Welcome to the RSPH family!

By: Joana Rosales, 1st Year – Epidemiology

Starting a new journey in a completely new city can be kind of scary, but also quite exciting as there is a lot to explore. (Atlanta has a lot to offer!) Regardless of how you feel, rest assured that Emory is here to welcome you with open arms. Once you join Rollins, you become part of the family. This family wants you to succeed and will stop at nothing to ensure your time at Rollins is an unforgettable one. In order to accomplish this, Rollins has several points of contact that can help students along this new journey.

Your first point of contact is usually your department ADAP. The ADAPs hold a great wealth of knowledge and understand your worries as incoming students. They are there to guide you through the process of registering for classes, and have so much advise to offer. They are great resources that know about special classes and electives offered each semester. They also help you stay on track for graduation and guide you through every graduation requirement. In the event that they are not able to help you in a specific situation, they know who to send you to. Get to know your ADAP and make sure to reach out to them for anything. They are more than happy to help.

Another important point of contact is the Office of Career Development. Time flies when you are having fun, and I’m here to tell you that two years will be gone in no time. That means that practicum and job offers are just around the corner. The Office of Career Development hosts a lot of events that are meant to prepare us for the real world. No matter how well you think you are prepared for interviews, or how good your resume looks, you can always benefit from visiting a career coach or one of their many information sessions. Rollins has a lot of resources and connections with employers, so there is no need to worry. But I highly recommend you take advantage of the resources available to you. After all, you want to make sure to present your best self.

Life at Rollins is great, but life can sometimes derail our plans. It is important to note that this family is here for you when things are not going as planned. Rollins also has resources for students to help us through those unforeseeable tough times. The Emory University Student Health Services (EUSHS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Office of Health Promotion (OHP) all work together to ensure students are healthy. They are conveniently located near Rollins and very accessible. Being sick is the worst, especially while being away from home, but the student health services are great. Sometimes the stress of school or the worries of life can add up and it is important to recognize when you need additional support and not be afraid to seek help. Just knowing those resources are available can be very reassuring.

One major thing that has made my first year at Rollins so great, has been the many great friends I have made here. Never have I been part of a community of students that want each other to succeed. Study groups are a thing and I recommend finding a group that you feel comfortable in. Aligning with other students is a great idea. They will relate to you on so many levels, because they are going through the same things. Homework and long study sessions can seem doable when sharing it with some of your closest friends. Not only that, but when you are ready to celebrate, they will also be the greatest partners in crime. Do not underestimate the power that friendship and collaboration can have on your experience at Rollins.

Like any family there are many ways in which you can feel this support. Rollins does a great job of providing that support, but as the adults we are, we hold the responsibility to take full advantage of all the resources available. Remember you are investing in yourself and you should not hold yourself back. If nothing else, make sure you get involved and really use the many outlets of support Rollins provides you. You are bound to love this family and we are all excited to welcome you!