Exam preparation for students in the first semesters at university is challenging. The Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Chemistry (MPIC) student council therefore developed the “Study Night” format to support students in their exam preparation through tutorials. The event was organized by Ismaël Brunet Pac,Luk Heine, Jannik Husemann, and Simona Hanuliaková. NAT School’s Dr. Robert Reich spoke with Simona and Jannik about the Study Night.

Dear Simona, dear Jannik, thank you very much for taking the time for an interview.

NAT: Could you briefly introduce yourselves?

Simona Hanuliaková: I studied chemistry for five years and am now starting my PhD. During my studies, I regularly taught tutorials and have been active in the student council for quite some time. For me, the Study Night is the perfect combination of teaching and engagement for other students.
Jannik Husemann: I am currently in my third master’s semester in chemistry and am also involved in the student council. I have supervised several tutorials as well and generally really enjoy helping to shape events for students.

NAT: What was your motivation for organizing the Study Night?

Husemann: Especially in the first semesters, starting university is often not easy. It is important to me to make it easier for new students to get started and to support them particularly during their first exam period. That’s why we launched the Study Night. We provide practice problems, which we then work through together in tutorials. This is not only about subject-specific support, but also about networking. Many students only realize there that they are not alone with their exam stress. Tutors from higher semesters can also give helpful tips on learning strategies and exam preparation.

Hanuliaková: Although there are already exercises and tutorials in the first semesters, time there is often limited, and everything feels a bit hectic. In contrast, during the Study Night we have an entire evening to work through the material calmly. This makes it possible to cover topics in more depth and to engage more intensively in discussions with students.

NAT: Did the evening go well, and would you organize another Study Night?

Hanuliaková: I think the evening went very well. Since it was already our second event of this kind, we also had a bit more routine. The first Study Night took place in the summer and focused on the fundamentals of physical and organic chemistry as well as Analysis 2 and theoretical physics. Of course, there are always small challenges, for example when creating new practice problems. You constantly have to ask yourself whether the tasks and solution approaches are understandable for everyone.
Husemann: We organize the Study Night together with our colleagues from the student council, including those from physics. We place particular emphasis on the basic and orientation exams for the degree programs in chemistry and physics. The plan is to offer a Study Night every summer and winter semester.

NAT: What personal impressions did you take away from the Study Night? What worked particularly well, and what could be improved?

Hanuliaková: At times, we almost had too many tutors. That is, of course, a luxury problem. For the students, it was very beneficial because there was always someone available to answer questions.
Husemann: Our concept involves presenting typical exam problems. We are currently considering making these problems available to students in advance. That way, they could prepare beforehand, and during the Study Night we would have more time for discussions and questions instead of having to work through everything under time pressure.
Hanuliaková: After a long day at university, it’s also not always easy to stay focused in the evening. And since lectures take place again the next morning, some students had to leave earlier. Perhaps we need to adjust the time frame a bit in the future.

NAT: What feedback did you receive from students about the Study Night?

Husemann: There was a wish to receive the solutions immediately afterward. However, we deliberately decided to make them available only a few days later. It is important to us that students first work independently on the problems. Working through them on their own promotes understanding. We don’t want to spoon-feed everything.

NAT: What is the story behind your logo? An eight? Can you explain that?

Husemann: It actually came from a printing error. Last year, an “N” was accidentally omitted, and “Lernnacht” became “Lernacht.” We found that so funny that we continued the idea. On the blackboard, it turned into an 8 plus 1. The last event was therefore the “Lernacht,” and the current one the “Lernneun.” That’s why we sometimes jokingly call the event LernAcht or LernNeun.

Dear Simona, dear Jannik, thank you very much for the conversation, and best of luck with future Study Night events!

The MPIC student council also regularly honors lecturers from the NAT for outstanding teaching. This year, the Golden Chalk for “Best Practical Course” at the TUM School of Natural Sciences was awarded to Dr. Christian Gemel. He was recognized for organizing and leading the “Basic Practical Course in Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (Part 1)” as well as the “Inorganic Chemistry Practical Course 2.”

Dr. Gemel continuously develops the content of the practical courses to ensure that students have a successful introduction to laboratory work. In addition to quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis has now become a permanent component. Supporting instructional videos on separation techniques, as well as his presence as a hall assistant, provide intensive supervision and a practice-oriented laboratory experience.

The award particularly recognizes his great commitment and the continuous improvement of the practical courses. As Dr. Gemel was unable to attend the award ceremony on the day itself, the presentation of the Golden Chalk was made up in January by the MPIC student council, represented by Ole Fleischhauer and Jannik Husemann.

Would you like to become part of the MPIC student council and get involved in projects such as the Study Night? Then feel free to contact us at fsmpic-mitmachen@fs.tum.de or simply stop by one of the student council offices.

Further information and links

• Our MPIC student council: https://mpic.fs.tum.de
• Golden Chalk Awards of the MPIC student council: https://mpic.fs.tum.de/fachschaft/hopo/nat/goldene_kreide/
• Article: Graduation ceremony of chemistry graduates in November: https://www.nat.tum.de/en/nat/latest/article/the-chemistry-graduation-celebration-in-november-2025/ 

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