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Sign up for a Student Support Group!
What are Student Support Groups?
Student Support Groups offer a safe, confidential space for learning, sharing, and connecting with others. Join one of our groups and engage in guided conversations based on your experiences, alongside fellow students and a student-guide. Sessions take place once a week, for a period of six consecutive weeks.
When do they take place?
Student Support Groups take place in rotations three times per academic year – in Autumn, Winter and Spring. It is important to register before the deadline. This page is updated regularly with the dates and deadlines of upcoming sessions as soon as they are known.
NEW - Fresh Start Support Group 2025
In January 2025, we are launching a special edition of the Student Support Groups, designed for the cold, dark days of winter. The Fresh Start Support Groups run for three weeks, starting in the week of January 13th, with two sessions each week. One session will be a conventional group conversation, the other a fun activity, such as a sports class or an art workshop. This is a great chance to make the most of winter by connecting with others and participating in enjoyable activities.
The Fresh Start Support Group is primarily for students spending their winter in Leiden or The Hague, and we expect participants to attend at least 5 out of 6 meetings. As this is a pilot programme, spots are limited. Sign up by January 6th at the latest to secure \your place using the form below!
Register for the Fresh Start Support Group 2025
Winter 2025
The meetings for the Winter round will run from the week of February 17th to the week of March 28th. If you would like to join a Student Support Group, please fill out the registration form below. Register by Monday, February 10th at the latest to reserve your spot.
What Support Groups can I join?
Take a look at the overview below and decide which groups would be best for you. Once you've decided, you can find the registration form at the bottom of the page.
Well-being Support Group
In the well-being support group you can meet fellow students, share experiences, work on your goals, talk about emotions and much more. Well-being Support Groups offer a safe and confidential environment in which you can connect with fellow students and share your experiences. Groups consist of up to 8 students from various faculties and age groups under the guidance of a student-guide. Take part and contribute to the group!
Helping Hand Support Group: for Disabled and Chronically Ill Students
The Helping Hand Support Group is a supportive space for disabled and chronically ill students to come together, share experiences, and connect with others who understand their journey. The six weekly sessions are guided by a trained student volunteer and offer a confidential environment where students can discuss their challenges, celebrate their successes, and develop valuable skills and insights. Whether you’re seeking community, advice, or simply a listening ear, the Helping Hand Support Group is here to remind you that you are not alone in your academic journey.
30+ Student Support Group
Students in this age group can face various challenges. For example, you may need to combine additional responsibilities with your studies and finding an internship might prove to be more tricky. In the 30+ Student Support Group you’ll meet with a group of 7 fellow students and a student-guide to share experiences and talk about mental well-being.
AD(H)D Support Group
This is a group for students diagnosed (or undiagnosed) with AD(H)D who are looking for support and relatable contact with peers. In this group, you can share experiences, offer and receive advice and learn more about coping with AD(H)D. You will follow a set series of discussion topics covering matters such as relationships, regulating emotions and planning.
This AD(H)D support group is an addition to the existing services offered by Fenestra Disability Service.
PhD-candidates Support Group
PhD-candidates may face specific challenges, such as combining education with research and navigating a new or unfamiliar academic world. In this peer support group you will have the opportunity to talk and share experiences with a group of 7 fellow PhD-candidates and a volunteering guide.
PhD-candidates AD(H)D Support Group
This group is designed for PhD-candidates who are diagnosed (or undiagnosed) with AD(H)D and who seek a supportive community of peers who can relate to their experiences. Within this group, participants can exchange personal insights, offer and receive advice, and gain valuable coping strategies for managing AD(H)D-related challenges and discuss issues related to their experience as PhD-candidates.
Career Start Support Group
This group is intended for students and recent graduates who are working on their first steps towards the job market. You are actively orienting, actively searching for vacancies or actively applying for jobs and would welcome a little more guidance and advice. You will share experiences with fellow students and get help and advice on all steps in the process with ample room for your individual situation. This group also offers a good place to address any insecurities you might be experiencing about life after university. You will follow a set series of topics that fit steps of every career orientation process (know your qualities, job market orientation and vacancy search, application skills (CV, LinkedIn, motivation letter, interview)).
The Career support group is an addition to the existing services offered by the Career Services.
Thesis Support Group
Are you writing, or about to write, your bachelor or master thesis? Are you encountering problems or expect you will have problems? Are you having trouble implementing your plans and want to get into a good work/writing rhythm? Then the Thesis Support Group might be a good match for you. Meetings take place weekly.
Study Groups
Please note: the Study Groups have a separate registration form, see the button below.
Do you prefer to study in a room with minimum distractions, and in a group setting with other students to help you stay motivation? Then sign up for a study group in the low-stimulus study room.
In this study group, you can meet fellow students, study together, share obstacles and victories, and much more. The study group takes places on a set day and time each week to encourage you to study with your fellow students. In the low-stimulus study room, you can study with few distractions and use noise-cancelling headphones and privacy screens. All under the guidance of a volunteer.
At the start of each session you will have a check-in moment to see how everyone is doing. During the session you will take breaks together to enable you to study optimally. The groups consists of a maximum of 8 students from different faculties and age groups. Join a study group and help yourself and your fellow students!
Bonus Sessions
As a Student Support Groups participant, you will be additionally invited for an optional bonus session. Each bonus session will take place once, in the seventh or eighth week, so you can enjoy bonus sessions with your group and other students after following a Student Support Groups programme. You will receive more information on how to apply for bonus sessions and which sessions are offered at the start of the programme. Please note that participation in a Student Support Group is necessary to be eligible for the bonus session; it is not possible to sign up for bonus sessions only.
Registration form
You can find the registration form for all support groups below. Select the group you want to attend when registering. You will receive further information one week before the group starts.
Register