What are FSGs?
FSGs are study sessions that focus on the skills required to be academically successful in your courses. Each session is run by volunteer senior students who have previously done well in the course.
Through collaborative activities and group discussions, your FSG leader can help you to work on understanding and applying your knowledge in the course. However, FSG Leaders do not teach course content to students, nor do they give answers to homework or assist students with their assignments. Their focus is to support you as a peer and mentor. While they may not answer all your questions, they can use facilitative techniques to find the answer by yourself and help you become an independent lifelong learner.
FSGs use Supplemental Instruction, a model created at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. At UTM, our FSG leaders are trained and supervised by RGASC staff. The volunteer FSG leaders lead weekly 1-hour sessions that encourage peer-to-peer interaction and pair how to learn with what to learn.
FSG sessions aim to:
Engage students in developing the academic and study skills for success in the context of their courses
FSG leaders help you pair how to learn with what to learn in a course.
Build productive peer communities
FSGs encourage collaboration where you’ll be able to work on task and make friends.
Provide space for students to routinely study and practice discipline-related material
FSGs are low stakes environments where you can ask questions, make mistakes, and try new things while studying.
FSGs use Supplemental Instruction, a model created at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. At UTM, our FSG Leaders are trained and supervised by RGASC staff.
Learn more about the Supplemental Instruction approach at UTM
Student Attendees
- Dedicated study space and time
- Participate in activities and discussions
- Build your UTM community
- Develop the skills and keys to success for your courses
FSG Leaders
- Co-Curricular Record Volunteer Opportunity
- Training in facilitation, collaboration, and learning techniques
- Leadership development
"I was pushed to be more efficient at time management. My time as a facilitator helped me learn to see problems from different perspectives since you encounter student of various academic backgrounds. "
Thinh Nguyen (current Optometry student)
“I had to develop many skills including organization, the ability to think ahead to a goal and work backwards to develop action items, leading a team, and delegating tasks...
…the best way to describe the influence of being an FSG PA would be that it truly developed my professional self in all aspects. It took me from being a student to being a professional and academic”
Tulip Marawi (starting an MA, PhD in Clinical Psychology in September, 2024)
Engage in the FSG Program
Contact Us
For any questions regarding the FSG Program, please email fsg.utm@utoronto.ca
Use the form below to request a volunteer or employment verification, or reference for the Facilitated Study Groups (FSG) program at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
