Students in need of learning strategies advice (e.g., time- management skills, study skills, test-taking skills, reading comprehension) may seek help from faculty in Department of Education Services (DES). Students may also be referred to the DES by the AADS, academic advisors, the APRC, or the CAPPS. Learning Strategies advising is a key component of the (ITI) delivery of Years 1 and 2 material.
Department Of Educational Services
The DES plays a key role in supporting all students across all Schools and programs at SGU.
The department has 4 major groups supporting student success through each unit’s own innovative programs. DES assists students individually and in groups as they prepare for their respective study programs and offers advice on learning mastery techniques, as well as help with assessment preparation and test taking skills through a variety of programs that students can electively engage with.
DES programs at SGU have been recognized by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), a US-based international organization that represents more than 11,000 members from all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and many other countries. Members include faculty, advisors, counselors, administrators, and students – all working to promote and support the educational and academic development of students.
There are 4 major divisions of DES serving student success:
Learning Strategies Unit
The mission of the Learning Strategies Unit (LSU) is to support students in the development of effective practices to enhance their learning and academic success. The unit helps students develop conscious and intentional techniques to adapt their learning to meet the academic demands of SGU and master different academic tasks in various learning situations. The team works from the LSU curriculum to empower students to master the strategies they need to become self-directed, lifelong learners. Recognizing the importance of tailoring strategies to individual contexts and student needs, strategists deliver learning approaches through one-to-one appointments, workshops, and presentations across a wide range of topics that include, but are not limited to:
- Time and task management strategies
- Study skills
- Test preparation, test-taking and test-anxiety strategies
- Self-testing and retrieval strategies
- Long-term memory development
Supplemental Learning Unit
The Supplemental Learning (SL) unit deliver are faculty-led small group review session tailored for undergraduate senior science courses for the basic sciences; anatomy, molecular and cell biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics. The SL unit works closely with course directors to deliver strategies for learning in the context of the specific content for the courses.
SL sessions aim to help students master course content by utilizing active learning techniques. The material covered in SL groups is aligned with course content from the previous week; lab content is not covered. SL sessions are open to all enrolled students in the pre-medical courses and attendance is voluntary.
Specialized English Language Program
The Specialized English Language Program (SELP) Unit is the English and communication support network at SGU. SELP offers a variety of programs and services tailored to the needs of the SGU community. The English for Medicine Pathway (EMP) centers around academic and medical English and integrates additional English courses into the pre-clinical curriculum to allow simultaneous pre-clinical and English skill progression with only one additional semester. SELP also teaches the Communication for the Health Professions courses for the preclinical sciences. These courses develop students’ academic communication skills within a healthcare framework. The Medical Academic Communication (MAC) Program is supplemental and supports the development of communication skills with sessions tailored to meet students’ individual and program-specific communication needs. SELP’s Professional Communication Program (PCP) supports students preparing CVs and personal statements for residency.
Peer Learning and Academic Enhancement Unit
The Peer Learning and Academic Enhancement Unit (PLAE) coordinates Peer Learning Programs across the schools; these sessions offer peer learning groups and small group peer tutorials for students needing additional learning support and have an extensive facilitator training program for the students delivering the sessions. These topic-based review sessions are facilitated by eligible upper-term students. The unit is also responsible for the administration of Academic Enhancement Programs (AEP) and Pre-clinical Success teams, which are term-long, proactive retention initiatives designed to enhance student performance, that include monitoring, supporting, and advising students.
Office of Career Guidance – Basic Sciences
The Office of Career Guidance Basic Sciences is a department under the DOS office whose primary goal is to support students with navigating their careers in medicine. They are well poised to equip pre-clinical students with the knowledge and strategies to be successful in their career decisions. They are specifically aimed at mentoring students in obtaining postgraduate opportunities and residency placements in desired specialties and providing pathways and preparation to help students to maximize their chances of success. They are present to ensure that each student enters the clinical years with a complete understanding of what is required of them and to successfully transition from basic science to clinical training and beyond.
OCG- Basic Sciences achieves this by offering individualized career guidance sessions for any pre-clinical student with trained career advisors by appointment. Frequent workshops, seminars and other activities are hosted by the department both exclusively and in close collaboration with student interest groups. Mandatory lectures are delivered to all basic science students where general information, best practices and up-to-date data and trends regarding the matching process are shared.
Support is also offered for students wishing to train or practice medicine in the UK, Canada or other countries. This office connects such students with helpful resources and provides guidance to help students navigate medical training and careers wherever they choose to practice.