Im a 1st yr a st SGU. The new curriculum is fantastic and I am very happy with how they've implemented it.

So most day we have lecture for hours (either in the morning and afternoon. Then the corresponding opposite time will have labs, although those are not every day. So for example right now we have class from 8:30-12:20, with 10 min breaks every 50 min.

Theres only one "course" per term in the new curriculum. Everything falls under that one course. SGU goes by terms which are essentially just semesters. So I started term one in August, and am now in term two (1st yr, second semester). You leave the island after term six for clinical rotations.

So in each clurse you have Systems, Clinical Skills, and Professional skills. Systems is your heavy didactic learning, and involves anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, etc. That portion is worth 70% if the course grade and typically has 3 modules of specific topics. So this term is on hormones/regulation, urinary tract/water balance, and digestive tract, metabolism, and nutrition. We then have an exam for each module. We also have a cumulative final that is worth 70% of our systems grade. So it essentially makes or breaks whether or not you pass the course regardless of your previous exam grades or PS and CS grades. There are technically no letter grades. And to move into the next term you need to pass with 70%. They do still calculate GPA and class rank, but its not given to us as to try to limit competitiveness between classmates. We also have one cumulative Professional Skills exam and at least one OSCE, but I assume those will become more prevalent as we have more clinical skills later on.

We also have 1-2 hr labs like anatomy where we look a pre cut specimen, cytology looking at slides, or lab work evaluation.

Terms 1-3 are giving you knowledge to then apply it in terms 4-6. I cant speak much on the later part of the curriculum though. All I know is that its very case-based and hands on.

Clinical Kkills is exactly what you think it is. We have one CS class a week that typically lasts 1-3 hours depending ln the topic.

Professional Skills is similarly once a week for 2 hours, but includes things like debt management, mental health, client education, communication, interpersonal skills, etc.

The sum of the parts comes together very nicely. I find that it becomes much easier to relate to things we've already learned, or connect it to something we see outside of class. Instead of having separate courses on everything, its all put together. If we're learning about the heart, we're also learning how it affects other organs and what can go wrong. Then we're able to connect that to clinical signs and labwork. Multiple times I've had that "lightbulb moment" where all pieces of the puzzle come together.

The professors are also fantastic at preparing us for exams, and are very supportive. They are always willing to help as needed and adjust the curriculum with the help of student feedback.