I found the seniors’ advice was clear, reasonable and realistic. I have a better understanding of how we can optimize our last few months before exams and plan accordingly”, said Sadiyah Khan, III MBBS student after attending the ‘If I were you…’, a peer-advising session organized by the College of Medicine on February 8, 2024 at GMU.
The goal of the event was to share personal experiences by IV MBBS students to benefit their immediate juniors, the III MBBS students. It was an attempt to motivate, guide and engage in beneficial strategies to prepare well for the Phase 2 examination, as success in it determines their progression to the clinical years. The event witnessed an impressive student turn out who actively participated in a lively discussion with the speakers.
The resource persons were Khadija Jalal, Hisham Mustafa, and Wesam Darwich, students who are currently in the clinical phase of the MBBS Program. They addressed concerns and questions raised by the III MBBS students, while also providing them with suggestions on how to organize themselves to prepare for the upcoming exams. They emphasized the importance of the preclinical sciences which laid the foundation for the clinical years.
The event was organized by Dr. Mehzabin Ahmed, Chair of Career Advising Committee. Dr. Janita Pinto, MBBS Phase II Director emphasized “Senior students are a beacon of guiding light for their juniors in both academics and personal development”. Benzil Binu and Olla Hafiz resonated similar feelings “They shared some good resources and how to utilize them in the best way. It was motivating and at the same time a bit daunting”.
Prof. Rolf Hartung and Dr. Janita Pinto awarded the speakers with certificates of appreciation. Commending the senior students on their interest to contribute to learning and progress of other students’, Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor Academics and Dean COM, said, “Peer advising is one of the several international best practices followed in the College of Medicine, GMU, to support students in their academic journey. It motivates the juniors to do better and enriches the portfolio of the seniors.”
These efforts, among many others, are geared towards outcome competencies of our signature MBBS program offered by the College of Medicine that are aligned to the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) Quality Standards, USA in addition to being aligned to international competency frameworks like ACGME, CanMEDS etc.