The undergraduate program in Turkology is unique in that it offers an interdisciplinary approach and requires intensive language analysis. In order to make the most of these features, students are advised to prepare in advance in the basics of linguistics and historical textual analysis. In order to be successful in courses such as Ottoman Turkish or Contemporary Turkish Dialects in addition to Turkish, it is important to strengthen basic grammar and to increase competence in relevant foreign languages, if any, before the program begins.
Another challenge of the program is the high degree of critical thinking and independent study ability expected of students. For this reason, students are encouraged to plan their academic work in an organized manner, conducting literature reviews at regular intervals and researching topics in depth. In this process, students are encouraged to discover their own interests and specialize in these areas. In this way, they can both increase their motivation and chart a unique path in their academic or professional career.
In addition, students studying in the Turkology program need to have effective writing skills as they are required to submit a lot of written work and projects. To succeed in academic writing, students are advised to revise their writing regularly and receive feedback from their academic advisors. Conducting their studies in a disciplined manner improves their writing abilities and enriches their written forms of expression.
Finally, another challenge that Turkology students often face is that the courses are extensive and information-intensive. This can pose time management challenges, especially for beginning students. Students are advised to use their extracurricular time efficiently, consolidate what they have learned by making connections between courses and, if possible, expand their knowledge by attending relevant seminars or conferences. In this way, they can build a solid foundation in the field of Turkology and increase their academic success.