Internal Resources

Student Success

Student Success

The Office of Student Success aims to support all students in meeting their academic potential through the delivery of evidence-based academic support services and resources. We work in collaboration with departments, units and offices across the college to empower students to develop a life-long learner mindset in pursuit of academic excellence.

Looking for assistance while in medical school with studying? Meet with a learning specialist today! The Office of Student Success can assist you in navigating the difficulty of studying while in medical school.

What Services Do We Offer?

First-year students: Peer tutoring is available from the Academic Peer Tutoring Program sponsored by the Office of Student Success. Our peer tutors have been handpicked and have knowledge or have demonstrated proficiency in the blocks. Peer tutors are current medical students trained to tutor effectively and support student’s skill development.

Please speak with your learning specialist regarding a referral for peer tutoring for one-to-one sessions or group sessions.

Drop-in tutoring hours are also offered in close proximity to block exams. Flyers will be sent to your class listserv regarding drop-in tutoring offerings. 

Second-year, third-year, and fourth-year students: Please get in touch with the Peer Tutoring Coordinator to inquire about possible peer tutoring services to meet your needs.

For further information on Peer Tutoring Services, don't hesitate to contact the Peer Tutoring Coordinator in the Office of Student Success.

 

Any student is welcome to work with a Learning Specialist to develop an individualized study plan for studying within the blocks during years one and two of medical school. Additionally, per the COM-T grading and progression policies, any student who receives a score below 75% on any high-stakes written exam is required to work with the Office of Student Success to develop and follow an approved individualized study plan.

 

Learning specialists can meet with students privately to work with you to understand your needs/goals and make recommendations for study plans and learning strategies. Each learning specialist brings a unique background to the team and specializes in different areas.

  • Experienced in providing relevant learning strategies, trouble-shooting, coaching, advocacy, and support
  • Professionals with expertise in learning theory and higher education
  • Experienced in working with post-secondary professional students
  • Works with you to understand your needs/goals
  • Remains current with accepted and appropriate instructional theory, practice, and research
  • Can teach you tools to help you connect with your studying and content

Learning specialists offer individualized, one-to-one meetings/advising. Topics for meetings vary and may include, but are not limited to:

  • Study Preparation for Step 1 and Step 2
  • Test Taking Strategies
  • Testing Anxiety
  • Study Habits
  • Motivation Issues
  • Lecture Process
  • Time Management  

During medical school you will be required to take and pass USMLE Step 1 and USMLE STEP 2 CK and CS. Both of these exams can provoke anxiety as you need to pass all of the exams in order to graduate with your M.D. Working with the Office of Student Success directly to monitor and map out your study plans and habits is quite advantageous to success on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams. Contact a learning specialist today start working on your individualized study plan for Step 1 or Step 2.

For questions regarding the testing environment for USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK, please contact our Testing Corrdinator in the Office of Student Success. 

 

Students in year two must take two NBME practice formative assessments of their exam preparedness (commonly referred to as the “Mock USMLE exams”) before the actual Step 1 examination. The Office of Student Success provides these two practice exams free of charge and will be scheduled at a specific day and time during your second year.

Practice exam results can aid in identifying the student’s strengths and weaknesses in specific systems and disciplines and help create a study plan with a learning specialist. Practice exams are only an estimate of performance at the practice exam time and cannot predict 100% your score on your actual exam day.

 

We realize retaking Step 1 can be scary and make you anxious, but the Office of Student Success provides individualized support based on each student’s need and has various classes to assist in your preparation for taking Step 1 again. Please note there is a limit to how many times a student can take Step 1 and a time limit for taking exams. Please speak with your house dean and/or refer to the COM-Tucson grading and progression policy for further information.

 

With the approval and coordination of the block directors in years one and two, the Office of Student Success can allow you to review your previous exams from the blocks. Reviewing an exam can assist you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses in specific subject matters and improve your test-taking strategies. Make an appointment today to review your exam by emailing your assigned learning specialist.

 

A student who fails a course due to unsatisfactory performance in Medical Knowledge will be given the opportunity to remediate that course in the summer unless the Student Progress Committee determines otherwise. The format of summer remediation will be developed by a content expert(s) from the block and an educational expert from the Office of Student Success.

 

For subject-specific preparation in clinical neurology, medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, please visit the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) website.

Additionally, your clerkships in year three may provide review courses or workshops for shelf exams. Contact your Clerkship Director or Coordinator to inquire about such opportunities.