!
In your first semester letter you already learned from us that we have prepared a few small things for you. We would like to give you the opportunity to win something, read a cool introduction from us and of course stay up to date.
Have fun and welcome to UZH!

Raffle
How about a brand new iPad / laptop at the start of your semester? In cooperation with Projekt Neptun, the VSUZH is giving away a voucher worth CHF 1,000 for an iPad / laptop of your choice!
To take part in the raffle:
1. Follow us and Projekt Neptun on Instagram @vsuzh & @projektneptun as well as on Facebook VSUZH & Projekt Neptun .
2. Then post a story about your new everyday life at the university. Whether you're doing home office, on the way to the university, with a mask in front of the lecture hall or anywhere else - we would like to know how you organize your everyday student life!
Tag us both on the story and use the hashtag #VSUZHxneptun so we can see them too. All further information on Instagram or Facebook. We look forward to your story post and wish you good luck in the competition!
Win 50CHF
Not only do you have the chance to win a voucher for the Neptun project, we are also giving away a total of 50 vouchers worth CHF 50 for the UZH merchandise shop at the beginning of the semester!
Whether a new hooded sweater, a stylish coffee mug or a practical umbrella, with the 50 francs you can go shopping as you wish!
The condition for participation is that you are studying at the UZH in your first semester - so you have not yet been enrolled at this university. To do this, we will have to check the matriculation number on the Legi. If you started your studies this year, the first two digits are "20". We will also exclude people who try to participate several times from the pool of possible winners.
So that you don't miss anything, you should definitely follow us on Facebook and Instagram !
Not only do you have the chance to win a voucher for the Neptun project, we are also giving away a total of 50 vouchers worth CHF 50 for the UZH merchandise shop at the beginning of the semester!
Whether a new hooded sweater, a stylish coffee mug or a practical umbrella, with the 50 francs you can go shopping as you wish!
The condition for participation is that you are studying at the UZH in your first semester - so you have not yet been enrolled at this university. To do this, we will have to check the matriculation number on the Legi. If you started your studies this year, the first two digits are "20". We will also exclude people who try to participate several times from the pool of possible winners.
So that you don't miss anything, you should definitely follow us on Facebook and Instagram !


Lies das / read this
Our guide to getting you started at UZH!
When you start at the University of Zurich, you will be confronted with a multitude of new tasks and questions. So that your start can run as smoothly as possible, the students at UZH have created an accompanying booklet in recent years, which should give them a broader understanding for the ins and outs of your university.
Freshmen
party
When we wrote your welcome letter to you together with the university, we still held up the hope that we would be able to throw a great party for all freshmen and friends this year as well. However, the situation has not improved and major events are currently not a realistic undertaking. We will continue to try to create the best possible events and will keep you up to date via email, social media and of course on our website.
So in short: The first semester party, which we wanted to put on September 29th, has to be canceled this year.

Be ready for the online semester
The probability is very high that you will do a lot of the lessons from home - this means that you will join the courses online with the programs that are made available to us by the university.
In addition to the classic OLAT, the two tools Zoom and Microsoft Teams will be used. Both programs are made available to you free of charge. It should also be emphasized that the entire Microsoft Office 365 is made available to you free of charge and you can possibly save the license costs.
zoom
Zoom offers users a fairly accessible interface. In most cases, once you have installed the program, click on an invitation link and it will connect you directly to your course .
Your most important buttons are the mute button and the "raise hand" function. You can find these in the participant list of the meeting.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is particularly suitable not only for holding lectures, but also for tracking work, setting appointments and it offers more functions to document a work process. This also makes the program a little more complex to understand.
Your account will be added to the team through your UZH-email address and you will have to call up the team and join the meeting when you get called.
We also recommend that you take a look at the other licenses that you can get with your matriculation.
Your student association!

back from left to right Christine, Isaias, Pio
front from left to right: Nicolò, David, Polina, Leonie, Alia
The University of Zurich wouldn't exist without you, us, the students. We make up a significant part of our university and sometimes know best what it means to study. The assessments and ideas of the students are extremely important for the future of the university - the University of Zurich Students Association, VSUZH, is here to concentrate them and direct them to where they can be implemented. We are your official representation at UZH and you can be part of it! Whether as an elected council member, delegate or board member, there are numerous opportunities to stand up for the topics that are important to you!

participate!
With your membership you confirm that students have a say at the university and enable a variety of offers and events.
Your membership gives you access to competitions, discounted tickets for cultural offers, festivals, leisure activities, sports days, speed dating, and the option of free legal advice.
Find out more about our offers and events here .
contribute
The work that is the least visible to everyone is the one done through dialogue with various groups.
We stand up for the interests of the students in our council, commissions, committees, working groups, support groups, sounding boards , monitoring, etc.
In doing so, we rely on the cooperation with the study associations and the openness of the university so that every single person can be heard.
The students experience every day what it means to study and quickly develop a feeling for what is important for the study and where there is potential for improvement.
The door is always open to you to get involved in VSUZH. You can find out more here.


am i a member?
When you enroll for the first time, it is very possible that you do not yet know what the VSUZH is and does. When you enrolled for a degree program, you had the option of making three voluntary contributions:
-
Foundation “Student Union Loan Fund” with CHF 7
-
Foundation “Solidarity Fund for Foreign Students in Zurich" with CHF 5
-
Membership fee for the Association of Students of the University of Zurich (VSUZH) with CHF 14
So it may be that you are not sure whether you are a member of the VSUZH or not. This is very easy to check, because your membership for the current semester is always visible on your validated student ID.
Help is important!
The beginning of your studies is usually associated with a lot of changes and new challenges. You belong to one of thousands of new students and are never alone with your questions, problems or fears.
You can get help from different sources:
Fellow students
We're all sitting in the same boat. Ask the person next to you - maybe this is the beginning of a new friendship.
Lecturers
Our lecturers have already taught many first-semester students and have chosen this profession because they want to help you.
Study association
Students with a lot of experience are in your study association, and as your representatives, they are always willing to actively support you and supplement your studies in a meaningful way.
VSUZH
We represent you on a university-wide level and in particular take on the topics that affect us all, including teaching under COVID.
Do you need someone to talk to the Nightline takes care of your worries (044 633 77 77). Its an anonymous call service provided by students for students.
Psychological counseling center
If the pressure or stress becomes too great, a visit to the psychological counseling center can be more than worthwhile.
We wish you good luck!
We wish you all a great start to your studies - there is a great time ahead of you. Brave yourselves in!
Your VSUZH board