As the new semester is coming up, freshmen are also starting their new journey in medical school, considering how different college to senior high school life is. Many of them are restless because of the difference in learning methods from senior high to medical school.
Unlike senior high schools, medical schools have different education systems. In senior high, the teacher-centered method is the most common method used, while in university, the most common method used is the student-centered method. Unfortunately, students were sometimes hesitant to ask questions during large courses or lectures, which left them blank and unable to grasp the content.
To solve this problem, SCOME collaborating with HRD Team CIMSA UPH created an event called EAGLE (Educational Academic Guidance for Learning Enrichment). EAGLE is a small study group session that reviews the current block with senior members of CIMSA UPH as a tutor to support the learning process of freshmen who are still in an adjustment period from senior high medical school. The tutor has been equipped with training about teaching, learning, and presentation skills to enhance the study experience.
In EAGLE Trial, new students get the chance to discuss the first blocks in FK UPH which are critical thinking, bioethics, and biochemistry. Unlike the usual classes, EAGLE provides a more relaxed environment where students can freely discuss questions with their seniors and peers, which increases their motivation to study. Besides that, freshmen can also create new friends with senior members of CIMSA UPH and their other peers.
New students are provided with a module containing a summary of all CTB blocks and biochemistry. This module guides the students and tutors during small group sessions. Furthermore, through EAGLE trial, students are being prepared for their new medical student life while the senior members of CIMSA UPH can improve their abilities as peer educators. In addition to that, an online try-out was also conducted to assess the students’ knowledge after the activity and to prepare them for the upcoming end block examination
All in all, we hope that this activity could help new students during their transition period from high school to university, create new connections between seniors and juniors, as well as increase the peer educator’s ability of senior members of CIMSA UPH.