Pre-orientation course prepares medical students for academic success

Incoming students take part in a pre-orientation course designed to help them achieve academic excellence in medical school.

The Office of Academic Success at the Whiddon College of Medicine offered a pre-orientation course for incoming medical students titled Rx For Success: Achieving Academic Excellence in Medical School. Forty-seven students participated in the course, which ran July 17-20 with Zoom and in-person sections.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.A., with M2 facilitators

Emi Ferderber, Shalin Patel and Cana Brown.

Students were taught how to create implementation plans for evidence-based learning strategies, time-management, and organization skills essential to success in medical school. Additionally, they reflected on the importance of collaboration, teamwork and professional behavior as they begin their medical school journey.

The culminating assignment was to create individual learning plans using learning science and self-assessments to help them set and achieve their goals throughout the year. 

“It was great having our first-year students online and on campus to help build community,” said David S. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.A., assistant dean for institutional and academic success. “We look forward to supporting all of our medical school students with these new programs and resources as we embark on this new academic year.”

Second-year medical students Emi Ferderber, Shalin Patel and Cana Brown helped Williams facilitate the course, including teaching a full lesson on communication and professionalism. 

The Office of Academic Success plans to offer the pre-orientation course each summer. 

Incoming first-year students collaborate during a session.