Author: Alessa Boettcher

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SLR Blog: How to deal with heatwaves | Student Survival Tips

The summer can feel tough in Germany, as there are some heatwaves coming up and most buildings do not have air conditioning.

Tips from student to student:

I have prepared a list of “survival tips” on how to deal with the heat better:

Cool your body

  • Run cool water over your wrists and forearms.
  • Place your feet in a bowl of cool water.
  • Put a damp cloth on the back of your neck.
  • Take a lukewarm shower (ice-cold water can cause your body to produce even more heat afterwards).

Stay hydrated

  • Drink regularly before you feel thirsty.
  • Water, unsweetened tea, or diluted fruit juice are good options.
  • If you are sweating a lot, make sure to replace electrolytes as well (for example through mineral water, broth, or electrolyte drinks).
  • Avoid large amounts of alcohol, as it can interfere with your body’s fluid regulation.

Adjust your diet

  • Choose light meals such as salads, fruit, vegetables, and yogurt.
  • Eat foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, or peaches.
  • Very heavy or fatty meals can increase the body’s heat load.

Keep your home cool

  • Air out your home in the early morning and at night when temperatures are lower.
  • Keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day and use blinds, curtains, or shutters to block sunlight.
  • Place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan to help cool the air.

Clothing

  • Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing made from cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking fabrics.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure whenever possible, especially between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Sleeping in hot weather

  • Use cotton or linen bed sheets.
  • Take a short lukewarm shower before going to bed.
  • Fill a hot water bottle with cold water or wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it briefly on your feet or calves.

If you exercise

Since exercising generates additional body heat, try to do it early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower. Bring more water than usual and take breaks in the shade.

Warning signs of heat-related illness

If you experience dizziness, severe headaches, nausea, confusion, or a rapid heartbeat, move to a cool place immediately, drink fluids, and seek medical attention if necessary.

I hope you will have a great summer and will have the chance to enjoy the warmer temperatures!!

 

 

Your Host, Alessa 😊

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SLR Blog: What can you do when you are feeling sick | Student Survival Tips

What you can do if you are feeling sick:

If you are feeling sick and need to see a doctor and need medicine, I listed some tips for what you can do:

  1. How to find a doctor?

If you are feeling sick right now and do not have a general practitioner yet, you can call any doctor that is close to you and tell them you are sick. Then, they will tell you if the have the capacity to treat you. Otherwise, they might be able to tell you, who has a capacity for new patients.

It is best to start looking for a general practitioner right after arriving in Siegen.

Here you can find more information on how it works: https://blogs.uni-siegen.de/fit-in-siegen/de/2025/04/14/slr-blog-how-to-find-a-general-practitioner-student-survival-tips/

 

  1. How to get your medicine?

Medicines and Pharmacies

In Germany, some medicines require a prescription, while others can be purchased freely.

Prescription medicines (verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente) are only provided to patients with a prescription from their doctor. They can be acquired at public pharmacies (Apotheken) upon presentation of the physical prescription slip. Please note that Germany’s pharmacy laws are strict, meaning a prescription may be required for medicines that are sold over the counter in other countries. Medicine is not available in supermarkets.

Prescription medicines typically include a co-pay of between 5 to 10 euros, or roughly ten percent of their price. If your medication costs less than 5 euros, you pay for it yourself.

Other medications (such as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) can be purchased freely in any pharmacy – without prescription.

Pharmacies are typically open from Monday to Friday, although some also open on Saturday mornings as well. On Sundays, pharmacies are usually closed in Germany. The emergency pharmacy service (Apothekennotdienst) is open around the clock. In Siegen you find the actual emergency pharmacy on the following homepage. https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/apotheken-notdienst/stadt/siegen/

There is also a list on every pharmacy door.

  1. What to Expect at a Doctor’s Appointment

After your search for a doctor was successful, check their office hours on their homepage. To avoid waiting for the medical treatment you should call before your visit and make an appointment. If you want to go to a specialist, you may have to wait several weeks. You must first visit a general practitioner, as a referral is required to see the specialist.

    1. Please arrive on time for your appointment.
    2. At the reception you will need to present your health insurance card.
    3. If you are visiting a specialist you will also need the referral from the general practitioner.
    4. First of all, as a new patient, you will have to fill out a personal medical questionnaire every time. This questionnaire is mostly in German only, if you have any difficulties in understanding it, please ask the staff at the front desk.
    5. While filling the form you will typically be sent to a waiting room to wait until called.
    6. Patients with public health insurance do not normally have to pay for standard treatments and can simply leave once they are finished with the consultation and/or have received any necessary prescriptions or referrals.

Your host, Alessa 😊

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SLR Blog: How to find psychological consultation | Student Survival Tips

Psychological Consultation Offers

Studying can be hard and moving to a new country makes it more complicated. It is completely normal to need assistance at some points in your life.

  1. The Social Psychiatric Service: is a doctor-led socialservice provided by the health and veterinary office within Siegen-Wittgenstein. It is available for people with a mental illness or in a psychosocial crisis situation as well as their relatives and social environment. The consultation is free and confidential.
  2. Urgent help: In case of an acute emergency, you can dial 112 and/or visit the Psychological Institute Outpatient Clinic next to the Kreisklinikum in Weidenau.

 

The University of Siegen itself has some offers to look at.

  1. Psychological counselling

The university of Siegen has a free offer for psychological counselling!

Where to find more information: https://www.uni-siegen.de/en/zsb

Open consultation hours:

By phone: Mondays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (0271 740 4300)

Office consultation hours: Tuesdays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (F-S 204-206)

Workshops offered by the psychological counselling of the Student Counselling Service (ZSB)

The Psychological Counseling of the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) is offering various german speaking workshops for students this semester:

 

  1. Psychotherapeutic Ambulance of the University of Siegen

The Psychotherapeutic Ambulance of the University of Siegen offers Consultation hours, psychological diagnostics and psychotherapy

  • Languages: Therapy sessions are offered in English, German and Turkish!
  • Further Information: https://www.uni-siegen.de/pha/index.html.en?lang=en
  • Important notice: The waitlist is very long and it is highly recommended to also contact other therapists: https://blogs.uni-siegen.de/fit-in-siegen/files/2025/04/Psychotherapists.pdf

 

Your SLR Host Alessa