Category: Navigating Student Life

Student Survival Tips

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SLR Blog: German peculiarities | Student Survival Tips

You might be totally new in Germany, or you may have lived here for a while now, but some German behaviour still makes absolutely no sense to you. “What the heck, Germans?!” you may have thought. Believe me, I as a German myself have thought so too.
However, some of these peculiarities Germans seem to have can actually make a lot of sense – or be at least somewhat understandable. That’s why in this article, we’ve explained some typical things Germans do. This way, we can all understand those habits better and might even adopt some of them ourselves!

  • Lüften: Why do Germans open all the windows, even when it’s freezing cold outside? That’s because houses are well insulated but not air conditioned in Germany, and if we don’t open up the windows to let the inside air exchange for fresh air, moisture will build up and there’s a risk of mould developing. Actually, to conserve energy it is more efficient to fully open the window for 10-15 minutes (turn off the heating during this and turn it on again after) than if you keep the window in a tilted position (“auf Kipp”) for a long time. Never have your window “auf Kipp” while the heating is on, as the heat will be lost through the window!
  • Complaining about “Quiet Times” / “Ruhezeiten”: In Germany, it is regulated by law that you shouldn’t do any noisy work (like lawnmowing, hammering stuff, any loud construction work) during certain hours
    or days, that is on Sundays (or special holidays), and at night from 8pm (for very noisy work)/10pm o’clock until 7am.     The purpose of this is that people are able to rest properly.
  • Closing bedroom doors: Are Germans isolated beings that don’t want to be talked to? Certainly not. They are simply fond of their private space, so if a bedroom door is closed (like in a flatshare situation), Germans will expect you to not simply walk in. However, it is common practice that if you knock, they will likely bid you in 😊
  • “Kein Bier vor 4!”: What does that mean? While in Germany, many people drink lots of alcohol, there is a consensus that there should be “kein Bier vor vier”, so no beer before 4pm. Rest assured though, just because many Germans drink alcohol that does absolutely not mean that you also have to. There are also many German people who don’t drink alcohol for various reasons, be it for health (alcohol is still really unhealthy), religious beliefs, other personal reasons, because they have to drive home by car or because they simply don’t like it. (And you don’t need to have a reason for not drinking, it can simply be that you don’t want to.)
  • Bread, bread, bread: Germans love their bread and in Germany, it is socially accepted to eat bread for every meal. Many Germans also bring bread (usually well-topped, as a sandwich) to school or work so they don’t have to buy any lunch. (In this case, they usually eat a warm meal in the evening.) And German bread can be much more than simply an American-style sandwich. Have you tried all of them? (The best ones can be found fresh in a bakery!)
  • Early dinner? When you think of a dinner meal, what time do you think of? While in many countries this can begin as late as 9-10pm, most Germans like to have their dinner earlier, anything from 5pm (old people) to 7pm is usual. Maybe this is because many Germans have only eaten bread during the day? So be prepared if you ever get invited to dinner with a German! Individual differences can apply of course, especially for university students who don’t have a schedule or clear life structure 😀
Note: It is actually also quite healthy to have an early dinner. This ensures early digestion, which means that our digestive track won’t need to work so much during the night, and sleep often becomes more restful because of this!
  • Phoning in private? Many Germans tend to walk away, walk around, or go to a different room when taking a phone call. This is because they like to keep privacy (if the call is private, at least), but also means that they don’t like to listen in on other people’s phone calls.
Maybe these have helped you gaining some insight into German peculiar behaviours!
Your fellow student and SLR host Franzi 😊
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SLR Blog: Saving money on food shopping | Student Survival Tips

Life as a student doesn’t come cheap. And with little to no time to work at a paid job, we students aren’t exactly free to spend money all over the place whenever we want to. On the contrary, chances are we’re always on the lookout for ways to save money, and one big area for this is, of course, grocery shopping. So below we’ve compiled a bunch of tips and tricks you can apply to save money on food when living in Germany. See which ones might help you:
1.      Avoid going food shopping when hungry. Hunger will lead you to buying seductive products which you don’t need, so it’s better to have a quick snack before going to the supermarket.
2.      Always have some type of “emergency food” stored at home, this could be a packet of pasta and a glass of pesto, for example. Since on Sundays and certain holidays, supermarkets are closed in Germany, you don’t want to have to eat out just because you forgot to food shop. It’s better to be prepared with some emergency storage like this and save the money on eating out.
3.      Generally, eating out is EXPENSIVE in Germany. Here, even water to drink will cost a few euros, and don’t forget the tips that are expected, so it’s smart to reconsider when you actually want to eat out, and when it might be nice to cook at home instead.
4.      Water from the tap is safe to drink in Germany, so buying bottled water really is a waste of money. It’s better to have one water bottle and refill it. (Don’t forget to clean it regularly though!)
5.      When in the supermarket, the products displayed at eye level (making them easy to spot and reach for) are often more expensive than those on the lower shelf. So be sure to check the different shelves and compare prices.
6.      When comparing prices, don’t compare the total price of a product (since a product might cost some cents less, but it’s content is only half of another option’s), but compare prices per kilo (or per 100g). These are indicated below the total price on the price tag on the shelf.
7.      You can use supermarket and cashback apps to save, but don’t be tricked by their advertisements! If you are buying a product you don’t really need at thirty percent off, you don’t save any money – you spend money on something you otherwise wouldn’t have bought. So keep this in mind – don’t let yourself be tricked and use supermarket apps smartly!
8.      When you have more food at home than you can eat, freeze it before it turns bad. You can freeze almost anything – leftover lunches, bread, fruit juice, … just be sure to not re-freeze it again after thawing it.
9.      The date indicated on packed food goods in Germany is called “Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum”. Literally translated, it means date of minimum shelf life. Producers indicate that to legally confirm that their product is good until that date. However, it doesn’t mean that the food automatically turns bad the day after. Often, something is still good well past that date – so smell it, taste it carefully – often a product is still perfectly fine and you don’t have to throw it away.
10.  Often, grocery shops or restaurants will have food left over which they didn’t sell. With services like the smartphone app Too Good To Go (https://www.toogoodtogo.com/de), they offer bags of food at a reduced price. On the Too Good To Go app, you can see which places are currently offering something and stop by to collect it.
11.  On services like https://foodsharing.de/karte people can offer up products they can’t use up (they might be leaving for a holiday or have misbought something). This is an initiative to reduce food waste. Via maps like this, you can find places where food like this is offered 😊 Another similar place like this is https://fairwertbar.org/ in Sandstraße in between the bus stops Emilienstraße and Kaisergarten. (At fairwertbar, you can take saved food for free, if you want, you can make a voluntary donation.)
I hope that these have helped you!
Your fellow student and SLR host Franzi 😊
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SLR Blog: How to handle problems with your roommates | Student Survival Tips

Living with roommates can be amazing- shared dinners, deep talks, spontaneous laughs. But let’s be real: it can also be challenging. Different habits, expectations, and lifestyles in a shared space can lead to tension. And that’s totally normal.

Here are some helpful tips to handle roommate conflicts before they turn into big dramas:

1. Talk Early – Not after you’ve exploded

If something bothers you, don’t let it build up. Address it calmly and early. A simple “Hey, can we talk about something?” often opens the door to a more relaxed conversation.

2. Use “I” statements

Instead of blaming (“You never do the dishes!”), try saying how you feel:
“I feel frustrated when the dishes pile up, can we find a solution together?”
This keeps the conversation less defensive.

3. Assume good intentions

Most people don’t want to be bad roommates – they might just not realize their behavior is affecting you. A little benefit of the doubt goes a long way.

4. Agree on clear rules

Discuss things like cleaning, guests, noise, and shared costs early on. Even if it feels awkward at first, having clear agreements can prevent future stress.

5. Take space if you need it

A short walk, headphones on, or spending time in a different room can help everyone cool down if things get tense.

6. Ask for support

If you really can’t resolve the conflict, you don’t have to do it alone. Many universities have mediation services, student support, or someone you can talk to.

Living together means learning together. Conflict doesn’t mean failure, it’s part of figuring things out. With some communication and kindness, you’ll likely come out stronger (and maybe even closer).

Your SLR host Emma 😊

Source: https://www.sparwelt.de/magazin/menschen/wg-leben-probleme-loesen

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SLR Blog: Budget-friendly tips for international students | Student Survival Tips

Studying abroad is exciting, but managing money can be tough. Here are some real, everyday budget hacks that international students can actually use:

1. Shop Smart: Compare prices & use discounts
Always compare prices before buying anything. Use apps like Idealo and UNiDAYS and take advantage of student discounts wherever possible for example for online shops, stores, computers, even museums!

2. Save on transportation
Use student travel passes, monthly public transport tickets, or bike-sharing programs. For longer trips, try BlaBlaCar or carpooling with friends instead of pricey trains.

3. Use store & cashback apps
Many supermarkets and drugstores (like Lidl, Rewe, or DM in Germany) have their own apps with digital coupons and rewards. Combine them with cashback apps like Payback or extensions like Honey to save even more.

4. Buy second-hand whenever possible
From clothes to furniture, buying used is cheaper. Vinted, Kleinanzeigen or university notice boards before buying new.

5. Split costs with friends
Share Abonnements, shop for groceries together, or take turns cooking. It’s cheaper and more fun!

6. Meal-prep to save time and money
If you cook a few meals at home each week, you’ll spend less on expensive takeout. Make extra portions so you can freeze leftovers.

7. Use free university resources
Don’t pay for stuff your university already offers! Libraries, printers, free software (like Microsoft Office), cheaper fitness classes (Hochschulsport), or cultural events.

8. Track your spendings
Use simple apps like Spendee, Monefy, or Buddy to monitor your daily expenses. You’ll quickly see where your money goes and where you can try to save some more.

9. Earn a bit on the side
If your visa allows it, take on a small job like tutoring, babysitting or other student jobs.

10. Use the library Instead of buying books and textbooks
Textbooks are expensive and often only needed for a few weeks. Borrow them from the library or buy them second-hand.

11. Join student or cultural groups
Many groups organize free events, cooking nights, or trips. It’s a great way to meet people and save money at the same time. You can find many of them here.

Your SLR host Emma 😊

Source: Save the Student – Student Finance Guide 2025 savethestudent.org