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Starting studies without stress: tips from an academic and legal perspectives

September 12, 2024
As the new academic year begins, for many students their journey at the university commences too. To ensure a smooth start, it's important to understand academic requirements and students' rights as well as responsibilities. We spoke with Dr. Milena Serzante, the Director of the strategic partnership centre at VILNIUS TECH university, about how best to prepare for studies. From a legal perspective, the insights were shared by Lukas Serzantas, who is a lawyer at the professional law firm "Noewe Legal" and an attorney's assistant.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help first year students smoothly begin their university experience, from both an academic and legal perspectives.
 

1. Check your university system access

 

According to Dr. Milena Serzante the first step to starting your studies smoothly is ensuring you have functioning access to all university systems. This includes logging into your university email, using IT services, and registering on university portals where you can find schedules, lecturer contacts, and other important study management systems.

From a legal standpoint, Lukas Serzantas advises paying attention to the registration process in university IT systems. The university, upon receiving your personal information, protects it according to strict data protection rules, including the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Lithuanian laws. However, to further protect your personal data, it is important to take care of your login credentials by using strong passwords and managing your information securely.
 

2. Familiarise yourself with the study schedule and requirements

 

If possible, review your study program and schedule before the start of the academic year. Learn about attendance requirements, exam schedules, and the conditions for interim assessments to be prepared for your first classes, emphasises Dr. Serzante.

The lawyer reminds us that every student has not only rights but also responsibilities. Therefore, it is helpful to familiarise yourself with the consequences of not fulfilling those responsibilities properly. Failing to comply with university regulations can result in penalties ranging from warnings to expulsion. Thus, it is better to know in advance what is expected of you and to try to meet these requirements.
 

3. Utilise university IT services

 

Virtual learning environments such as "Moodle" and other internal and external IT systems are integral and frequently used parts during university studies. These platforms provide opportunities to share lecture materials, complete assignments, and receive marks. According to Dr. Serzante, using these systems allows students to easily communicate with lecturers, quickly find the latest information about classroom changes or grades, and even track job offers and other important announcements. This helps students stay informed and respond promptly to any changes in their studies.

When using university IT services, it’s essential to highlight how to protect your data. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a simple but effective way to safeguard your account against unauthorized access, says Lukas Serzantas. In one real case, a student used their university email and the same password combination to log into various services, such as social networks. Since two-factor authentication was not enabled, only the password was required to log in. When one of the services experienced a data breach, the student’s password was stolen, which allowed malicious imposters to access their university email and, subsequently, internal university systems, which stored important information such as academic records and financial details. Due to not securing the account with two-factor authentication, the student suffered significant data loss and privacy violations. It took a lot of time and effort to recover accounts and prevent further damage. Therefore, enabling two-factor authentication could help prevent such incidents, as it would ensure that even if a password is stolen, an additional authentication step protects the login.
 

4. Get acquainted with the library and its resources

 

All roads lead to the library! Of course, it is a key resource for knowledge and academic development. Learn how to use the library's services, including book reservations, electronic resource searches, workspace reservations, and technology tools like printing, copying, and scanning services. In some cases, popular literature may have limited copies, and you might have to wait for your turn. So, familiarise yourself in advance with not only your faculty's but also the university library’s resources and the conditions for obtaining required literature from national or city libraries.

When using library resources, respect copyright laws and properly cite literature in your coursework. Lukas Serzantas emphasises not only the importance of honesty but also the necessity to cite sources and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is a violation of intellectual property laws and can have legal consequences.
 

5. Take advantage of international opportunities

 

According to Dr. Serzante, if you plan to study abroad during your studies, it is worth starting to research international exchange programs, such as "Erasmus+." Learn about application deadlines, opportunities to participate in international projects, and how to prepare for studies or internships abroad.

When studying abroad, it's important to familiarise yourself with legal matters, such as visa requirements. Lukas Serzantas advises students to know their rights and responsibilities when studying at a foreign educational institution to avoid unpleasant surprises. The main rights of students participating in international projects include:

  • Receiving quality education at the host institution based on the approved learning agreement;
  • Having their academic results recognised (after completing studies abroad, the results should be recognised by their home institution);
  • Receiving an "Erasmus+" scholarship, the amount of which depends on the country and other factors.
Responsibilities include:
  • Complying with the learning agreement (students must meet the obligations outlined in the agreement, attend classes, and complete their studies at the host institution);
  • Submitting reports on time (after completing studies, students must submit a report, which is important for both the host institution and the "Erasmus+" program administrators);
  • Repaying the scholarship if required (if the student discontinues studies or fails to meet the learning agreement, they may be required to return part or all of the scholarship).

6. Utilise psychological support and student assistance initiatives

 

“During your studies, various emotional challenges may arise, and help may be needed. Universities often offer psychological consultations to help cope with stress, anxiety, or other difficulties. It's also worth participating in peer-support initiatives where you can receive help from other students or offer assistance yourself,” advises Dr. Milena Serzante. If such programs are not available at your university, consider using Lithuania’s youth helpline or other support programs such as the "Hope line" or "Self-help portal," where you can find useful information and support on various issues.

Students using psychological support at the university have the right to full confidentiality, which is ensured by the aforementioned laws and the anonymity rules established by universities. At the same time, when participating in the above-mentioned initiatives, know your rights and responsibilities to make the experience positive and beneficial for both you and others.
 

7. Explore study funding and scholarships

 

According to Dr. Serzante, it’s important not to forget about scholarships and funding opportunities. Find out what is available at your university. This may include state-provided financial support as well as scholarships offered by the university, businesses, or other organizations. Calls for applications for such scholarships are usually announced in the first weeks of the semester, so keep an eye on faculty social media and regularly check your student email inbox. From August 31, students can also apply for study grants from the State studies fund. More information can be found here.

Students from socially disadvantaged families can apply for social scholarships. In case of financial difficulties, it is possible to request the university to split the payment for studies into instalments. Also, note that students can apply for loans until September 18th. The loan can be used to cover both tuition fees and living expenses, but the amount for living expenses cannot exceed €4,400. Loan repayments begin two years after completing studies. More information about this can be found here.

When receiving a scholarship or other financial support, carefully review all conditions. Some scholarships may be linked to academic performance or other obligations. By understanding what is expected of you, you can maintain the financial support you receive and continue your studies without additional worries.

Starting student life smoothly requires thorough preparation and active participation in both academic activities and university community life. As the new academic year begins, every student has endless opportunities to pursue their goals, and the various services offered by the university will help overcome the challenges that may arise. Therefore, remember your rights, responsibly fulfill your student duties, and you will avoid undesirable situations. This will ensure a smooth and successful study process.

Galerija

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