Naturopathy students in Switzerland: organise your training portfolio

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For naturopathy students in Switzerland, documents soon accumulate: programmes, notes, certificates and messages from the school. An organised training portfolio makes them easier to find when needed. The aim is not to create a perfect folder, but to know what you have completed, what still needs clarification and where your supporting documents are stored.

Here is a personal method to adapt to your institution’s instructions. It is not an official examination checklist: only the relevant institution can confirm which documents and assessments your particular pathway requires.

1. Build a structure around your pathway

Start with five folders: school information, teaching sessions completed, certificates, personal work and questions to resolve. If your programme includes practical activities, add a section for the documents requested by your institution. Keep administrative records separate from revision notes so that a certificate does not disappear among course materials.

Choose a simple naming convention, such as “year-month-topic-document type”. Keep originals and clearly identify corrected versions. One main digital folder, with a backup copy, can help prevent the same files becoming scattered across several devices.

2. Keep a record of teaching sessions completed

One row per session is enough. Include its exact title, the provider, dates, the duration stated on the document received and the location of the supporting record. Add a “to confirm” column for missing information. Do not turn an estimated duration into officially validated hours: use the information on the document or ask the school for clarification.

This table is a personal reference. It helps you spot a missing certificate or a duplicate entry, but does not replace your institution’s record or the assessment arrangements for your programme.

3. Connect your notes to specific learning outcomes

For each topic, write three sentences: what you understood, what you can explain in your own words and what remains uncertain. For example, after a session on reading publications, try to identify the research question, the method used and one limitation of the article discussed.

Keep references so that you can find the materials again. Distinguish a quotation from your own interpretation and date your summaries. This habit makes revision more active and supports a precise discussion with a teacher, rather than a general feeling of “not having understood”.

4. Prepare discussions with your school

Collect your questions before a meeting: which records are missing, what format is expected, who should receive a document and how will a correction be confirmed? Afterwards, note the answer, date and contact person. If an answer concerns an important condition of your pathway, ask where to find the corresponding written instructions.

For observations or practical activities, use the templates and processes specified by your institution. In personal notes, favour fictional situations or examples from which individuals cannot be identified; avoid creating multiple copies containing personal information about third parties.

5. Carry out a short, regular review

Set aside a recurring time to file new documents, check outstanding records and choose your next question. A monthly review can fit into three lines: learning consolidated, difficulty remaining and next action. If information is missing, write down a specific step rather than leaving a folder indefinitely marked “to finish”.

You can also reuse this structure for future continuing education, while keeping personal tracking distinct from official supporting documents.

Where does a student network fit in?

The ASNFD membership pathways include a student category with suitable resources and a student forum. Placement advertisements depend on offers received and approved: membership does not guarantee a placement. According to the current fees, student membership costs CHF 150 per year.

All members receive 25% off courses under the secretariat’s arrangements; access to other resources depends on the category. Would you like to exchange ideas and prepare your membership application? Contact the secretariat about the supporting documents applicable to you, then use the membership application form. Membership, qualifications and directory listing are assessed separately.