The Preparatory Year Program is designed to assist the integrative process in which recent high-school graduates are guided to successfully transition into the complexity of the college context. This year marks an important shift in students’ intellectual and social mobility from the pre-college stage to the academic study stage that requires effort, research, and creativity. Accordingly, Batterjee Medical College has given greater attention to the Preparatory Year Program in order to support the development of newcomers’ scientific and personal skills and abilities and their choice of appropriate medical specialty. The program is designed to provide basic scientific theorizations and content knowledge in specific learning domains required for majors offered at BMC. In addition, the program works to enhance students’ basic skills in English, computer sciences, and communication skills. The Preparatory Year Program provides multiple extra-curricular activities and community service opportunities to support students’ development of basic life skills.
CAREER PATH
ORIENTATION
n the beginning of each academic year, an orientation is held for the purpose of supporting new students as they begin their journey as college students and preparing them for adjusting to life at BMC. A variety of activities are held during the orientation week to acclimate the students to their new surroundings and help make the transition to BMC easier. The newly joined students to the BMC community have a glimpse of everything that the college has to offer, from academic resources to student engagement opportunities and activities
FIRST-YEAR ACADEMIC ADVISING
Academic advising plays an important role in guiding students through their educational experience. It is a mutual responsibility between the advisor and the student. Academic advisors support students’ academic success and professional development since they work with students to plan their programs, understand requirements and regulations, learn about available resources and navigate the college.
Community Services
In aligning with BMC mission in serving the community, PY students are encouraged to serve and support the community internally or externally, and thus support the cause of improving the health status in Saudi Arabia.
Sports and Trips
The Student Development Unit has established a number of student clubs in various fields in order to meet the needs of PY students with different skills and interests. The student clubs allow their members to pursue their hobbies, organize a wide range of events, and participate in cultural, social, artistic, recreational, sporting and volunteering leisure activities outside the classroom.
CAREER PATH
FIRST-YEAR COUNSELING SERVICES
The core purpose of the first-year counseling unit is to support PY students through providing high-quality counseling services, including psychological counseling, social counseling, academic counseling, group therapy, and workshops. In addition to the previous services, a new exciting program called First Year Mentor Program (FIT) is introduced. FIT is a program designed to acclimate first-year students to academic, social and cultural life at BMC. BMC counseling unit mission is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that addresses the personal/social, academic and career development of all BMC students.
Workshops
The Student Development Unit offers a series of workshops throughout the academic year. These sessions cover a wide range of topics to equip students with the tools and skills to excel both academically and personally and thrive at college
Students Clubs
The Student Development Unit has established a number of student clubs in various fields in order to meet the needs of PY students with different skills and interests. The student clubs allow their members to pursue their hobbies, organize a wide range of events, and participate in cultural, social, artistic, recreational, sporting and volunteering leisure activities outside the classroom.
Accommodation
Living in a dormitory is an opportunity for students to facilitate the transition into academic life and make new friends, as well as learn about different cultures in a safe and supportive environment. Therefore, the college provides female students with well-furnished and well-equipped housing units with all the necessary facilities to create the right conditions for them to study and achieve in an exemplary high-quality educational environment and to enhance their success in a safe and comprehensive educational and living environment.
