There is an extra level of unknown as we enter this fall. So, what does Biomedicine life look like this year? 

Over the summer, EMU faculty prepared to teach both in-person with social distancing protocols and online, in order to allow for the greatest flexibility in delivery and continuity of teaching. We planned to be responsive to changing health needs of faculty, staff, and students and changing public health requirements. While a number of our lab courses require students to be residential, it is possible to limit the number of days on campus.  Classes began online and are gradually transitioning to on-campus. Second year students continue to work on their research projects. One student is gaining practical experience by working with our campus COVID tracer. 

Typically orientation is the afternoon before classes commence, and it ends with an evening meal for all of our students and some faculty. This year we started our orientation session online the week before classes started. The first meeting served to make connections for our incoming students. We held several shorter orientation events for students to learn more about policies, resources on campus (writing tutor, career services, library services, and telehealth counseling), and new practices related to COVID. Our social was a distanced, outdoor  ice cream event.  

First year students meet with their academic advisor more than once during the first semester. In the entrance advising appointments, students already express appreciation that faculty are accessible and eager to contribute to their success. 

Creating New Study Habits

During one orientation session, students reflected on their current study techniques and were encouraged to commit to trying one new approach.  Students took a quiz to see if they operated from more of a fixed or a growth mindset.  Being aware of your patterns and creating a plan to address challenges is the first step in a successful graduate school journey.  We encourage students to prioritize a balanced life by making sure they get enough rest, exercise, and eat healthily. The study skill of spaced practice requires strong time management skills and encourages you to take an active approach to studying. It works by encouraging repetition, recognizing attention spans, and is the opposite of a single, intense session. It’s more like HIIT – high intensity, interval training.  Learning involves creating a lasting foundation of knowledge that can be built upon to ensure subsequent course work will be absorbed easily. Students were encouraged to explore multiple modalities for studying: flash cards, summarizing reading, concept mapping notes or reading, teach to learn, etc.   A review of Bloom’s taxonomy helped to distinguish between memorization tasks (remember or understand) and those that are more complex (such as apply, analyze, evaluate).  

Making Connections on and off campus 

Networking is a key skill that is never too early to start practicing. We encourage you to start with your fellow EMU colleagues and faculty.  New students can look to returning students for advice on study tips and how to navigate the EMU culture.  All students should take advantage of faculty office hours, even if those that occur through Zoom. 

This fall, we are inviting professional health programs to hold online (zoom mediated) sessions.  These are exceptional opportunities to hear presentations, to ask questions, and to meet school representatives in a more intimate setting.  

Online is different, so how do I make the best of this? 

• You should attend “zoom” sessions from a location with a strong wi-fi signal and some level privacy.
• While smaller groups of students (8-10) can join the meeting from the Rutt Classroom and use the owl technology, you’ll need to be masked.  Know that it will be more difficult to be heard. 
• You should plan to leave your camera on the whole time. 
• Do your homework: look up the program and come with at least one specific question for the representative.  This question is something that should not be easily answered by looking at the website.   Professional health programs look favorably on applicants who have taken the time to know what they offer. 
• Plan to be interactive & engaged. Close other tabs, use just one screen, avoid multitasking.