A Day in the Life: Bailey Greene

Bailey Greene’s experience in the Duke Master of Biostatistics program reflects a demanding yet manageable balance of coursework, professional work, and personal life. During her first-year, Greene maintained a structured weekly routine that integrated classes, part-time employment, and consistent study habits, demonstrating strong time management and discipline. 

Her academic schedule is full, with classes spread throughout the week covering topics such as applied biostatistical methods, observational studies, SAS programming, and career preparation. She highlights the integrated nature of the curriculum, noting that concepts and coding skills, particularly in R, carry across courses, reinforcing learning and practical application.

Bailey balances these demands with a part-time role as a client success manager, working between classes and on Fridays when no classes are scheduled. Outside of class, she dedicates evenings and weekends to assignments, often structuring her work to maintain focus, grouping coding tasks together and separating analytical writing to maximize productivity. 

“The Duke Biostatistics program is fast-paced; however, there is also a tremendous amount of support and collaboration. Faculty and staff are highly accessible, frequently offering additional coding and review sessions and responding quickly to questions,” Greene says. While most of her work is independent, she occasionally connects with classmates for help, reinforcing a culture that encourages collaboration without competition. 

Importantly, Bailey is still able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She prioritizes exercise, social activities, and time with family, even if it means weaving schoolwork into small pockets of free time. This approach allows her to stay on top of assignments without working late into the night. 

Overall, her experience demonstrates that the Duke Biostatistics program is challenging yet well-structured, designed to help students succeed through strong faculty support, integrated coursework, and an environment that rewards consistent effort. “Prospective students should be prepared to work steadily and stay organized, with continuous engagement with assignments helping to prevent me from feeling overwhelmed,” says Greene.