Decision-making tools

The weighted decision-making matrix is a method that provides rational support for making decisions in the context of complex problems. With the help of this matrix you can systematically contrast your options, and identify and variously weight your decision-making criteria, e.g. Interest = 10, University location = 5.

Download Weighted decision-making matrix (only in German) (XLSX, 19 KB)  

Important: Be honest with yourself about choosing and weighting your evaluation criteria. Usually the social aspect carries great weight, and this is as it should be. In the end you will be studying for three years in the same place, and you have to feel good there if you are to succeed in your studies.

Try to sell your study programme options to a person you trust. Do this without any preparation. Why do you want degree programme A? Why B? For reasons of clarity, present a maximum of three options. The person you trust should have an open attitude to all three of them, in order not to influence you.

After making your “sales pitch”, take time to reflect on the following:

• How did you feel when you presented options A, B and C?
  
• What was easy to talk about? What was harder?
  
• Where did your advertising feel intuitively right? Where not?
  
• After you have done your own reflecting, ask your audience what they thought. Did the person you trust notice anything?
  

Often one works too much at the cognitive level in choosing a study programme: one thinks too much and does not trust one’s own feelings. So look at the study programme selection from a new perspective. Be creative and draw a picture for each of your options. The picture does not have to depict anything concrete or beautiful; it should be a picture of your mood. Let your creativity flow. There is no right or wrong here.

While and after drawing, think about the following:

• How does it feel?
• Is it easy? Is it hard?
• What comes to your mind?
• What kind of emotions does the picture convey?

Alternatively, you could do the same with music: if you prefer music, compose melodies or match a piece of music to each of your options.

Would you like somebody else to make the decision for you? Use the external page Decision Panda (free app from Google Play Store). Alternatively, you can also roll the dice.

Give yourself time after taking the decision to reflect on your reaction.

• How do you feel with taking this decision?
• Are you feeling happy with it? Are you feeling calm and satisfied?
  
• Does the decision cause negative feelings or resistance? Do you wish the Panda had decided differently?