1. Explore interests and strengths

There is often a big question at the beginning of choosing a degree programme: What really suits me? To find out, it's worth thinking about your own interests, goals and general conditions. Specific questions that you can ask yourself will help:

• What topics excite me - even outside of school?
• What content do I want in a degree programme?
• Is a strong practical orientation important to me?
• How do I envisage my future career?
• What expectations do I have of a university and campus life?
• Do I prefer to study in a big city or in a more manageable environment?
• How do I want to finance my studies?
• Are options or specialisations important to me?
• Do I think I can handle the course in terms of subject and organisation?
• Would I like to go abroad during my studies?
• What length of study is realistic for me?
• How well does the degree programme fit in with my long-term goals?

Not all questions need to be answered immediately - some will become clear over time, others may not be relevant to you at all. The important thing is that just thinking about it will help you move forward.