Emmy Noether Folks Society

We are an association of people who have completed an early study programme and want to help others also succeed in this enriching experience.

From classroom to lecture hall

The lectures and mountains of exercises are over, the university exams have been passed, and the end of the semester is once again celebrated appropriately - as is now the established custom: With an eventful day in the Escape Room, among other things, and relaxed chatting over dinner in a nice ambience afterwards. Sounds like normal student life.

Except that we - Luise, Nellie, Sebastian, Noah and Alexander, the founding members of Emmy Noether Folks Society - all didn't have our A-levels when we started studying. We enrolled in an "Early study programme", a programme that allows you to gain experience at Göttingen University even before your A-level exams.

Whether it's physics or philosophy, maths or sociology, whether it's giving proofs or writing essays: Above all, it's a lot of work, and you have to learn to organise yourself - if only to get university and school under one roof. The change was not easy for any of us - not even for the "normal" students with whom we studied.

That's exactly why we founded the Emmy Noether Folks Society ("ENFS"): a society for all those who pursue or have pursued early studies. Whether it's about enrollment and the right people to approach for it, about learning techniques and which events to attend at the beginning, how to stay motivated and not lose touch - we want to share our experiences. Even beyond the A-levels and the start of full-time studies. Above all, we want to pass on our experiences to those interested in early studies and be available to you!

Even though the Göttingen mathematician Emmy Noether (1882-1935) is known today primarily for her groundbreaking research, her enthusiasm and excellent teaching infected a whole community of students, undeterred by all adversities. We early students recognise ourselves in this enthusiasm - hence "Emmy Noether Folks". The Society is open to all who have successfully completed at least half a semester of early studies.

Even though the ENFS has actually been around since last year, due to Covid's we have only now officially constituted ourselves - in proper style over a Caribbean meal in the evening. Following the international model, the Society now has a President and a Vice President, among others.

If you now feel addressed and want to know more about early study - feel free to contact us!

Alexander Sommer (President), Noah Kirchhoff (Former President)

PS: Those interested in early studies can of course also ask our Society Secretary Mr Rauch, a teacher at the Otto Hahn Gymnasium. But he himself only started studying after his A-levels, and not even in Göttingen.

What do our members say about their experience in an early study programme?

"Study? In school time? With all that stress of A-level-exams drawing near? Isn't it enough if I start it after my A-levels?" - That's probably what goes through many people's minds when they hear that I'm doing early studies at Göttingen University.

Or rather: we - because studying works best in a group. Despite our differences, for all of us the lessons just weren't enough. Too often, when things get really exciting, they stop. No matter whether it's maths, philosophy or physics - studying is the full version: really going into depth, getting to the bottom of things, and learning to understand things properly.

Of course it's exhausting. You have to learn to organise yourself, prepare lectures and work through them again, write essays or conduct your own proofs - week after week. Teaming up with others and trying together to get through seemingly impossible tasks and the most incomprehensible explanations. Until the penny drops and everything is clear and simple - at least sometimes.

And all this besides school and everything else (at this point special thanks to all teachers who support us in many ways!).

Not everyone sticks with it, it really is a lot of work. But just to have sat in a lecture hall where everyone really listens and thinks with interest, … just to have enjoyed the whole student life, is a great experience.

From enrollment to learning techniques to the tastiest cafeteria: We founded the Emmy Noether Folks Society (ENFS) to support us and other people interested in early studies and to share our experiences. Anyone who has successfully completed at least half a semester of early studies can become a member. But above all, we can be contacted by anyone who is now interested in the university adventure and would like to know more!

Noah Kirchhoff (Former President), Andreas P. Rauch Ph.D. (Secretary)