STUDIES, LABS, EXAMS AND LIFE AT THE FACULTY: Student ambassadors are here to help with all of it
Starting university often comes with plenty of questions, uncertainties and expectations. At our faculty, the ambassador team is here to help at this stage — students representing individual degree programmes who offer prospective applicants and first-years valuable guidance on both studying and life at the faculty. Their experience shows that what matters isn't just the content of the studies, but also human support and the opportunity to ask someone who has already been through a similar journey. That's exactly why we sat down with our ambassadors to find out why they chose the Faculty of Chemistry BUT, what worries they had when they started, and what they would recommend to their future fellow students today.
Why FCH BUT?
Technical focus, industry collaboration, the desire to study in Brno, or avoiding the stress of entrance exams — there are many reasons to start your chapter at the Faculty of Chemistry. Our ambassadors share the moments that tipped the scales for them.Martina: I like that studying isn't just about theory — you can try everything hands-on in the lab. I was also drawn to the technical focus and collaboration with companies.
Barbora Ch.: Because I fell in love with chemistry and the atmosphere of Brno.
Barbora V.: At grammar school I mostly enjoyed chemistry, but also physics and maths, so I was attracted by the combination of all three at a technical university. I also didn't want to sit entrance exams, but what ultimately decided it was a lab tour and school visit during an Open Day.
Otakar: No entrance exams, the programme suited me, and it's not in Prague.
Kateřina: I always wanted to go to Brno — that was the starting point. I chose BUT (not only) for its prestige. It felt like saying "I study at BUT and I'm going to be an engineer" just sounds cool.
What was your biggest fear before starting university — and what's the reality?
Barbora Ch.: My biggest fear was going to study in Brno completely on my own, from a town about 150 km away, and struggling to fit in. In the end, reality pleasantly surprised me — people in Moravia are very open and friendly, so I found a great group of friends pretty quickly.
Otakar: That it would be far too difficult — and in the end it didn't feel that way at all.
Martina: I was worried whether I'd manage the volume of material, the pace, and the different study system. The reality is that it's sometimes genuinely not easy, but once you find your system and the right people around you, it's manageable.
Kateřina: Probably fear of the unknown. New environment, new city, new people, a different system compared to secondary school. The reality is that you adapt and settle in.
What do you enjoy most about studying and why?
Michal: What I enjoy most is the connection between theory and practice. It's not just rote learning — you get to experience theoretical knowledge in real life. Plus field trips and lectures from external experts in the field.Kateřina: Probably practicals most of all. Even though they're time-consuming — you spend a long time preparing, then in the lab itself, and finally writing the report — they gave me the most. Mainly because I remember more easily what I actually did and why, compared to something I only read or saw in a picture.
Barbora Ch.: I enjoy working on my thesis the most — now my master's, before that my bachelor's. I'm part of a great research group that passes on so much knowledge. What I love most is that you're not just learning theory — you're genuinely involved in research and become part of a team.
Barbora V.: The labs, where I can see a real result of my work.
Lukáš: The variety of each day at university — every day brings something different.
Otakar: Gradually expanding my knowledge and understanding different topics more and more.
What surprised you the most?
University isn't just a different style of teaching — it's a completely new ecosystem. Students who arrive at the faculty are often surprised by how much reality differs from their expectations. Alongside the unexpectedly friendly atmosphere and personal approach of the teaching staff, it's above all the newfound freedom that, hand in hand with demanding studies, puts their independence and time-management skills to the test.Michal: Probably the friendly, almost family-like environment. At other universities, hardly anyone knows each other, there are masses of students, and lecturers often don't know who you are. Here it's the opposite. Fewer people, and lecturers have a personal approach.
Martina: I was pleasantly surprised by the personal approach of the lecturers. If you're interested and proactive, you can get involved in genuinely fascinating projects. On the other hand, studying does require discipline.
Otakar: How approachable most of the teachers are.
Barbora V.: How much time it takes — whether it's time spent at university itself, or preparation and studying at home.
Lukáš: How incredibly liberating the freedom you have at university is. Nobody forces me to attend lectures or do this and that. And what's great about it is that you do it out of your own conviction.
Which moment or subject was the hardest for you — and how did you get through it?
Success and setbacks are both part of university life. A failed exam or a subject that seems beyond human capacity will catch up with almost everyone sooner or later. Our ambassadors share their recipe for getting through the tough times: persevere, stay focused, and don't be afraid to ask for help.Kateřina: My biggest nemesis was physics. At secondary school I hadn't built a particularly friendly relationship with it. In the end, because I was so afraid of it and made it a priority to get through, it went surprisingly smoothly.
Martina: The hardest for me was Biochemistry I. It was the first exam I didn't pass on the first attempt, so it was a disappointment — my first academic setback. In the end I gave myself more time to study and didn't give up.
Barbora Ch.: Organic chemistry, without a doubt. I ended up passing the course credit on the very last possible attempt. It's important to realise that even if something doesn't work out the first time, nothing actually falls apart. For a long time I thought I could learn it on my own, but in the end what helped most was asking fellow students who had already been through it. So my advice is: don't give up, and don't be afraid to ask for help from the people around you — it often makes a bigger difference than you'd expect.
Michal: Throughout my entire studies, I still think back to the first and only time I was turned away from the Organic Chemistry 2 exam. I probably hadn't studied enough and didn't understand the material. Then I just sat down with it and learned it.
Otakar: Analytical Chemistry II, or Transport Phenomena. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and push through, and then you can only hope for the best.
Barbora V.: When I failed my first (and thankfully so far only) exam in June. I gave myself a few days off from studying, met up with friends, did things I enjoy, and the second time I passed.
Lukáš: The hardest thing was and still is balancing university, work, hobbies, and personal life. I wouldn't say I've fully got through it, but somehow you have to find the balance.
And when did you first think "this makes sense"?
Kateřina: Most of all during my bachelor's thesis. I felt that what I was doing had added value, it connected with practice, and I experienced the feeling that chemistry can change the world.
Martina: When I started noticing how individual subjects relate to one another. Information from different areas of chemistry began to connect and make greater sense. That's what's beautiful about chemistry — everything is linked somehow.
Lukáš: When I started working in a real laboratory (not just school experiments and practicals). That just confirmed that I'd chosen chemistry for the right reasons.
Michal: The original plan was to use this university as a "stepping stone." But after the first semester and going into the second, I decided to stay. I could see the potential to develop knowledge in this field. The subjects I was taking, the lab sessions, and the approach of the lecturers I mentioned all played a part.
Barbora V.: In the inorganic chemistry labs, when my favourite lecturer came over to check how I was getting on, and his only comment was: "Beauty upon beauty."
What helped you succeed most — and what would you recommend to first-years?
According to our ambassadors, success at university doesn't rest on diligence and passion for the subject alone. The people around you play a huge role too — classmates, studying together, and a willingness to help each other out.Michal: What helped me most was realising you can't just coast through. Consulting with classmates, studying together, hearing other people's opinions and ideas.
Kateřina: Don't underestimate the start and don't fall asleep at the wheel. A lot of people struggle with procrastination and putting things off (and I'm certainly no exception), but at university it really pays to try to avoid that as much as possible.
Otakar: Find a functional study group and help each other out.
Barbora V.: Don't go through it alone — write reports with someone, work through questions in a group, but most importantly meet up outside of university too, so none of us go completely mad.
Where can your degree realistically take you — and where are you most drawn?
Chemistry is a field that opens doors to many different areas. Graduates of FCH BUT find their place in research, industry, healthcare, technology, and both the private and public sectors. Even during their studies they can get involved in projects and gradually discover where their path will lead.Barbora Ch. (Chemistry for Medical Applications): There are quite a few options, I think. One is to continue in research, whether at a university or as part of a research institute. Another is to move into industry — and there it's entirely up to you what you choose: whether you're more drawn to pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. If working directly in the lab doesn't appeal, a chemistry background can be used in other ways too — for example in roles that bridge science and communication, such as marketing or product specialist positions at scientific companies. The advantage is that you understand how products work, which is highly valued in those fields. Personally, I'm most drawn to research, because I love discovering new things and working on problems that don't yet have a clear answer.
Otakar (Chemistry and Materials Technology): Development or process engineering roles in industry, whether in silicates, polymers, metals, or composites.
Barbora V. (Chemical Technologies and Nanotechnology): I don't know yet (and thankfully I have another three years to figure it out), but I'd like to combine nanotechnology with medical applications — whether in an industrial lab or in research.
Michal (Environmental Chemistry and Technology): There are plenty of options. Analytical laboratory, environmental monitoring, waste management, water management, research, public administration, but also industry — as a production technologist or designer of chemical and energy facilities. Right now I'm most drawn to the design side.
The stories of our ambassadors confirm that even though the first steps are full of unknowns and subjects like organic chemistry or physics can sometimes be a real challenge, with mutual support from classmates and an approachable teaching staff even the greatest obstacles can be overcome. The reward is a course of study that makes genuine sense and opens doors to innovative projects and modern industrial practice. So if you're still unsure whether chemistry is the right choice for you, remember the advice from our students: ask questions, collaborate, and don't be afraid to take that first step — because it might just be the beginning of a journey that takes you much further than you ever imagined.
In one sentence:
Why FCH BUT?Kateřina: Because girls from technical universities are awesome!
Michal: Chemistry — not just as a science, but also technically and practically.
Lukáš and Martina: Because chemistry is love. ❤️
What would you put in a first-year's essential kit?
Otakar: Einstein in your pocket.
Lukáš: Caffeine and nerves of steel.
Martina: Sleep.
Barbora Ch.: Our handbook :D
Michal: In first year you don't really know what's coming yet. So I'd give a first-year the ability to look into the future and know exactly what to expect.
-lv-
The article was published in the faculty periodical Derivát, issue 4
Recently we gathered with our entire ambassador team to look back on the past year together and plan activities for the year ahead. It was a meeting full of ideas, inspiration, and reflection on what we'd achieved. We also said goodbye to newly minted engineers Lukáš and Michal, who successfully completed their studies and are heading off to new challenges in their professional lives. Joining the team as new ambassadors are Gabča (Chemistry and Food Technology) and Andrea (Applied Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Chemistry). Their profiles will be available here very soon:
FCH BUT AMBASSADOR TEAM
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| Link | https://www.fch.vut.cz/en//f96620/d342127 |