Program Overview

Academic Enhancement Program

The Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) is designed to provide real-time support to students in the St. George's University School of Medicine (SGUSOM). The program is administered through the Department of Educational Services (DES) and is intended to help students succeed in the fast-paced learning environment of medical school.

Program Overview

Successful learners in the SGUSOM are self-directed, organized, adaptable, and resilient. The AEP is designed to support students in developing these skills and to provide a sense of community and connection with peers. The program includes a range of activities and requirements, including:

• Meeting with an AEP Faculty Advisor
• Attending AEP Peer Learning Group sessions
• Attending Open Peer Learning Group sessions
• Attending DES Learning Strategies workshops
• Completing student support questionnaires

AEP Faculty Advisor

Each student in the AEP is assigned a Faculty Advisor who is available to provide academic and non-academic support. Students are required to meet with their Faculty Advisor at least once during the term, and are encouraged to check in with their advisor through virtual meetings or email at least one other time during the term.

Peer Learning Groups

The AEP includes two types of Peer Learning Groups: AEP Peer Learning Groups and Open Peer Learning Groups. AEP Peer Learning Groups are closed groups that are led by AEP cohort leaders and are only open to AEP students. Open Peer Learning Groups are open to all students and provide an opportunity for students to practice application of course content in a low-stakes environment.

DES Learning Strategies Workshops

The DES offers a range of workshops to help students develop effective learning strategies and to enhance their academic performance. Students are required to attend at least three of these workshops during the semester.

Program Requirements

The AEP has a range of requirements, including:

• Meeting with an AEP Faculty Advisor
• Attending all 11 mandatory AEP Peer Learning Group sessions
• Attending a minimum of 10 Open Peer Learning Group sessions
• Attending a minimum of 3 DES Learning Strategies workshops
• Completing three student support questionnaires

Attendance Schedule

The AEP has a detailed attendance schedule, which includes:

• AEP Peer Learning Group sessions, which are held weekly
• Open Peer Learning Group sessions, which are held weekly
• DES Learning Strategies workshops, which are held regularly throughout the semester

Additional Details

The AEP also includes a range of additional details, including:

• Academic performance: students who do not perform well on exams may be invited to meet with the School of Medicine advisory team
• Responding to communications: students are required to respond to communications from the AEP team in a timely manner
• Required surveys/questionnaires: students are required to complete a range of surveys and questionnaires, including an initial self-reflection, a post-exam 2 reflections survey, and an AEP end-of-term reflection

Frequently Asked Questions

The AEP also includes a range of frequently asked questions, including:

• Can I change my AEP Peer Learning Group?
• Can I attend a different cohort's AEP Peer Learning Group?
• What do I do if I miss my AEP Peer Learning Group?
• What is the difference between AEP Peer Learning Groups and Open Peer Learning Groups?
• How many Peer Learning Groups can I attend each week?
• When will I attend my first Open Peer Learning Group?
• Where are the AEP and Open Peer Learning Groups held?
• How many AEP Peer Learning Group sessions can I miss?
• What do I do if group learning is not for me?