How often should I check in with my preceptor?

Most students do well with one predictable touchpoint per week. It's frequent enough to catch problems early and infrequent enough that it doesn't feel like hovering. Some programs set a minimum meeting schedule in the learning agreement, so check with your program first.

What a weekly check-in can look like

It doesn't have to be a long meeting. Depending on your preceptor, it might be:

• A 15-minute standing meeting, in person or by video
• A brief written update they can read on their own time
• A few minutes attached to an existing team meeting

A simple structure keeps it efficient: what you finished, what you're working on, where you're stuck, and the decisions you need from them. Number your questions so they can answer quickly.

When to reach out between check-ins

Save routine questions for the weekly slot. Reach out sooner when:

• You're about to start a major deliverable and need to confirm the scope
• A deadline is at risk
• Something involves an external partner, sensitive data, or a decision above your level
• You've been blocked long enough that waiting would waste real time

Agree on the rhythm early

Ask in your first week how they like to communicate: email or chat, scheduled or drop-in, detailed or brief. Mismatched assumptions about contact are a common source of early friction, and a two-minute conversation prevents it. See managing mismatched expectations on day one for how to open that conversation.

Revisit the rhythm at the midpoint. As you earn trust and work more independently, you may need less. If a big project ramps up, you may need more.

If your program also requires weekly reports to a faculty advisor, you can often reuse the same notes, which saves time and keeps your records consistent.