Student Success Program

Change	Make the decision to implement a new perspective when under uncertainty.
Courage	You will need the nerve to perform your very best.
Discipline	Super achievers are led by high-quality habits - to rise above all.
Motivation	Feel good about yourself knowing this career will help others on a daily basis.
Success	Practicing the art of medicine and love of humanity.

The mission of the Student Success Program is to creatively promote diligence, competence, compassion, and optimism in our students. We do this by encouraging, supporting, and modeling those qualities.

Academic Advising Description

Academic advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning (National Academic Advising Association, 2004).

The Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) Academic Advisor/Peer Tutoring Program Supervisor, Medical Education Learning Specialist, and medical students play important roles in the advising process. 

Student/Advisee Responsibilities

Schedule advising appointments with either:

• Prepare a list of questions/concerns before meeting. 

• Meet academic deadlines for registering and dropping/adding coursework. 

• Read BSOM mail and university e-mail accounts to be informed regarding announcements and, pertinent information requiring compliance. 

• Know the requirements of the BSOM programs and work closely with either Dr. Johnson, or Ms. Hipple to ensure that requirements are completed. 

• Take responsibility and ownership for success. 

• Follow through on suggested actions or resources. 

• Follow-up meetings on academic programs with either Dr. Johnson or Ms. Hipple

Learning Support Team Responsibilities

• Be available to meet with students by appointment or walk-in and be responsive to email and telephone inquiries.
• Discuss academic performance and implications of performance in an open and honest manner.
• Be a responsive listener and refer students to appropriate referral support services that can assist with achieving success at BSOM.
• Provide information, consultation, and resources to assist students in preparing for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 2 CS and other licensure exams.
• Monitor student’s progress.
• Develop techniques and activities focused on study strategies, time management and test-taking techniques.
• Provide information and resources to assist with enhancing and developing academic success skills that will contribute toward the student becoming an effective lifelong learner.
• Provide informative workshops and seminars. 

• Serve as a resource to all students, particularly new students regarding academic requirements, policies, and procedures. 

• Triage with Student Affairs and Admissions staff and faculty to facilitate academic progress of all students - to meet the individual student's and the institution’s overall educational objectives.

Student Success Initiatives

Get Acquainted Day

Offered to all newly admitted students, Get Acquainted Day provides an opportunity for students to begin making connections with either Dr. Johnson or Ms. Hipple to get a better understanding of the resources available to support their academic success.

Study Strategies, Techniques and Tips

Students are provided information related to strategies, techniques and tips for studying while in medical school, including authoritative resources available on the Department of Medical Education-Study Strategies: Medical School Pilot page (OME). 

Workshops and Seminars

Students will have opportunities throughout the academic year to participate in many workshops and seminars intended for success. Some examples include:

Prematriculation Program

Incoming medical students have an opportunity to participate in a 3-week Prematriculation Program.  This program provides early exposure to BSOM first-year course material. Dr. Johnson, and Ms. Hipple meet with newly admitted non-traditional students both at orientation and individually to assist students to better understand and make the needed transitions related to the rigorous demands of medical school.

Strategies and techniques related to learning how to study, time management, self-directed learning, and test taking strategies are introduced to students. 

Effective Self-Directed Learning

One of several seminars facilitated by either Dr. Johnson, or Ms. Hipple intended to enhance students’ success is on effective self-directed learning. Research articles are provided on the Medical Student: Study Strategies BAMS page.

Reading Medical School Textbooks

Students are introduced to strategies for improving reading comprehension and retention. They are also provided tips on active reading, reading chapters in short intervals, and formulating questions about chapter content based on preview reading. Students are also provided tips on maintaining a strong focus while reading. The main objective is to encourage students to have a specific goal in mind to improve focus and reading for comprehension.

6-Part Mini Series: Strategies for Effective Learning

During the Upstream Medicine and, the Origins I course/modules, students will participate in six series of Strategies for Effective Learning seminars - developed by The Learning Scientist who are cognitive psychological scientist interested in research on education.  The main research focus is the science of learning.

Peer-to-Peer Tutoring and Peer-Led Group Learning Event Reviews

Trained medical students facilitate peer-to-peer group tutoring sessions. These are live sessions with medical students (i.e., Team365, WebEx, and chat). Sessions run up to 1-1/2 hours. Peer Leaders tutors also facilitate/co-facilitate weekly Peer-Led Group Learning Event Reviews covering PI and TBL content, and exam review sessions throughout the academic year. These will be announced via email from Dr. Johnson (i.e., M-2 students) and/or Ms. Hipple (M-1 students). The Review sessions run up to 2.0 hours and all PPTs, and recordings are made available to students in the BAMS Learning Events page.

Motivation for Exam Taking

There are times when students need a little motivational quote to get them through exam time and to help them really excel. Motivational quotes are posted and are printable from the OME.2017 – Study Strategies Pilot page.

USMLE Step Exam Workshops

Step 1

Second-year medical students will participate in a mandatory USMLE Step 1 Prep Workshop, facilitated by Dr. Johnson, Ms. Hipple, and faculty. This workshop takes place in the winter of the academic year (November).

Beginning mid-December, students are invited to participate in a series of USMLE subject-related seminars facilitated by third-year Peer Leaders – concluding with a small group workshop on “Creating Your Dedicated Study Schedule.”

Information and handouts from the workshop are posted on the BAMS Learning Events page for students' future reference.

Step 2 CK and CS

The Academic Advisor/Peer Tutoring Program Supervisor along with the Medical Education Learning Specialist plans, coordinates and facilitates (with Peer Leader Tutors and faculty) a USMLE Step 2 CK workshop in an academic year - winter and spring, respectively.  Students will receive clerkship authoritative resource information generated by the Academic Advisor from peers who have completed their third year. This information will be emailed and posted on the Learning Events BAMS page. Information related to NBME updates or, changes to the Step 2 CK and CS examinations are posted on the BAMS page.

Other Student Success Support Services

The BSOM’s Information for Current Medical Students houses other student services links, such as computing resources, disability services, student health services and programs, legal services and more.