Here are 6 important steps to start your public health semester.
The start of the semester is a fresh, new time to make the most out of what is to come ahead. Every new semester is a chance to reinvent yourself while enabling you to make the most out of the learning and experiences.
Even if you use one of these and not all of these, you are bound to gain a lot from the semester ahead. It is tough to change your mindset, but by having the bigger picture at hand allows you to shift your behaviors to align with what you envisions for your success. Everyone is unique in how they approach their upcoming semesters in public health, but everyone wants to start this off as strongly as possible.
Implement some or all of these 6 steps to better start off this semester as a public health student.
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(Related: 6 Things To Stop Doing As A Public Health Student)
1. Crush Your First Exams
I had the tendency in undergraduate to always mess up my first exam for classes. This is one of the single most important factors I changed going into my Master of Public Health.
We all have a tendency to take the beginning of a semester a bit too relaxed. Which can hamper getting into a groove to do well in a class. Who likes to start off the semester by completely setting yourself back from your first exam? Starting off poorly is a recipe for preventable stress. It also gives you leeway to do worse on later exams – but you aren’t going to do that.
By ensuring that you are prepared for your first exam. And doing well. You are increasing the probability of you doing well in the class. Starting off well shows your professor that you are taking things seriously. Can I say good recommendations?
Make it a point this semester to start off on a strong foot and crush your first exams. The rest of the semester will thank you!
2. Start Building Relationships
No matter what level of your career you are at, it is never too early to start building relationships. A.k.a. networking.
There is value in building relationships and lots to learn from it too. Some important relationships to build as a public health student are: with your cohort, with professors, with program director, with non-profit leaders, with the internship coordinator, and of course through online communities.
One thing I would note is that it’s important to not only build relationships upwards, but also sideways and downwards. This just means to ensure that you are intentionally connecting to persons ahead of you in career, your peers, as well as helping those looking up to you.
When you are starting to build relationships, try to make them more than just about your professional desires. Share personal insights, give value, and make genuine connection. The earlier you start building relationships, the better off you will be in the long run.
(Related: Important Questions To Ask In Public Health Informational Interviews)
3. Figure out important skillsets
Okay I get it, public health is a vast field with too many options right. Right, but don’t let that stop you from getting some sort of direction in where you want to go. You don’t have to end up there, but having direction helps to guide your choices during your semester.
There are many ways to figure this out. Whether that’s through informational interviews, chatting with colleagues/bosses, finding mentors, listening to The Public Health Millennial Career Stories Podcast, or it could simply be from in-depth LinkedIn stalking.
There are many paths in public health. Many which require widely different competencies and skillsets. The calluses you take are going to be the main driver in you developing whichever skillsets you need. However, if you feel like you don’;t have a necessary skillset for a job – don’t just sit down and complain, go and seek out opportunities to get these skillsets. At the end of the day, learning and experiences are what you make of it.
Note you can gain skillsets from coursework, independent learning, or real-world experience.
4. Start Organized
Being organized is a key way to lessen stress and be on top of all that goes on as a public health student. There are going to be lots coming your way and it will feel like you’re drinking out of a fire hydrant sometimes. Thus, I encourage you to start the semester being organized.
What organization looks like varies from person to person. What is important is that you figure out an organization technique that works for you. It might not make sense to your friend, but that’s okay it’s not for them.
Some important things you’d want to be organized around would be:
- Organizing computer files. It’s helpful to organize by semester by course.
- Have notebooks or online note systems for all your courses.
- Make sure that you are noting important deadlines.
- Keep your space where you are studying and working organized.
- Keeping your resume update. Monthly updates to a master resume is helpful.
There is no one right way to be organized throughout your public health semester. Just make sure whatever you’re doing works for you.
5. Build a Routine
I didn’t do this as well as I could have during my Master of Public Health, however that’s why I’m here sharing to better assist you.
Routines can sometimes feel like a chore, but really they are a great way to get out of your head and automate important parts of your life. Whether you are simply trying to develop a routine to get up at a certain time of day. This small step can help to spur you down a path of increased productivity throughout your semester.
Building routines can work hand in hand with your organization technique. It can leave your brain with more space to take on the tough challenges of being a public health student. Having a routine that you don’t have to think about can be an effective way to free up the brain space and energy.
Simpler routines you may want to develop are: backing your bag the night before class, choosing outfits the night before class, writing down your schedule and to-do’s the night before, setting time for workouts or even to meet with friends or making time for school clubs/events. Small habits that are your routine have a way to increase overall efficiency. If you need to start with one small item to form your routine and add slowly afterwards that’s okay. The important part is that you are taking the small step to put in place routines that will benefit you throughout your entire public health semester.
6. Have Decompression Time
Your time as a student should not be overwhelming. At least not all the time. Students are prone to burnouts and getting overwhelmed by all the things on their plates. Thus an imperative part of starting your semester right is ensuring that you are setting aside time to decompress.
Decompressing is different for everyone. Some people need decompression every day, others may only need a couple events a week or month. Do you know what you do to relax and decompress from the stressful public health student life? Decompression could be watching your favorite Netflix show, reading a non-school related book, going to the club/bar, going to see a movie, sleeping in on the weekends, playing video games, etc..
There is no right way to decompress. The important thing is that you are setting time aside to do so. Whatever stage of your public health journey you are at, being a student should be one of the most fun parts of your life. Don’t take everything too seriously. Before you know it you’ll be out of school so ensure you’re making the time to really enjoy and reflect upon all the great times you are having.
Summary
Use these 6 important steps to start your public health semester the right way. Every semester is a new opportunity to put your best foot forward. Use the start of the semester to get your leg up on everyone and start crushing your public health journey.
- Crush your first exam
- Start building relationships
- Figure out important skillsets
- Start organized
- Build a routine
- Have decompression time
I shared these 6 steps that you can take to better start your public health semester. Whether you use one or all of these, you are sure to set yourself up for a successful semester ahead with the implementation of these.
Which of these 6 tips are you going to use going into this public health semester?
