Concepts like "contact hours" and "fulltime load" do not necessarily apply in the German university context. In a "two-hour Vorlesung ," for example, attendance is not mandatory and there are no tests or written assignments. But the "two-hour Vorlesung " may entail two hours of lecture, an hour of Kolloquium and an hour of Übung each week -- a total of four hours. This will not always yield four hours of credit in your home institution.
The student's actual course load, therefore, depends upon the types of courses in which he or she enrolls. Two or three Seminare (four to six hours), two or three Übungen (four to six hours) and two Vorlesungen (four hours) will constitute a reasonably load.
Generally speaking, foreign students tend to take on too much during their first semester of international study. The demands on time and energy are greater than at home, so the time and energy available for courses and studies are diminished. An overload is likely -- and counterproductive. So set a relaxed and reasonable pace of study while in Tübingen.
Obviously, a considerable amount of self-discipline is needed to accomplish a year of studies abroad. But allow yourself the leisure to become acquainted with Tübingen, with Germans, and with Europe while you study. Isn't that a major reason for studies abroad in the first place?
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