A Survival Guide to Your First Semester at RSPH

This post was originally published in August 2023, and is being reposted for incoming students on August 26, 2024.

Welcome to the new semester! To help you prepare, dive into the following survival guide.

Written by Franchesca “Fran” Amor Aguilar and Dannelle “Dede” Charles

We, your former EPI student representatives (Fran & Dede), are excited to welcome both new and returning students to Rollins as you embark on your journey to obtaining an MPH/MSPH. Whether you’re just starting at RSPH or coming back for your second year, here are some tips that will help you come out of this semester triumphant, or at least like Destiny’s Child’s song, a survivor.

Stay on Track with all your Assignments. Now, we know what you’re thinking, “Of course, I’m keeping track of all of my assignments.”, With all the required core courses, you will be taking during your first semester, it is important that you have at least some methods to keep track on assignments and due dates. Here’s an example that one of your student reps created for the spring semester. You can also transfer this Excel sheet into your Outlook calendar to receive reminders when they are due. It’s not foolproof since due dates can change throughout the semester, but it is a start.

Don’t Be Afraid to ask Questions. Students come to Rollins with a range of experiences in public health. For some students, what is taught in your courses might be a refresher; for others, it is completely new. Regardless, the courses in our program are catered to every student; and your professors don’t expect you to know everything. Yes, it can be a bit nerve-racking to ask a question in a lecture hall filled with almost 200 people, but more than likely, another person is probably scared to ask the same question you have. There is no such thing as a stupid question, you’re only discouraging yourself. 

Collaborate with your Peers on Assignments. Most of your courses are designed for you to work with your peers, including your labs and homework assignments. Although working with your peers is highly advised, we condemn copying off your peer’s work because that is an honor code violation. Instead, we encourage you to take the time to complete the assignment individually and then review your answers with your peers. You can get clarity on areas you are still not understanding and/or reassure yourself about your answers.

Take Time to Practice Self-Care. Purchasing an iced matcha latte at Dancing Goats as a “little treat” does not count as self-care. We mean taking the time out of your day to do something for your mental and physical well-being. This includes exercising, meditating, journaling, etc. There are going to be times in your first semester when you find yourself overwhelmed with juggling the course load, work, and maintaining a social life, but finding that time for yourself, whether it be 10 minutes or an hour every day, will make a difference in how you navigate it all.

Extra Tips & Tricks

• You can download your class schedule onto your Outlook and Apple calendar from OPUS! 
• Check out all the different organizations at Rollins and at Emory University. As a graduate student, you have access to all buildings and events hosted by Emory!
• Bring Tupperware to campus — there are so many events with FREE food, so take advantage!
• Utilize all the resources available at Rollins. Don’t know where to find them? Start here!

Franchesca “Fran” Amor Aguilar

Updated August 2023

Fran is a second-year MPH Candidate in Epidemiology also in the Infectious Disease certificate. Fran is originally from Honolulu, Hawai’i, and her primary research interests are infectious disease epidemiology, vaccine epidemiology, outbreak response, and health inequities. Prior to attending Rollins, Fran attended Gettysburg College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in East Asian Studies on the Chinese track. She is the co-president of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Association (APIDA), a member of the First-Gen at Rollins advisory board, a Rollins Student Ambassador, and is one of the RSGA Department of Epidemiology student representatives.

Dannelle “Dede” Charles

Updated August 2023

Dede is a second-year MPH Candidate in Epidemiology also in the Maternal and Child Health certificate. Dede is from Orlando, Florida, and her primary research interests are Black infant and maternal morbidity/mortality, maternal substance use, and Black & Indigenous/Latine reproductive health. Prior to attending Rollins, Dede attended the University of South Florida, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Public Health. She is one of the RSGA Department of Epidemiology student representatives.