Research Mentor Name
Jason Booza
Research Mentor Email Address
jbooza@med.wayne.edu
Institution / Department
WSUSOM
Document Type
Research Abstract
Research Type
medicaleducation
Graduate Level Research
no
Abstract
Background: Incoming medical students at Wayne State SOM often face challenges adapting to the expectations and pace of medical school. To support this transition, the Class of 2028’s Student Senate created M101: Survival Guide, a comprehensive student-authored resource for the incoming Class of 2029.
Objective: This student-driven project aimed to provide a clear and consolidated resource to improve preparedness, reduce early academic stress, and foster smoother integration into medical school and extracurriculars.
Methods: The guide was developed through collaborative input from first-year students, incorporating personal experiences from the full M1 curriculum. Content was organized into sections covering themes such as academics, professional development, student life, and wellness. Recommendations were drawn from Independent Student Analysis data, and commonly encountered challenges during the transition into medical school.
Results: The final guide includes detailed explanations of the M1 curriculum, study strategies, and recommended resources such as Anki decks, anatomy tools, research opportunities, and social events. Additional sections address student organizations, research opportunities, mental wellness, and social/community-building events. Authors plan to collect survey data in the coming weeks on the success of this resource with aspirations to build a data-driven continuation of the tradition and improve effectiveness.
Conclusion: The M101 Survival Guide is the first iteration of a student-driven onboarding resource that supports academic readiness and enhances early engagement in the Wayne community. Senate authors hope to expand this process to other year transitions, as well as build a culture of dedicated mentorship by turning this early success into Wayne tradition.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Recommended Citation
Buck, Trevor P.; Abdelnour, David; Abdallah, Leah; Molnar, Daniel; and Booza, Jason, "Inter-Class Mentorship Improvements at Wayne Directed by Student Senate" (2026). Medical Student Research Symposium. 510.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/510