Advice for summer before matriculation

[LetItSnow]

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I've been out of school since spring 2010 (when I finished my pre-reqs).

Advice from current students: spend the summer enjoying life? study? some sort of mix?

If study/mix, then what to study?

Frankly, I'd rather just enjoy the summer, but will I be putting myself in a bad position?

 

[lei325]

Enjoy the summer! It'll be your last free one for a while.

 

[skittles12]

I would say to just enjoy it! I traveled quite a bit before I started vet school, and I didn't feel guilty about it at all.

 

[cowgirla]

Enjoy it.

I briefly considered studying anatomy over the summer, and am very glad I didnt.... We covered my entire undergraduate A&P course in the first week, so I doubt my studying would have done much good!

 

[LetItSnow]

Enjoy it.

I briefly considered studying anatomy over the summer, and am very glad I didnt.... We covered my entire undergraduate A&P course in the first week, so I doubt my studying would have done much good!

How the heck do you memorize a semester's worth of material in one week?

Yer just making me nervous. 🙂

 

[libster06]

How the heck do you memorize a semester's worth of material in one week?

Yer just making me nervous. 🙂

At 2-3 hours of anatomy per day for 5 days/week, it's not hard to do. In my neuroscience class last week we had 10 hours (read 2 days of 4 hour lecture and 1 day of 2 hour lecture) in 3 days. That translates into almost an entire month of an undergraduate class in 3 days. Don't want to make you nervous, just explaining how it all works..... you can't be over prepared.

 

[sumstorm]

Saddly, when folks say that, they aren't kidding.

If you are able to, just chill. If you really want to study something, I'd pick medical terminology. saunders makes a set of vet med term flash cards. the reason I suggest med term is that it can help you be up to speed in all of your classes, and the more you understand of what is being said (terminology) the easier it is to follow lectures.

 

[LetItSnow]

That translates into almost an entire month of an undergraduate class in 3 days. Don't want to make you nervous, just explaining how it all works..... you can't be over prepared.

It sounds like I'll need to experience it to understand. I'm having a hard time fathoming memorizing, for example, my entire semester's worth of animal biology in one week. I'm prepared to work hard in vet school, obviously, but there's only 24 hours in the day, and I'd like to sleep at least 4 or 5 of them. 🙂

If you are able to, just chill.

I am, actually. If enough people tell me it's not worth it to get a head start (like most of the responders have), then I'm pretty capable of enjoying the summer and not worrying about it.

 

[dyachei]

I am, actually. If enough people tell me it's not worth it to get a head start (like most of the responders have), then I'm pretty capable of enjoying the summer and not worrying about it.

It is not worth it to get a head start. Enjoy your life while you're still able to have one (just kidding - you need to make time for a life in vet school, too - otherwise you'll go crazy).

 

[that redhead]

Do you mean in addition to a paid job? My first inclination is work and save! If you're already working, I would probably just let yourself enjoy the summer.

 

[LetItSnow]

Do you mean in addition to a paid job? My first inclination is work and save! If you're already working, I would probably just let yourself enjoy the summer.

Yes, in add'n to my paying job! I've no intention of quitting until very shortly before school.

 

[primatevetjess]

RELAX!! 🙂

Seriously, there's no point in doing any sort of prep/studying before you start. I didn't, and my first quarter was one of my best yet!

 

[nyanko]

Do NOT study!! No studying! None!

Put the book away...for the love of all that is holy put it away.

 

[david594]

Take up a new hobby, do some traveling, really anything but school work.

 

[libster06]

It just cracks me up because in all the months leading up to vet school I never once thought, "I wonder if I should prepare/study for this?" So, yea, sit back, relax... nothing can prepare you for this!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Rest, exercise, Rest, relax, Rest, recreate, and ........ wait for it...... Rest.

I would recommend not overdoing anything during the summer. Starting classes well rested and healthy is really important. Kind of sucks when you are run-down before orientation is over.

 

[kaydubs]

I'm chilling. Probably gonna make a few trips to Tufts, but I'm gonna keep a steady job. Visit some of my friends who I won't see for X years.

Oh, and get a motorcycle license!

 

[hunterjumper12]

I am also a recently accepted student who will start this fall. I plan on simply relaxing, working to save up some cash, and enjoy not having to take any summer classes (I have taken summer classes every summer since high school). I also plan on doing a few things that I have had to put off other summers, such as going on trips with my friends, showing my horse, etc.

 

[l2vet]

I'll be working the same job I've worked for the last 3 years and...

GARAGE SALE-ING LIKE IT'S MY JOB. 😀

 

[BlacKAT33]

if you have a lot of free time over the summer id say make a bucket list and do w/e is feasible 🙂

 

[awaring1]

GARAGE SALE-ING LIKE IT'S MY JOB. 😀

😱
Such a good idea.

 

[l2vet]

😱
Such a good idea.

My friends found the most comfortable sofa ever while garage sale-ing. It's amazing. It's such a good couch. Cost them either $50 or $75 with two recliners build it. That kind of find motivates me, lol.

 

[NittanyKitty]

Well, everyone beat me to it, but I'll also chime in with DO NOT STUDY ANYTHING. RELAX and ENJOY yourself. You will need the destressing time come August and September.

Read, exercise, see friends and family, travel, sleep, veg, whatever makes you happy. Chances are vet school will severely limit your time to do all of these lovely things so stock up while you can!

 

[DVMDream]

If I get accepted I plan to relax, quit my job about 6 weeks to a couple months early (provided I have enough to pay my bills in the time between quitting and starting school). Screw saving money, I am going to be in debt forever and I want to go on a vacation before I head off for vet school. So, lots of relaxing, swimming, and planning one last vacation before I take the big plunge into vet school.

Now, I just need an accpetance.

 

[Jakesmom]

My last summer of freedom is going to be a mix of work and play. I plan on working as long as I can to make as much money as I can. But I'm also going to take 2(!) vacations this summer to Vegas/CA and also to VA to visit with friends. 😀 I may buy some vet med terminology flashcards to study on my plane rides...then again, I may just use up the loads of free drink tickets I have and forgo studying😛

 

[david594]

My friends found the most comfortable sofa ever while garage sale-ing. It's amazing. It's such a good couch. Cost them either $50 or $75 with two recliners build it. That kind of find motivates me, lol.

Yeah.... but did it come with bed bugs?

 

[thedogisgreen]

If I get accepted I plan to relax, quit my job about 6 weeks to a couple months early (provided I have enough to pay my bills in the time between quitting and starting school). Screw saving money, I am going to be in debt forever and I want to go on a vacation before I head off for vet school. So, lots of relaxing, swimming, and planning one last vacation before I take the big plunge into vet school.

Now, I just need an accpetance.

Haha exact same situation. Not going to worry about money for the last couple months before school starts, that little bit of $ is nothing compared to what's coming. I want to leave my job, find a subletter, and get of this country for a bit before vet school starts. But before I can do any of that, an acceptance would be helpful..

 

[pennyonthefloor]

Oh how I read about how everyone will be traveling/going on vacations and I wish I weren't in the 'real working world' already. *sigh* Trying to figure out when I'll pull the plug on my job (and sadly, I have no vacation time until my 1 year anniversary-- which isn't till August....). If it weren't for this silly thing called a mortgage, I would've called it quits already.....

Y'all better post some beautiful scenic shots on here when you go traveling so I can vacation vicariously....

 

[kaydubs]

Oh how I read about how everyone will be traveling/going on vacations and I wish I weren't in the 'real working world' already. *sigh* Trying to figure out when I'll pull the plug on my job (and sadly, I have no vacation time until my 1 year anniversary-- which isn't till August....). If it weren't for this silly thing called a mortgage, I would've called it quits already.....

Y'all better post some beautiful scenic shots on here when you go traveling so I can vacation vicariously....

Bummer, penny. I'm in the working 60+ hour weeks come summer. I work during my semester and it's a bummer. Second the pictures! Might as well live vicariously when I'm banging my head at the cubicle.....
*sigh* But, maybe day trips would be an option?? I know I don't understand the frivolous spending of some people. Like casinos: they're great. The day I can gamble more than $1 will be a huge surprise

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

I'm quitting my job 2 months early (I've been saving like a mad-women to be able to pay my bills during that time). I've some $$ saved from earlier years and anythign I can add to it this summer won't be significant. In my 2-2 1/2 months off I'm planning:

1. A camping trip
2. 2 backpacking trips
3. 3 weeks extended stay with family members that live 5 hours away and thus I will 4. never see them again once I start school.
5. A dressage show at pebble beach
6. Bluegrass festivals (volunteering so that they dont' cost)
7. A couple of endurance rides including a 100 miler
8. Moving into my boyfriends house and attempting to integrate 5 years worth of my stuff of living alone, with his (also living on his own for 7+ years).
9. figure out how to make the schedule work (I'll be commuting an hour to school) and what my life will look like around it.
10. have my "system" for school and studying set up.
11. Do updates on my website and make it TOTALLY awesome before school starts up....since I doubt I'll have much time to mess with it after school starts.

 

[EllieGirl89]

I am SOOOOO excited for this summer 😀 My plans include:

1.) Work at least three days a week with the vets I worked with last summer (they were my eLOR writers). Can't WAIT for this!
2.) Visit one of the horse farms I used to work for and see if they need any 2-year-olds broken out this summer, just to have something to do for fun.
3.) Ride my two mares lots!
4.) Do as many horse shows as I can afford time-wise and financially.
5.) Work with the high-school girls who are doing 4-H with my horses to get them going well enough to do AWESOME at the fair.
6.) Try to squeeze in an obedience class for my Boxer.
7.) Get up to running for an hour straight, run a couple of 5Ks and maybe even a 10K.
8.) Maybe to a little bit of "studying" just to give myself a little taste, maybe try and learn some veterinary terms.

Eeee it's gonna be the best summer ever!

 

[ninjacat]

i am in the searching-for-a-summer-job phase.

I was studying in Europe all last summer so I lost my spot at the vet I was working for and now I am working on my campus but that's done once the school year is finished.

Any ideas of some awesome jobs to look for from late may/early june until early august? i really just wanna make a much $$$$ as possible this summer so I can afford to eat at vet school come fall.

 

[libster06]

10. have my "system" for school and studying set up.

Good luck with keeping that pre-planned routine during the school year.

 

[AngSchmange]

i am in the searching-for-a-summer-job phase.

I was studying in Europe all last summer so I lost my spot at the vet I was working for and now I am working on my campus but that's done once the school year is finished.

Any ideas of some awesome jobs to look for from late may/early june until early august? i really just wanna make a much $$$$ as possible this summer so I can afford to eat at vet school come fall.

Bartending! Haha. Quick and easy cash. It's how I live. Well...serving and bartending haha 👍

 

[hunterjumper12]

4.) Do as many horse shows as I can afford time-wise and financially.

6.) Try to squeeze in an obedience class for my Boxer.

I plan on showing my horse as much as possible too. I show hunters and he's 15 now, so this will probably be our last year showing since he will most likely be too old by the time I have the time (and money!) to show again.

I'm also planning on taking my dog in an obedience class too and I am looking forward to it a lot 🙂

 

[l2vet]

Yeah.... but did it come with bed bugs?

Nope.

 

[ao2000]

Does anyone have advice for asking to get paid as a technician? I've been volunteering with the same vet for the past 3 summers, but I'm not sure if he'd be willing to pay me. Is it better to wait until after you've completed the first year of vet school?

 

[EllieGirl89]

Does anyone have advice for asking to get paid as a technician? I've been volunteering with the same vet for the past 3 summers, but I'm not sure if he'd be willing to pay me. Is it better to wait until after you've completed the first year of vet school?

The vet I shadowed with this past summer let me know that once his volunteers become vet students, if they want to continue to spend their summers with him he does something a little different. Instead of paying them, he has them keep track of their hours all summer. Then, before they go back to school, he multiplies the hours by however much they would have earned per hour and instead of paying the student the amount in cash, he gives it to them in the form of a vet school scholarship. That way, taxes aren't taken out of it for the student, he can deduct the amount from his own taxes as a scholarship donation, and the vet student has a little less loan money to pay back.

This is ideal for me because I live with my parents rent free during the summers and don't really have much else to pay for. If you need the money for food or rent or whatever it might not work, but if not you might consider asking if this is an option, as everyone involved benefits.

 

[libster06]

The vet I shadowed with this past summer let me know that once his volunteers become vet students, if they want to continue to spend their summers with him he does something a little different. Instead of paying them, he has them keep track of their hours all summer. Then, before they go back to school, he multiplies the hours by however much they would have earned per hour and instead of paying the student the amount in cash, he gives it to them in the form of a vet school scholarship. That way, taxes aren't taken out of it for the student, he can deduct the amount from his own taxes as a scholarship donation, and the vet student has a little less loan money to pay back.

This is ideal for me because I live with my parents rent free during the summers and don't really have much else to pay for. If you need the money for food or rent or whatever it might not work, but if not you might consider asking if this is an option, as everyone involved benefits.

That'd be nice, but I don't know how I'd live on no money... even if I was rent free (which I will be this summer, my significant other told me I could get out of it bc I was a poor vet student 🙂), I would still need money to do things (buy groceries, pay for gas, etc.).

If you are in EG's situation and can afford to still go for volunteering and your vet will be willing to pay you in the form of a vet school scholarship, I would say do that. I've never heard of that kind of deal, but it sounds pretty cool. I just personally haven't been in a situation where I would be able to afford a setup like that. Otherwise, I think it's fair to discuss payment as an option. Times change and people grow older and accept more responsibility and in doing so, incur more things requiring income. I don't see why it would be necessary to wait until after you have finished the first year of vet school. If he's not willing to pay you and you truly need to start making money, you can always politely decline volunteering there and try to find another vet clinic to work for the summer. It may sound like a difficult task, but I have consistently found work at vet clinics in the summer during undergrad... it's a search but I kept at it for a week or so and someone was always willing to hire me.

 

[LetItSnow]

I have consistently found work at vet clinics in the summer during undergrad... it's a search but I kept at it for a week or so and someone was always willing to hire me.

For you current students....

I have zero background *working* in a clinic. (A fair amount shadowing.)

I'd *like* to get some clinical, paid experience during the summers because a) I'll have bills, and b) experience is experience.

Is it even possible if you don't already have some background working in that environment?

 

[twelvetigers]

It should be fairly easy after your first year of vet school, I would think... plus, places like Banfield have a summer program you can do. There are a few OKSU'ers doing that this summer, if you wanted to know more.

 

[jlm179]

I work full time and I am in school right now. I am planning to quit my job at the end of july, so I have all of august to relax, catch up on sleep, visit my family, hang out with the BF etc.. I have been working full time almost 24/7 for the past 3 years, so a month off would be amazing. I manage/live at a stable, so you never really have a day off. I swear the horses make up things to do on my day off so I have to work. 😛 Now my days off consist of school from 12:30-4:30, so really no days off for me.

I can't wait for August to come so I can get a few weeks to relax!

 

[Packen]

For you current students....

I have zero background *working* in a clinic. (A fair amount shadowing.)

I'd *like* to get some clinical, paid experience during the summers because a) I'll have bills, and b) experience is experience.

Is it even possible if you don't already have some background working in that environment?

Everyone has to start somewhere. For my first vet gig, I just went from clinic to clinic in my area and handed out a resume with a cover letter. One vet interviewed me on the spot (a rare quiet day) and offered me a job right there as a vet assistant. I would mention something in your letter about starting vet school in the fall, looking to make some money while gaining experience and starting a relationship with a clinic in your area that you can build upon in the future - or some line like that to show them you want to continue with them in the summers.

Not sure if this really answers your question.

 

[racccjlm]

My advice:

Do not, under any circumstances, begin to consider thinking about studying! Enjoy your summer!!!! Do what you love, and do a lot of it. If other people can make it through the year without studying the summer before hand, then you can too. I felt exactly the same way you did - I wanted to get a head start - but I listened to a few others on SDN and didn't - best decision I've ever made. Have a wonderful summer 🙂

Edit - I know exactly how you feel with the experience in a clinic setting. Packen has some good advice. I would add that you should try and remain open to just shadowing (I know it's hard with bills), but often times clinics don't want to put in half a summer's training only to have someone quit for the school year (I'm not saying that you couldn't work some during the year - some are more comfortable with that than others). With that being said, there could definitely be some clinics that are completely willing to hire you. Just explore the area, and introduce yourself. Good luck!

 

[LetItSnow]

Edit - I know exactly how you feel with the experience in a clinic setting. Packen has some good advice. I would add that you should try and remain open to just shadowing (I know it's hard with bills), but often times clinics don't want to put in half a summer's training only to have someone quit for the school year (I'm not saying that you couldn't work some during the year - some are more comfortable with that than others). With that being said, there could definitely be some clinics that are completely willing to hire you. Just explore the area, and introduce yourself. Good luck!

I think there was some confusion. When I originally started the thread, I was talking about the summer before school and studying. But then it got hijacked by ao2000 (which is fine!!!).... when I asked about jobs yesterday, I was talking about between your vet school years.

As far as this particular summer for me... shoot, I have a full time job that I'll stay in as long as possible. And a family. I don't really have the luxury of working in a clinic this summer, OR studying, OR taking the time off to hang with friends, etc. 🙂

So I guess what I was asking is: without any prior clinical experience, are there jobs you can do in your vet-school summers that pay?

 

[Minnerbelle]

So I guess what I was asking is: without any prior clinical experience, are there jobs you can do in your vet-school summers that pay?

I think it really depends on the location. It seems like places around the vet school itself would be hard, since it's so saturated with vet students and pre-vets and the competition is fierce. It may be easier if your home is far from the vet school and you're one of very few prized vet students in the area. I know that with my relative lack of clinical experience (and I've worked in vet sevices as a tech in a humane society before), I won't be worth squat in the Fort Collins area. But if I were to go back to the bay area, or even maybe in New England, I might be able to swing a job.

Are you 100% intent on getting a clinical job? Because there are a lot of opportunities around the vet school that pays otherwise. There are research jobs that prefer students with 0 experience that pays about $4000 (with the chance of being sent to Orlando at the end of the summer). And there are some others too.

 

[LetItSnow]

Are you 100% intent on getting a clinical job? Because there are a lot of opportunities around the vet school that pays otherwise. There are research jobs that prefer students with 0 experience that pays about $4000 (with the chance of being sent to Orlando at the end of the summer). And there are some others too.

I'm not 100% intent on it at all. My first priority will be "paying job." I think a clinical job would be better for me long-term just because of the additional experience in the direction that I intend to head professionally, but when push comes to shove I'm certainly open to doing summer research.

I figured that is likely to be the more readily available option.

 

[racccjlm]

So I guess what I was asking is: without any prior clinical experience, are there jobs you can do in your vet-school summers that pay?

Ah, gotcha! It definitely depends on the region that you're in. My advice would be to get to know your professors during the year, because they will often either have jobs for you (more in research type settings), or know of jobs with colleagues (research, or clinics) that may not be advertised. Having a prof vouch for you may be your ticket into a job if you have no clinical experience.

 

[Minnerbelle]

My advice:

Do not, under any circumstances, begin to consider thinking about studying! Enjoy your summer!!!!

YESSS. And leave yourself some buffer space in your new location if you're relocating before you start school.

I made the stupid mistake of running full force until the weekend before school started. Made a 2.5 day (16 hr drive/day) trip from Boston to Fort Collins and arrived on Fri before orientation. Sat I bought all my furniture and began building essentials (didn't even get my bed frame until a week later). Kissed my boyfriend goodbye and sent him home on Sun. Mon, orientation started at 8 am and by Tues or Wed hadda go kumbaya up in the mountains up at 9000 ft above sea level. I was tired, got altitude sickness, and felt MISERABLE. After three days of that, went home on Sat to build the rest of my furniture. Started school on Monday without books or supplies. Got really sick a week later, and was pretty much out for a week. never recovered, and was sick at least 1 week out of every month the entire first semester. First anatomy exam was probably on week 4 or something like that. And having been out out school, sitting 8 hrs in class was a very difficult adjustment.

don't do that. it sucked. though being stupid me, started 2nd semester again with no books/supplies and totally jetlagged because i was determined to maximize my break. some people just never learn, but i'm sure there are much smarter people with better life skills out there.

 

[StartingoverVet]

I think there was some confusion. When I originally started the thread, I was talking about the summer before school and studying. But then it got hijacked by ao2000 (which is fine!!!).... when I asked about jobs yesterday, I was talking about between your vet school years.

As far as this particular summer for me... shoot, I have a full time job that I'll stay in as long as possible. And a family. I don't really have the luxury of working in a clinic this summer, OR studying, OR taking the time off to hang with friends, etc. 🙂

So I guess what I was asking is: without any prior clinical experience, are there jobs you can do in your vet-school summers that pay?

Banfield has a program for vet students that offers clinical experience, pay and additional bonus' if you join them after graduation. It is quite popular regardless of the negative view many hold of them.