Many higher education institutions offer new students the opportunity to take part in special events to prepare them for academic life. Orientation weeks held at the beginning of each semester help to point new students in the right direction. Preparatory courses have also proven to be helpful for students starting certain programmes. In addition to orientation weeks and preparatory courses – which are voluntary but strongly recommended – relevant pre-study work placements are not only useful, but often a prerequisite for admission and therefore compulsory.