Frank Robertson, a first-semester PA student, found himself distressed after receiving a 60% on his first clinical medicine exam. Despite his motivation and commitment, including moving across the country and dedicating numerous hours to studying, he struggled to achieve the desired results. Situations like Frank's are not uncommon, and addressing them effectively is crucial for improving retention and persistence rates among students. This blog will explore approaches that programs can take to support student success.

Implement Skill Development

In the early weeks of the first semester, it is highly recommended to offer a series of success workshops. These workshops might seem elementary, but it's important not to overestimate students' skill levels. Many students struggle to adjust to the rapid pace of the curriculum. Acquiring these skills is essential for success. Here are some topics that have proven effective over the years:

• Creating a study plan and daily schedule

• Developing an academic or educational learning plan

• Developing effective strategies to manage the volume of course content

• Developing study aids and tools (e.g., graphic organizers, flashcards, diagrams, tables)

• Enhancing team processes and performance

• Enhancing test-taking strategies (including how to read and answer PANCE-style questions and how to improve performance on standardized tests)

• Improving note-taking approaches

• Improving strategies for review and self-testing

• Managing time effectively and efficiently

• Organizing and synthesizing information

• Pre-reading techniques

Incorporate Consistent Academic Counseling

Using a standardized academic counseling form is advisable whenever students seek academic guidance. Documenting these conversations and placing them in the student’s file provides a longitudinal record of their progress. This practice ensures that advisors can offer tailored and consistent support over time.

Implement Academic Improvement Plans

Monitoring student performance in specific courses can reveal potential struggles. The program's assessment system can use tools such as regression analysis to identify predictive courses. Performance on assessments like the end-of-didactic-year PACKRAT can indicate if students need academic improvement plans as they transition to the clinical year. These plans should be supportive and informative, offering real-time recommendations for improvement. Continuous positive reinforcement, rather than simply advising students to "study harder," is essential for fostering academic growth.

Summary and Conclusions

Frank met with his advisor, who reinforced the importance of skill development and study techniques introduced at the beginning of the semester. This conversation helped identify specific weaknesses, such as a lack of maintenance study in heavy content courses. By implementing the advisor’s recommendations, such as rewriting notes and pre-reading lecture materials, Frank improved his score by 20% on the next test. Although the names are fictional, similar situations occur frequently. With empathy, compassion, and constructive feedback, students can significantly improve their academic performance.