Congratulations, you are a freshman now! On this page, we have collected some information to help you get a frictionless start to your journey at the Technical University of Munich. There are some tips provided on how to study effectively, and we have collected some inspiration for things you can do in your free time!
If you have anything to add to this page, please tell us so at it.fslrg@ed.tum.de.
Organization
During your studies it is important to stay organized as to not be overwhelmed with things. Here are some tips to stay on top of everything:
- Join your WhatsApp group chats: A lot of information will be passed to you there.
- Regularly check your TUM email address: Information regarding changes to the schedule, deadlines, and similar will be sent to you there. It is recommended to sort through everything once in a while and delete old emails.
- Use a calendar: There may be a lot of deadlines to keep in mind and everything you don’t have to remember yourself frees up space in your head for more important things.
It is important to remember that even if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know what is going on anymore, you are being overwhelmed with emails, and don’t know what to do next, you can always recover. Lean back for a minute and find some peace, then get back into it.
Study smart, not hard
Some people learned it in school, some did not. Studying does not come easily to everyone, so it is no sin to ask for help. And help we do provide. First and foremost, in the form of some advice listed below. Remember, this is not an instruction manual but just some tips. In case of doubt, approach the problem in the way that fits you best!
- Use old exams to study
- Study with fellow students (library group rooms)
- Make Flashcards (e.g. Anki)
- Make Mind Maps (e.g. Miro)
- Look at the lecture content before the lecture
- Look at the lecture content after the lecture
- Go to study at the library (reserve slots with anny)
- Take enough breaks and stay hydrated
Recreation
Even if your primary purpose in this time of life is to study and get a degree, you should not forget to enjoy yourself and relax. We have compiled a structured list of potential free-time activities to undertake during your time in Munich (especially if you are not from here).
There are different events being organized in Garching and on the City Campus. Usually, whenever there’s an event, there are posters for the event around the campus. If you ever want to lend a helping hand and meet new people, you should check out the page for volunteer helpers.
TU Film is a nice alternative to visiting regular cinemas. Every Tuesday and Thursday on non-holidays, movies are being screened in Munich, as well as in Garching. You can bring your own snacks, and the tickets usually cost only 3€! Check out the official website of TU Film for the schedule and more information.
Keeping fit is important for both your mental and physical health. The Zentraler Hochschulsport München (ZHS) organizes plenty of cheap courses every semester. Students and employees from all faculties in Munich, Freising, and Landshut can participate. You pay once for a basic ticket for the entire semester (12€), and can then get individual courses afterwards. Check out the official website of ZHS!
Garching
While on campus in Garching, it is not rare for students to have some empty periods between their lectures and exercises. If you come from afar and are looking for things to do in these breaks (or in the afternoon), we have got you covered with some ideas.
- There are some installations like a beach volleyball net and a small football field between the MW and informatics building. You can borrow balls and other sets like batminton at the Fachschaft in the MW building.
- If you venture into the forest behind the Galileo building, you will find a river with a small beach on the other side. Here you can take a small dip, skip some rocks or just hang out with the smell of flowing water in the air.
- The forest also offers an environment to go for a tour on a bicycle, that can be convieniently attached to one of the many bicycle stands at the campus. There are also tools and vending machines for spare parts spread around, should you ever experience technical difficulties.
- If you are hungry, it may be a good idea to pay a visit to the Mensa. Here you get good food for a decent price, and for most it is a daily ritual they like to undergo.
- The StudiTum buildings are open 24/7, and are a great place to recap lectures inbetween periods, or to get a snack from the vending machines.
Munich
If you live in the city centre or attend lectures there, you have a different set of free-time options.
For instance, all over the city, you can find small gravel beaches down in the riverbed, and there are many beautiful parks in Munich that you can visit. The most notable ones are:
- English Garden
- Olympiapark
- Schlosspark Nymphenburg
- Westpark
- Südpark
Top activities at the park or at the riverside
A park is nice for a stroll, but it does not stop there! And even though not every park has a river, we have some suggestions anyway.
- You can bring a grill and have a barbecue.
- You can bring a volleyball net and play a bit.
- At some places you can go into the water. Pay attention to any signs and regulations around to avoid trouble and danger.
- In winter, you can also look for a surface that is steep enough and go down with a sleigh!
Bars & Clubs
When the sun has set, and you don’t neccessarily want to play volleyball anymore, Munich also offers a wide variety of classic nighttime activities. We have compiled a small list of Bars and Clubs that have offered nice experiences so far.
- CampusCneipe (by the Mensa Garching)
- Hopfendolde (by Münchner Freiheit)
- The Indian Cave (by Giselastraße)
- The Keg Bar (by Giselastraße)
- Neuraum (by Hackerbrücke)
Culture
If you came from somewhere else to study in Munich, your parents are probably going to come visit you sooner or later. For that instance, you want to have some idea of where to go with them.
- Deutsches Museum
- Flugwerft Schleißheim
- Old City of Munich
- Schloss Nymphenburg
- Many hiking routes around Munich
- Starnberger See and the area
- Schloss Neuschwanstein
- Nationaltheater