Support for peer tutoring

The most important duty of a tutor is to help new students get started at the University: by showing them where important facilities and services are located (the Finnish Student Health Service, the cafeterias, the IT facilities, etc.), how to reach them, how to register for courses and examinations, and what kinds of digital tools are used at the University. In addition, the tutor should also introduce new students to other students and the student community. Students tutoring international students also help to adapt to a new culture and everyday life practices. The websites and online services and brochures provided by the University and the faculties will help you in your work as a tutor. Below is a list of resources to support tutoring. 

Joint events may be organised for all tutor groups to help the new students become acquainted with people outside their group. You should also pay special attention to facilitating Finnish and international students to meet and become acquainted with each other. You can ask advice on arranging events from the tutoring coordinator in your faculty.

In addition to the Tutor adventure, you can get tips for tutoring from the guidance videos that were made by the EHYT organisation's KUPLA-project and the University chaplains over the summer 2020. Three videos were made on the following topics:

• "How to create a safe group spirit (online)?"
  Watch the video in Finnish on Unitube and take a look at the pdf presentation slides.
• "How to address worries from the tutors' role and how to take care of your well-being as a tutor"
  Watch the video in Finnish on Unitube and take a look at the pdf presentation slides.
• "Online communication and ice breaking exercises"
  Watch the video in English on Unitube and take a look at the pdf presentation slides.

Next Ask Me! campaign will be held 12 to 16 January 2026. Tutors can get their Ask Me! pins if they want from the following locations:

• City Centre Campus: Aleksandria, Metsätalo and Siltavuorenpenger
• Kumpula: Physicum
• Meilahti: Haartmaninkatu 3
• Viikki: Info Centre, Biocentre 2 and building A 

The university staff will also wear pink Ask Me! badges and are ready to answer any questions our new students may have.

In the first week of teaching, the pink Ask Me! logo guides those with questions in the right direction.

Studies service

The Studies service collects together familiar digital services. In Studies service you will find services such as Calendar, Instructions for Students and course pages. Read more about the Studies service and other digital environments Student’s digital skills course.

Very useful Studies service's pages are also Guidance compass and Support for Studies.

Sisu

Sisu is a study planning tool for students. It helps you to draft your study plan. You can also use it for planning your schedule and putting all the studies included in your degree on a timeline. New students who enter the University in Autumn 2021 will all create their study plans in Sisu. For more information and instructions on how to create a study plan, please see the instruction Personal Study Plan (PSP).

Vocabulary for new students 

A glossary intended for new students is a useful tool for understanding concepts related to studies and student life. The glossary includes explanations of terms related to practical studies and for wider concepts as well as links to student-oriented services. The glossary is mainly intended for first-year students. It may also be useful for more seasoned students and provide insight into what kinds of new and possibly foreign concepts the new students in your tutoring group may encounter at the start of their studies. 

Ethical principles of teaching and studies

Different types of unexpected problems may present themselves in the course of university teaching and studies. Sometimes they are best described as ethical issues. The purpose of the University’s ethical principles is to provide the entire University community with the tools for discussing ethical questions related to teaching and studies. It is hoped that they spark discussion also in the tutoring groups. The principles were drawn up in a positive, communal and anticipatory tone: How do we work together in a way that prevents problems?

Read more about ethical guidelines.

Study psychologists

Study psychologists offer individual counselling and study-related groups to degree students and doctoral researchers regarding issues such as motivation, time management, achievements, stress, coping, and thesis writing.

Student welfare

Finnish Student Health Service FSHS – Finnish Student Health Service website

Nyyti ry

Unisport – University sports services’ website

Students financial benefits

Quick guide to financial aid for students (Kela)

Student housing

HOAS

Other useful links

University websites

Website of the University of Helsinki Student Union (HYY)

HYY’s website for new students

Information technology

IT Centre’s website for new students

How to print at the University

User instructions for Sisu

Students digital skills

Social media

Welcome to the UH blog for new international students

The University’s Facebook page for new international students

University of Helsinki Instagram account

Other

UniCafe

Helsinki Region Transport’s (HSL) Journey Planner