The goal of PSP guidance is to support the progress of your studies and the development of your expertise and help you find the right methods of learning for you. PSP guidance is also a way for you to interact with teachers and other students and become acquainted with your discipline.
A teacher providing guidance or a group of teachers is designated at the beginning of your studies to coordinate your PSP guidance. This teacher may also go by another title (e.g., PSP supervisor, teacher tutor or mentor) in your degree programme. Degree programmes may offer guidance in different ways, including separately agreed meetings or as part of specific courses. For further information on practices in your degree programme, please see the section specific to your degree programme on this page.
PSP guidance allows you to reflect on the following issues with a teacher’s support:
- What your study-related goals and needs are
- How you intend to progress in your studies
- What your skills and professional goals are, how you will develop your expertise
- How different choices affect your goals
A carefully written study plan supports you in studying according to your goals, whether they relate to your target graduation date, the enhancement of expertise in a specific area or the balance between studies and other commitments.
Both you and the teacher assigned to provide you with guidance are responsible for the guidance process. You are responsible for completing studies, attending guidance meetings and responding to the teacher’s attempts to contact you. Apart from the teacher, you will also receive support for planning and completing studies from the University advice and guidance services:
- General student advice staff help with issues including the technical use of Sisu, registration for the academic year, the right to study and student benefits. Faculty-specific student advice staff help with issues such as writing study plans and having previous learning recognised through credit transfer.
- International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation advises with issues including student exchange and the Flexible Study Right Scheme (JOO).
- Career Services supports you with traineeships, career counselling and similar matters.
- Study psychologists offer counselling to groups and individuals, supporting meaningful studying.
If you are unsure whom to contact for support, the Guidance Compass can help you find the right person or unit.
Further information
For guidelines on student supervision, guidance and progress monitoring, please see this rector's decision (2017): Guidelines for academic supervision and guidance as well as the monitoring of student progress at the University of Helsinki (PDF).