Advice from current/ graduated MPHers to students starting this fall

[Ilovecoffee]

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So now that the agonizing decision making process is over, I know I'm going to UMich, and will be starting in the MHSA program this fall.

I wanted to put a couple of questions out there for all current MPHers/MHAers etc.

1) How hard is biostats and the general quant classes? I had 2 math and 2 stats class as an undergrad - if it is going to be hard, should I be studying in the summer? Or what general preparations should I be doing in the summer?

2) Schedule wise, is it wise to plan on having a job your first semester? As an undergrad, I almost always had a 10 hr a week job. As a grad student is that do-able?

3) In general - what are good study habbits - studying after class everyday or on weekends? An tips on good study habbits and time management would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance 🙂
Hope its a great summer...

 

[Stories]

If you've done stats in undergrad, biostats will be exactly the same thing just applied to health. Epi is not bad if you're good with matching up a conceptual idea into numbers (not too much unlike general quantitative chemistry). Otherwise, get good at memorizing 🙂

A 10hr/wk job is more than doable. Heck, you could probably do 20hrs/wk and still be just fine. Time management is your friend!

Your classes will (probably) be once a week, so it's good to break up the material over the course of a week so that you don't cram it all into one night and try to put it to memory. This is particularly true of your quantitative classes (BS and Epi). Your other classes, treat them like you would any social science or humanities class from undergrad (unless that was cramming in one night!).

 

[xscpx]

I think Biostats is pretty easy. My undergrad stats course was much more difficult. Working full time is also totally doable.