Advice: Prepping for Veterinary School

[Juliideau]

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Hi everyone! I was recently accepted to Tufts' DVM program [V29] and was wondering if anyone has advice for the following topics:

1. Materials to buy before going to vet school [i.e., scrub brands you like? dissection kits? rice cooker to make desperation meals during exam week? anything and everything that made your life easier in vet school that you wish you started with].

2. Study advice [I heard vet school is a whole different beast compared to undergrad. Because of that I feel like I need to re-write my study style or get blitzed. What study techniques did you like? What did you use to take notes? How did you organize all the information in a way you could look back at easily during clinic rotations?].

3. Any and all online resources that really helped you.

4. Work-life balance? [RIP all our hobbies].

Thank you in advance!

 

[Drjc1977]

Hi everyone! I was recently accepted to Tufts' DVM program [V29] and was wondering if anyone has advice for the following topics:

1. Materials to buy before going to vet school [i.e., scrub brands you like? dissection kits? rice cooker to make desperation meals during exam week? anything and everything that made your life easier in vet school that you wish you started with].

2. Study advice [I heard vet school is a whole different beast compared to undergrad. Because of that I feel like I need to re-write my study style or get blitzed. What study techniques did you like? What did you use to take notes? How did you organize all the information in a way you could look back at easily during clinic rotations?].

3. Any and all online resources that really helped you.

4. Work-life balance? [RIP all our hobbies].

Thank you in advance!

Unfortunately when it comes to studying, there is no one size that fits all. The study habits you developed as an undergrad will serve you well. For sure, the course of study you are about to embark on is both voluminous and intense. My only advise is to budget your time WISELY. You need time to study:, but also time to recreate, sleep, socialize, spend time with a significant other. If you have a significant other, please make them aware your time available for them may very well be limited. Above all, do NOT get behind and if the professor says anything, consider it fair game to be on an exam. You will be in the educational big leagues working on a doctoral level degree, keep that in mind. That being said, go to school and kick ass!

 

[battie]

There are a ton of threads on this topic in the Pre-Vet forum.

Thread 'First Year Must Haves'

Jan 2, 2025

Hi all! I wanted to start a thread on what people would be getting/have gotten for their first year of vet school! Whether or not I will be attending is still up in the air but I know plenty of people have gotten accepted and we all could use a list of "must haves" to bring with us. I know each school will provide a list of things they require but do you have any advice for study programs? your favorite scrubs brands? stethoscope types? shoes? and anything else you believe to be beneficial to bring/invest in during your vet school journey.

Thanks!

• vampyrica
• Replies: 87
• Forum: Pre-Veterinary

• 

Thread 'Materials for First Year of Vet School'

Jan 19, 2021

Hi!

Wondering if people had any suggestions for things to buy for 1st year vet med. I know the list will vary a bit between schools, but any suggestions or things that you found useful would be helpful!

Thanks

• aen07
• first year vet first year vet students study vet vet vet med vet school vet student
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Pre-Veterinary

• 

Thread 'Suggestions on items to prepare for first year?'

Feb 27, 2019

Hello,

i'm sure this has been asked before so feel free to link me to another thread answering it.

Either way, I was wondering what are some stand-out items that have helped you throughout your veterinary degree. They could be books, supplies, clothes, resources, etc.

So far i've been told a Littman Cardio III stethoscope, rubber boots for large animal classes, waterproof watch, and scrubs to get dirty in. I've also been told about Glass Dog, but haven't looked much into it yet.

• ReptilesRCool
• Replies: 682
• Forum: Pre-Veterinary

• 

Thread 'First Year Vet Student Tips'

Dec 9, 2016

Hi all,

I was just offered a spot at Oregon State University's program next fall! (I'm still in shock) I'm still waiting on a few more schools but it looks like I'll certainly be starting somewhere next fall. I was just curious if anyone had any first year tips for us newbies. Whether it be in regards to studying, how to balance studying with having a life, clinical experience etc etc. Also, if there are any necessary items to get us through the first year, (books, etc. Christmas is coming up and my mother is constantly asking me what I need haha.)

Anyways, anything would be helpful! I...

• thatonegirl__
• first year students first year vet students tips vet school
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Pre-Veterinary

• 

Thread 'Any Tips for First Year?'

Mar 29, 2012

So yesterday a vet I've been working with told me to take a week and "look up a billion different recipes including ramen noodles." Hahaha.

On a more serious note, do any 2-4 years (or recent grads) have any tips for starting vet school? Make sure to stay on top of anatomy? Know that C = DVM, for example? Would love to hear your advice <3

Thanks!!

• NStarz
• Replies: 160
• Forum: Pre-Veterinary

 

[JaynaAli]

Definitely review the threads Bats linked. Lots of useful information, and even if they’re older threads, things haven’t changed all that much.

I will say that my study habits had to adapt and change. I mean I had to pretty much develop them anyway because vet school was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced, but what worked in microbiology didn’t work in anatomy, so I had to keep experimenting with new techniques and try different things to figure out what worked. I also learned that I couldn’t study at home…the call of my bed or the TV was too great. But other people couldn’t study at the school like I did because they’d get too caught up socializing. There is no one path that works for everyone.

 

[JaynaAli]

Also, because it comes up every year, there is no point in trying to pre-study anything. Enjoy one last full summer of freedom. Do your hobbies, see friends and loved ones, and have fun. Anything you try to teach yourself will be a drop in the bucket of what you’re going to learn, and it’s best to just learn the material as it’s presented to you and not to waste your last summer trying to get ahead.