Peer Tutoring
Welcome to the UTRGV School of Medicine Tutoring Program
SOM Students: Please use the following link to schedule a tutuoring session: https://utrgv.accudemia.net/
Goal
The goal of the tutoring program is to help medical students become more self-sufficient, self-aware, and resourceful in their learning process by proving supplemental learning beyond, but not replacing, the classroom instruction.
Purpose
The tutoring program at UTRGV School of Medicine is a supplemental academic support service that provides opportunities for students to develop their content-based knowledge and critical thinking strategies required for both academic and professional success.
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutoring is intended to provide academic support to students wishing to receive help with their modules outside of the classroom environment. Selected Year 2 and Year 3 medical students provide tutoring to Year 1 and Year 2 students, respectively. Peer tutors have successfully completed the SOM modules in which they are tutoring and participate in training seminars to further develop their tutoring skills.
The tutoring program should help you with:
- Learning to utilize fellow classmates, upper-class students, professors, and other resources in coping with medical school.
- Learning to maximize the effort and time put into studying through self- awareness, experimentation, and application.
- Understanding and putting to use principals of time management and pacing necessary for academic success at UTRGV School of Medicine.
Services Available:
- Academic support in pre-clerkship medical curriculum
- Specialty area tutoring in Anatomy Lab, Clinical Skills and Organ-Based Modules
- Individual Tutoring
- Group Tutoring
- Online Tutoring
- Module/Quiz Review Sessions
- Resource Sessions
Peer tutors can help you with:
Understanding and putting to use principles of time management and pacing necessary for academic success at UTRGV School of Medicine.- How to study for the modules; each module is different and may require a different study approach to maximize learning
- Deciphering what is most important in a course and how to obtain that information
- Maintaining a steady schedule and staying on top of your coursework
- Searching out answers to your questions
- Reproducing what you have learned in order to fully assimilate information
Tutoring Services are available as follows:
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutors are intended to provide an additional level of academic support to students wishing to receive help with their modules outside of the classroom environment. Selected Year 2 students/ peer tutors provide tutoring to Year 1 students. Peer tutors have successfully completed the SOM modules and have gone through prescribed training. Peer tutors are also encouraged to comply with all duties assigned to them, as described in their Peer Tutor Handbook.
Specific responsibilities include but not limited to,
- Providing individual or group tutoring curricular modules
- Facilitating review sessions for assigned tutees
- Collaborating with other peer tutors, faculty tutors, and module directors to facilitate review sessions to tutees as needed
- Assist with assessing and guiding the tutee's reasoning and problem-solving skills
- Assisting tutees with best study skills practices
- Encouraging tutees to conceptualize their understanding of basic science knowledge, practice integration, and application of knowledge to all aspects of their learning experiences
- Assisting with monitoring the progress of your assigned tutees and reporting unusual behavior to the Director of Medical Student Academic Support.
- Participating in scheduled tutoring debriefing sessions with the Director of Medical Student Academic Support
- In addition to providing academic support, peer tutors are expected to keep proper documentation and logistics during their individual and group session by utilizing the following forms:
Expectations of Students:
- Please notify your tutor if you are not able to attend a tutoring session within 24 hours.
- Arrive for your tutoring appointment on time.
- Keep in mind that your tutors are students, too, with their own workload and deadlines. Therefore, out of respect for them and their time, please come to sessions prepared, having read the assignments for that session.
- Tutors will attempt to arrange a mutually agreed time for tutoring. If you cannot make that time because of other obligations, please notify the tutor in advance.
- Although tutoring services are free and at no cost to you, the School of Medicine pays tutors. If you decide not to utilize the tutoring services, it is imperative that you contact the tutors and Office of Academic Advising.
- Please be advised that the Office of Academic Advising and Academic Support monitor absences in tutoring sessions. You could be removed from the tutoring group if you do not attend 3 sessions in a row without prior notification.
- In efforts to provide exceptional tutoring services, students are highly encouraged to evaluate their tutoring experience by completing surveys.
FAQ About Peer Tutoring
Who is eligible for tutoring?
Tutoring is available to all enrolled School of Medicine students.
What is the cost to use tutoring services?
Peer tutoring is free to all UTRGV School of Medicine students.
Who would be my peer tutor?
Peer tutors are second- and third-year students who have successfully completed the modules with passing grades. They are recommended by module directors and professors. A peer tutor maintains good academic standing, has a strong interest in student success, knowledge of the subject matter, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
How do I sign up for tutoring?
The peer tutoring schedule is posted on a weekly basis in Accudemia. You can sign up for a tutoring session through Accudemia for that week’s schedule.
Additionally, a list of tutors with their email is available for you to contact them directly for an appointment. You can also call our office at (956) 296-1924 to schedule an appointment.
When should I see a tutor?
You should utilize tutoring throughout your medical educational studies. Tutoring is helpful, regardless of passing/failing academic scores.
How do I make the most out of peer tutoring?
Try your best to identify areas you would like to work on. Be prepared for your sessions. Let your peer tutor know your specific needs or concern. E-mail your tutor specific questions in advance of your sessions so they may adequately prepare.
Additional Questions?
Contact Us at (956) 296-1924 or SOMtutoring@utrgv.edu
FAQ for the Potential Peer Tutor
What is the role of Peer Tutors?
A peer tutor work with students individually or in small groups of up to 3 to clarify information, review specific module material, and encourage effective study skills and to use appropriate resources. Tutors are encouraged to stimulate critical thinking, foster an understanding of the "big picture," and help students become active participants in the learning process. They are to assist and not assume the role of the module director or professor
What is the process of becoming a Peer Tutor?
If you are interested in being a tutor and you meet the requirements, come to the Academic Support/Learning Resources Center to complete the application materials. Please note that all new tutors are required to participate in “Basic Training for Peer Tutors” prior to doing the job of tutoring During training, tutors will learn how to work with students from diverse background, about the role and expectations required of tutors, tutoring locations, information for compensation, encounter forms, documenting tutoring sessions with students, and tutor surveys.
What are the benefits of peer tutoring?
Peer tutors get satisfaction by assisting their peers or tutees. Peer tutors gain experience in teaching, which they can include in their resume or CV when applying for residency. Tutors benefit by reviewing basic science topics, as they prepare for tutoring sessions. This review can be especially helpful in preparing a student for Step 1 of the USMLE. Tutors receive monetary compensation for their efforts and time.
Additional Questions?
Contact Us at (956) 296-1717 or SOMtutoring@utrgv.edu