Advice for summer before matriculation

[twelvetigers]

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Here's a linky:

http://www.banfield.com/student-job-program

That's what I was talking about above. There are probably quite a few students around that have done one of these, and I know a couple planning to do it this summer.

Does anyone know how NIH projects work as far as pay? I think you get a stipend or something, though it might not be much. Those are popular for students to do over the summer, and it's a good way to get your paws into some research if you desire to do so.

ETA: Ah, here's a link to UMN's program. A $5k stipend, looks like. Dunno if it will work out if you want to make teh big bucks, but it's neat anyway.

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/education/currentstudents/summerscholars/home.html

 

[LetItSnow]

Thanks raccjlm, SOV, and TT. All good advice/info. Appreciate it.

 

[twelvetigers]

I'm sure there are TONS of internships that you can apply for as well. So, the big message here... don't sweat it. You'll find something. 🙂

 

[libster06]

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?

You may not get a "tech" job... it would likely be a kennel staff-type position. At least in my experience, it took several years of working in clinics as a kennel person (tending to kennels, cleaning, setting up fecals and heeartworm tests at the most) before I was shown tests and how to draw blood and other things. Since you have shadowing experience it may be different. So, the short answer is yes you can get a paid job a a clinic without "work" experience, but it may not be the exact kind you're looking for.

 

[dyachei]

You may not get a "tech" job... it would likely be a kennel staff-type position. At least in my experience, it took several years of working in clinics as a kennel person (tending to kennels, cleaning, setting up fecals and heeartworm tests at the most) before I was shown tests and how to draw blood and other things. Since you have shadowing experience it may be different. So, the short answer is yes you can get a paid job a a clinic without "work" experience, but it may not be the exact kind you're looking for.

Yes, but you are a vet student in the situation letitsnow is talking about. Much easier to find jobs as a vet student, or at least I've found it so. You should get some experience first year with the technical stuff like pulling blood, etc.

I also did the Banfield thing one summer and there are definitely positives and negatives. Positives include getting good experience, pretty good pay, and seeing a lot of patients (depends on location) as a assistant/technician. Negatives include the fact that some of their vets are pretty unhappy with their lives and having to use protocols in some situations (they are changing this right now).

 

[veterinarygirl]

Has anyone taken a veterinary terminology course? I want to learn it, and I might have the opportunity to take a veterinary terminology class my first year as an elective. However, I am thinking that it might be more beneficial to look over and understand the basic terminology before school starts. Also, I think it would be kind of nice not to have an extra class to go to and study for which would free up a little time for me during school. Does anyone recommend one or the other - taking the class in vet school and/or studying the terminology before?

I got An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology 2 ed. (along with the cd) by Romich which looks like it will be a great resource. I am also considering buying the Saunders Terminology flash cards, but have not made up my mind on those yet. I am kind of on a gap year right now, so I figure I could start looking over some of the terminology now before summer starts. I think I also might do some light reviewing of some of my undergrad courses.

Besides that I plan on working, enjoying the outdoors, and hopefully taking a vacation before school starts!

 

[LetItSnow]

Besides that I plan on working, enjoying the outdoors, and hopefully taking a vacation before school starts!

Everything else you mentioned was fine - nothing wrong with ramping up some terminology, etc. But when it comes down to it, the last two things in that sentence that quoted above are the *very best things you can do to prepare for school*.

Going into school relaxed, enthusiastic, and rested is WAY more important than trying to get an academic head start.

Trust me. I'm the fool that started this thread a year ago. So.....

 

[equinerider26]

I know that every vet student in this thread says "don't take any classes the summer before!" but there's this nagging in my head about anatomy.

I'm terrified of it. I don't know how it's going to be, but I'm afraid already. And my school has a 3-credit hour online course in comparative anatomy over the summer. Would it really be all that awful to take one class?

 

[LetItSnow]

I'm terrified of it. I don't know how it's going to be, but I'm afraid already. And my school has a 3-credit hour online course in comparative anatomy over the summer. Would it really be all that awful to take one class?

There's a few ways to answer that.

If it would make you relax, and if you'd *enjoy* it, then sure, why not take it?

But if you're hoping it will help you coast into anatomy next fall, it's not likely to do that.

If it helps, I was in your shoes - anatomy was THE class I was worried about. I had images of trying to memorize endless lists of muscles, nerves, veins, and bones... and for every muscle the origin, insertion, innervation, and action. I'm terrible at memorizing and I had never taken a real anatomy course (my 'animal biology' had an anatomy component, but it was ultra-basic; the prof's idea of a tough lab exam was to pin the liver and ask us to identify the organ).

... and I survived anatomy just fine. I even enjoyed it and miss it. The biggest secret to anatomy for me was this: stay on top of it. I know - easier said than done. But when your classmates are saying "oh hell, it's the end of the day... I'll catch up on this lab next week," force yourself to stay put, finish the lab, go through your list of terms two or three more times - touching each item as you say it - and THEN leave. Just suck it up and stick it out.

I used to blow off neuro lab all the time. Halfway through I implemented a "hell no, I'm staying until I know it" policy because I was tired of cramming all the labs into the few days before the exam. No surprise; my grade went up significantly and I was less stressed, and I was getting a lot more sleep. Go figure. Same thing applies to anatomy.

 

[nyanko]

I'm terrified of it. I don't know how it's going to be, but I'm afraid already. And my school has a 3-credit hour online course in comparative anatomy over the summer. Would it really be all that awful to take one class?

Yes and especially if it's anatomy it would be.

 

[breenie]

I know that every vet student in this thread says "don't take any classes the summer before!" but there's this nagging in my head about anatomy.

I'm terrified of it. I don't know how it's going to be, but I'm afraid already. And my school has a 3-credit hour online course in comparative anatomy over the summer. Would it really be all that awful to take one class?

Is it the one taught by Dr. Cross? Don't take it.

He is the course coordinator for all of small animal anatomy, AND you get to beg for mercy from his exam questions in large animal, too. Some of my classmates took it and dropped it or didn't find it THAT helpful.

You'll be fine. People who fail out at MU usually have something going on other than being new to this material. Fear is good. It motivates you and keeps you humble, but don't let it consume you.

 

[follefille]

People who fail out at MU usually have something going on other than being new to this material.

...do a lot of people fail out of anatomy at MU?

 

[breenie]

...do a lot of people fail out of anatomy at MU?

Only one person out right failed it last semester. A few got Ds, which combined with Ds in other classes, may have caused them to fail out of school entirely. (we have lost a total of 6 out of 120 so far)

Edit: I was on my phone and didn't notice you were MU 2016. Don't worry. If you have your head in the game and try your best, you will be fine. Failing is rarely a random event without reason or extraneous causes.

 

[equinerider26]

Is it the one taught by Dr. Cross? Don't take it.

He is the course coordinator for all of small animal anatomy, AND you get to beg for mercy from his exam questions in large animal, too. Some of my classmates took it and dropped it or didn't find it THAT helpful.

Alright. I'm going to have a hard time letting myself accept the fact that I shouldn't try to prepare for the class, but I guess I won't be taking any last classes this summer.

Thanks for the advice, breenie, LIS, and everyone else. 🙂

 

[follefille]

Oh ok phew! Thanks breenie!

 

[twelvetigers]

We had a similar number lost this year. It happens, but it's not something to worry about, especially not in your shoes. 🙂

 

[squirrelsrule]

I plan to rehab until my heart's content 😍. Starting with this little tyke:

With a little luck everything will be going smoothly with the new computer system at work and I'll be able to quit in July . Not counting on it though. Oh well, I could use the money.

Might look over some anatomy stuff, but probably not 😀. When I go down and get my books, I'll probably start a little early (like a week 😎), but not really do too much.

For me not having baby creatures is gonna be the hardest part of vet school, so I plan to enjoy every last minute of this summer!