The Individualized Readiness Plan (IRP) is intended to support students who have been on an extended leave of absence, to include deceleration or delay, develop strategies for success prior to re-matriculating into the COM SPAS. The IRP may be part of a required remediation. The IRP helps students identify personal strengths and opportunities for growth in the following areas:
Study habits
Time management skills
Professional development
Personal and self-care goals
Communication and feedback
Goal setting
Study guide and study plans
Students will be required to complete goals below, and/or others as specified by the PSPC. Completion of goals will require submission of written documentation to the Chair of the PSPC by the deadline listed. Failure to complete all Goals by the PSPC directed completion date may result in not re-matriculating and could result in dismissal.
*Specific deadlines for completion of each goal will be provided to student dependent on length and circumstance of deceleration, leave, or delay
Goal 1
Identification of academic strengths and weaknesses:
- What strengths did you identify during your time in the PA program?
- What weaknesses did you identify while in the PA program?
- As you prepare to return to the PA program, take a moment to consider the strengths and weaknesses you’ll bring with you. In what ways do you think these qualities might shape your growth and progress moving forward?
- What areas of the curriculum did you find most challenging, and why?
- Which subjects did you feel most confident about, and what strategies helped you master them?
Goal 2
Study habits:
- What were your study methods in PA school? How do you need to improve your study methods?
- Did you utilize the learning specialist while in the program to help develop study techniques? If so, what was most helpful that you learned from them?
- If you were assigned a tutor, did you use them? If not, why did you not utilize this resource? Do you feel you will need a tutor upon return?
- How do you organize and prioritize your study time to ensure you’re focusing on the most important topics?
- How do you assess your understanding of key concepts?
- What resources (e.g., textbooks, online resources, group studying) have been the most effective for your learning, and are there others you should explore?
- What feedback did you receive from instructors, preceptors, or peers, when you were initially in the PA program about your study habits? Did you apply that feedback when you were in the PA program? How will you apply that feedback to improve your performance when you are back in the PA program?
Goal 3
Time management skills:
- How effective was your study schedule? What changes will you make to your schedule?
- What time management strategies have been most effective for you, and where do you struggle to stay on track?
- What will be your approach to adjusting to each new semester?
- How do you handle distractions or periods of procrastination, and what changes can you make to stay focused?
- What adjustments can you make to improve your study efficiency (e.g., time-blocking, prioritizing tasks, using tools for organization)?
- How often do you reflect on your progress, and what changes have you made based on those reflections?
Goal 4
Professional Development:
- What professional qualities—such as leadership, teamwork, or professionalism—do you aim to develop further, and how will you actively work on strengthening these skills during your time in the PA program?
Goal 5
Personal and Self-Care Goals:
- How are you managing stress, and what strategies have been most effective in maintaining your mental health?
- Are you maintaining a healthy work-life balance, or do you get easily overwhelmed by school and life demands?
- How do you ensure that you’re making time for physical activity and rest, and how does this affect your overall well-being and academic performance?
- What personal habits or routines help you stay grounded and focused, and how can you incorporate more of these into your PA program life?
- Are you reaching out for support when you feel overwhelmed, and how can you improve your approach to self-care and seeking help when necessary?
Goal 6
Communication and feedback:
- Have you been proactive in seeking feedback, or do you tend to wait for it to be given to you?
- In what areas have you made the most progress, and what additional support or resources could help you to continue to improve?
- What challenges have you encountered in your learning, and what steps are you taking to overcome them?
- What adjustments to your learning plan can you make to better meet your goals and ensure continued success?
Goal 7
Goal Setting
After answering the questions from the above Goals 1-6, create three goals that will support your personal and academic success in PA school including strategies to achieve. Each goal should follow the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time based.
Goal #1
Strategies:
Goal #2
Strategies:
Goal #3
Strategies:
Goal 8
Study Guide Template & Study Plan
Create a Study Guide Template
Design a reusable template that you will use to organize and summarize key concepts, materials, and notes for each course throughout the program. This template should be structured in a way that supports your learning style and helps you effectively prepare for assessments.
Define Your Study Approach
Write a brief explanation of how you plan to study during the program. Include details such as:
- Your preferred study methods (e.g., flashcards, group study, outlining, etc.)
- Your weekly study schedule or routine
- How you plan to stay organized and manage your time
- Tools or resources you plan to use (e.g., apps, planners, study groups)
Ongoing Use and Check-Ins
You will be expected to complete the study guide using your template for each course in the program. Periodic check-ins will be scheduled to review:
- Your progress in filling out your study guide
- How effective your study approach has been
- Any adjustments or support needed to improve your learning experience
Recommended Resources
- Appointments may be scheduled with the following COM resources:
- COM Learning Specialist (Mr. Jim Gorske): support in reviewing and developing study and assessment strategies as well as facilitation for academic accommodations through the University Disability Resource Center
- COM Counseling Services (Dr. Beverly Dede): provides confidential short-term counseling
- Note: These are resources are available during a leave of absence and upon return and during the COM SPAS curriculum
Readiness for Return Determination
- The student’s IRP will be reviewed by the PSPC as a component to determine a student’s readiness to return to the COM SPAS curriculum in accordance with Readiness to Return policy.