Groups and courses to support ability to study and career planning

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

On this page you can find information about groups organized by career counsellors and study psychologists, and courses with study credits to support your studies.

Taking part in groups

The groups offer peer support and counselling to support your studies. Groups are offered mainly in Finnish. For more information, please see the Finnish version of this page.

The groups follow principles for a safer space. Please note that the registration for groups is binding.

Autumn 2025 groups

This autumn, the groups will be held mainly in Finnish. If you are able to and want to join a group in Finnish, please change the language version of this page to Finnish to see all groups.

Get Unstuck with Writing (joint implementation with Finnish language “Kirjoittamisen karikoita” small group) 

Organizer: study psychologists
Schedule: in Period 2, five group meetings are held on Thursdays from 13:15 to 15:00 between 6 November and 18 December, except for 20 November and 11 December
Location: City Centre Campus
Language of instruction: Finnish, English
Target groupBachelor’s and Master’s students at University of Helsinki

Are you currently working on a thesis, essay, learning journal, or another type of writing assignment? Does the task evoke unpleasant thoughts and feelings? Does it seem like an overwhelming or vague task that's hard to tackle and tempting to avoid? Despite your plans, are you struggling to make progress in your writing? Would you appreciate peer support and new ideas for your work?

In the "Get unstuck with writing" small group, the focus is on advancing your thesis or other demanding writing tasks together with fellow students. The goal of the group is to provide support from both study psychologists and other participants to help you progress in your writing process. The group meetings will include peer discussions, exploration of thoughts and feelings related to your thesis or other writing tasks, practice of different working methods, and advancement of your writing work. The meetings will not cover discipline-specific practices nor content-related questions.

We are experimenting for the first time with a bilingual writing group. For this group, bilingualism means that the group's materials will be available in both Finnish and English, and participants can use the language they are most comfortable with. We aim to form a smaller subgroup of 3–5 students who speak the same language for small group discussions, as well as pairs who speak the same language for pair discussions.

The writing group accommodates 12 students, with 5 spots reserved for English-speaking students (Get Unstuck with Writing) and 7 for Finnish-speaking students (Kirjoittamisen karikoita). If the language quotas for either Finnish or English students are not filled in the joint group, we will fill the spots from the waiting list of the other language group. Priority is given to students who have not previously participated in small groups led by study psychologists. Please note that attending the first meeting is a requirement for participating in the group.

Registration: The group is full.
More information: opintopsykologi@helsinki.fi

Support for studies workshops 

Organizer: Student wellbeing team
Schedule: First and second teaching period, a total of 6 meetings on Tuesdays at 14:15–15.45: October 7, October 14, October 28, November 11, November 18, December 9
Location: City Centre Campus, Kaisa House, Kaisa-sali 7062
Language of instruction: Finnish (11.11. in English)
Target groupDegree students and doctoral researchers 

Having trouble starting your study tasks? Difficulty concentrating? Do you feel like avoiding studying?

Support for studies workshops aim to support participants in getting started with study tasks, improving concentration, managing time and schedules, and progressing in their studies. Each session includes short expert-led introductions on various themes and guided small-group discussions to encourage peer support. Time is also reserved for working on personal study tasks, so participants are encouraged to bring a current assignment and the necessary materials. The Pomodoro technique is used in a guided manner during the sessions.

Themes of the sessions: 

7 Oct, 14:15–15:45 Study Goals (in Finnish)
14 Oct, 14:15–15:45 Time Management and Scheduling (in Finnish)
28 Oct, 14:15–15:45 Getting Started (in Finnish)
11 Nov, 14:15–15:45 How to Maintain Concentration While Studying (in English)
18 Nov, 14:15–15:45 Writing and Exam Preparation (in Finnish)
9 Dec, 14:15–15:45 Study Wellbeing (in Finnish)

Registration: The workshops are open and do not require prior registration. You are welcome to attend all sessions or choose the ones that suit your interests. 
More informationstudywellbeing@helsinki.fi

University courses to support your studies

The University organises courses to support well-being and study skills. Courses are mainly held in Finnish and occasionally in English. If you are interested in courses in Finnish, see the Finnish version of this page

Well-being and learning from groups

This 2 cr. course is suitable for optional studies in the bachelor's or master's phase of any degree program. The course emphasizes supporting well-being and thereby promotes studying. During the course, the importance of social groups in well-being is recognized and social tools are developed to support well-being. In the course, the regulation of social skills and groups is practiced, through which the aim is to reduce loneliness and promote coping, well-being and support studying. Read more about the course and future dates.

  • The English-speaking course will be held on the II teaching period
  • Enrolment 5/9/2025 –22/10/2025 11:59 PM
  • The course includes independent online assignments and small group discussions.

Towards better studying and well-being course

The three-credit Towards better studying and well-being course is open to all University students. The course provides a range of tools to help you feel well and study better, as well as important skills for the world of work. The course includes online independent exercises and group discussion.

The main focus of the course is on practising and increasing psychological resilience. It is strongly linked to general well-being and academic progress. Psychological resilience is the ability to act on things and goals that are important to you, despite unpleasant feelings and thoughts. Read more about the course and future dates.

  • The online course in English will be held on the II teaching period
  • Enrolment 1/10/2025 9:00 AM–15/10/2025 11:59 PM
  • The course requires the submission of a preliminary assignment according to the given schedule and a mandatory introductory meeting.

Groups and virtual courses at FSHS

During the autumn semester, the FSHS offers various group activities related to health and well-being. In a group you can get support for your health and life management.

StressLess coaching

Read more about the StressLess coaching on FSHS Website.

A national remote group in English starts on Tuesday 14 Oct 2025 from 9 am to 11 am. You can get more detailed schedules from the group leader. How to apply? Please fill out the form that opens behind the link in the Self online service (requires identification).

Depression school

Read more about the Depression School on FSHS Website.

A national remote group in English starts on Monday 13 Oct 2025 from 9am to 11 am. You can get more detailed schedules from the group leader. How to apply? If you already have a treatment contact at the FSHS, ask about Depression School during your appointment. You can also contact the treatment needs assessment team.

Nyyti ry's Group Activities in 2025

Free of charge, professionally facilitated, and primarily online-based groups are intended for higher education students across Finland. Each group lasts 5 to 8 weeks and meets once a week. You can find more information about our autumn 2025 groups below and on our website at nyyti.fi.

Registration for the autumn season groups is now open. Shared burdens are lighter to carry – you are warmly welcome to join!

LGBTQIA+ in Higher Education – Online Peer Support Sessions

Welcome to join our English-speaking online safer space peer support sessionst! LGBTQIA+ in Higher Education sessions are for international students in higher education and we wish to share the queer joy among every one of you. Peer support session is an ideal place to discuss about experiences of minority stress as an LGBTQIA+ student and share your heart and mind with others.  

Peer support sessions are free of charge and held via Zoom. Read more and register at Nyytis website.