I feel you. I was in the same boat until the start of this block, and I’m a second year. You have to figure out what works for you, and for me that is something active. Idk how many "structure maps" I drew so that I could remember the location of all the arteries and veins, color coded notes or diagrams from lectures. I also would work with my classmates by going over the important points and discussing it with them. The professors are great tools to use as well; they want you to succeed, not fail, and really do care about you, which is completely different from the normal in undergrad. Now in my second year, we do some case studies and very visual learning in clinical pathology and radiology, which is great for me, as it is all visual, and life is a lot better. I make my studying active by color coding my notes, importing the outlines into a note reader (I use ghost reader) and listening to them as I read them, create tables/lists, take a colored piece of paper and put the big things on it for exams, etc. For anatomy I would also write out the anatomy lists and then write everything that attached/passed over-through, species differences as I wrote it out. Made me think about it, and allowed me to visual the structure on the specimen as I wrote the list.
For me, I attempt to get to "note zero" (where i have all the notes reviewed by the next day or at least by Sunday night) but that being said, I also usually take Friday night and Saturday off. I’m not productive at that time, despite my hardest efforts, so I use it to relax and do other life things (hang out with friends, clean house, chill with my dogs). You're a human first and vet students second, so don’t feel guilty for taking time for you. It keeps me sane and lowers my anxiety greatly. You have to take care of you so that you can be the best you to do school. This is why I hit the gym every morning before class, cook healthy food, watch my nutrition, and take time for me.
Don’t know if you have already looked into this or not, but also ask your academic or student affairs dean and see if there is a psychologist available. We have one that comes to the vet school twice a week and I meet with him about every now and then. He was a great resource and helps me manage my stress greatly. Dr. S is a great person for me to discuss school and personal life stuff with and is a great person for me to bounce things off of who has no vested interested in my career other than my mental health.
He also might be able to identify if there is an underlying problem (learning disability, mental health issue) that you might not be seeing (not saying you have one, but these issues spring up in vet school, commonly), and then direct you from there. Dr. S identified my learning disability that I didn’t see and just managed myself for years because “that’s how I learned” and life is SO much better now that I manage it with my medical doctor. I’m doing well in school again and my anxiety is way lower and I feel like a real human being for once, which is odd to say but is a great feeling.
Keep you chin up! It gets better and don’t be afraid to use your resources. You’ll figure it out; just find what works for you. Remember, you’re a human first, student second, and you’re only competing against yourself. Your classmates all have their own worries that you don’t even know about, so there is no shame in asking for help or taking care of you.
Sorry for the long winded response.... .
The meaning of the story being don't let your struggles define you. Use them to BUILD yourself. You are most definitely not alone. It is a very drastic change compared to undergrad and requires a lot of adapting.
