CLASS OF 2013....how ya doin?

[flyhi]

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So, those of us who were 'left behind' are sitting here wondering how the heck the Class of 2013 is doing!

We know you are very busy with your studies, but would love to hear about your first weeks of vet school 😱

Is it harder, easier, or pretty much just as expected? How are your classes/schedule? What's been the biggest surprise of vet school so far? What do you think of your chosen school/campus/classmates?

You get the picture......anything and everything is fair game, so let all of the SDNers know what the deal is and don't be like your predecessors who disappear once they start first year 😀

 

[oregonhopeful]

Those of us at Oregon State don't start 'till the 28th. Next week we have three days of orientations starting Wednesday. (With a bbq on monday! Any Oregon Staters going?) I'm super impatient and nervous, personally. I too would like to know how the 2013 people are doing. I've had a whole extra months to think of all the reasons why I shouldn't be going back to school. But I rather figure everyone is swamped which is why most people disappear after classes start.

 

[bunnity]

Well, for an honest and probably depressing reply, I'll tell you how it is going.

I really don't like it. Vet school so far has felt like a nightmare. Since I started I really haven't done anything but study and sleep, and there hasn't been much of the sleeping. Some of the material is hard (biochem) and some of it is just overwhelming (anatomy). There is just so much to learn that it's impossible to learn it all, but no one tells you what is and isn't important to learn. I've studied a minimum of three hours a day (on top of eight hours of class) and my brain has just stopped retaining anything. I don't have the science background that my classmates do and I feel at a big disadvantage because of it. It's not like I played my way through undergrad either - I was working a minimum of 20 hours a week during the school year and at least full time in the summers - I like to work and be busy but this is something else. I miss working with animals. I miss helping animals. I barely get to see my own animals. I hate that I'm spending so much money on this and I feel so trapped, like if I get a year in and still hate it, I'll be forced to finish so I can afford to pay off the loans. Everyone I know either has money of their own or has their parents chipping in significant funds, and I feel like the only one who can't afford to keep shelling out money to get the business certificate, join SCAVMA, and pay for the million other things that just keep coming up. Socially it feels like middle school and being the odd one out and not knowing why. I tried really hard to make friends but it didn't really work. I haven't met anyone with remotely the same interests in shelter/wildlife and feel like so far the program is really oriented toward small animal practice and toward low volume / high cost care. Long story short I am really overwhelmed, and there is no way I will survive four years of this unless something changes.

Part of my problem is due to my own issues, and I'm trying to work them out. I don't think I can do that in the context of vet school, and I'm going to take a leave for a year and try to figure out if being a vet is worth going through vet school.

So probably not what anyone was hoping to hear, but I figured I'd put that out there just as another experience and perspective.

 

[kef148]

Well, I'll try to bring a little more hope to this thread. I'm loving vet school even more than I expected to. So far the tests haven't been bad (I was lucky though because my masters program required the same classes that I'm taking now, so it's been a lot of review so far). I haven't been getting much sleep either, but even when I'm extremely tired, I'm still getting to school and being really happy there. There are tons of opportunities to get involved in clubs and gain new experiences. I've really enjoyed all of the optional lunch lectures because they have been informative (and free food is always great! 😉). I've hardly had to feed myself since I got here. It's starting to slow down though. I had to provide myself with lunch twice this week. Also, at our school, the teaching hospital is very welcoming to first year students. We can basically walk into anything going on at the hospital and they are very tolerant of us observing and asking questions. Sometimes you get to jump in and help out as well. I'm looking forward to attending my first conference (being held at the school) next month, and there's a wet lab coming up in the exotic animal medicine club that I'm hoping to get chosen for. Everyone has been really nice and we've only had one professor that's pretty frustrating. All of the others have been very helpful. If my SO were able to move out here with me, I'd say that everything in my life was perfect right now. I think that the excitement of vet school has actually encouraged me to be even better with my time mangement. I've found more time for playing/training my pets, exercise, cleaning my apartment, etc than I seemed to have last year in my masters. I usually am better about getting things done when I have less time because there's no time for procrastination. And even with doing all of that stuff, I still have straight A's so far. I really just think that it's all about good time management and stress relief techniques. I know for me that if I don't take make sure to take a little time for myself than school seems a lot more stressful.

 

[twelvetigers]

Bunnity, you know that zpinkpanther left Ross, right? She decided that, because she wanted to be a vet for so long, she just stuck with that and never really considered any other careers... now she's back at home and thinking she might like to go to law school instead. Let me know if you'd like to talk to her - I can have her PM you!

Also, maybe someone here had a really hard time at first and could offer some advice?

I can offer no help with studying for vet school... that's probably something I'm going to have some trouble with myself... but I can tell you that making time for yourself and your pets is very important. Maybe try to set a schedule for yourself and include an hour to walk/play with the pets, half an hour to watch TV, make dinner, take a bath... whatever helps you unwind a bit...

Best of luck, bunnity. You know that you have our support her no matter what you choose. Vent any time you need!

 

[bunnity]

Thanks twelvetigers.

I knew that zpink was having a hard time and that she thought about leaving, but I didn't know her final decision. I might actually have the opposite problem from her in that I didn't know for that long that I wanted to be a vet, but I would like to talk to her anyway.

Thanks for the support. I'll probably stick around here for a while; there's still a good chance I'll be in 2014.

 

[flyhi]

Bunnity, i'm glad you posted and i'm sure others will feel the same way. There is someone else out there feeling similarly to you. I think it is so normal to feel overwhelmed and it sounds like you have identified at least a few contributing factors. As far as not spending time doing what you love - with animals - just remember the reason you are there. As a DVM, you will be back to doing what you love everday.

Keep your head up, students DO survive it even though it seems like a huge mountain to climb right now. I would second what twelve said, but also encourage you to make sure you give yourself a fair shake at this. You are going through a huge adjustment period and maybe things just need to get more routine for you before you can really assess if this is the right path or not.

I sure hope things start to look up for you soon. You were accepted for a reason and there are many others who get through without a science background. You really CAN do it.

 

[Pomona2006]

So far so good here at Davis! 🙂

We had an awesome week of orientation that (while touchy-feely in nature) was really worth-while and a lot of fun.

We are currently in our second week of classes and while some moments are extremely overwhelming (physiological chemistry for me!), for the most part it's a lot of fun and great to be doing something I enjoy. I never thought I'd be okay with coming into the anatomy lab on a Sunday afternoon to go over things, but I am! Plenty of us do that! As for the people, I think we've got a great class and there are a lot of SDN people among us!

Our schedule is really weird though. For those of you who don't know, we have a different schedule every day. No joke! I thought I was going to be driven crazy by this, but I am not even mildly bothered by it. It keeps things interesting and I don't end up dreading a particular day (like I did at other schools when my schedule was very predictable). We've already had a horse-handling lab, cat & dog handling lab and today we're doing small mammals - (rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, etc).

But to be completely honest...Am I studying more than I'm used to - - YES! Am I getting less sleep at night - - YES! Am I loving [almost] every minute - - YES!

Sure we're going to be busting our butts for 4 years (or many, many more) - but this sure beats my previous career!

 

[chris03333]

This thread really needs answers after a complete semester has finished. It is a little early now.

 

[Shanomong]

Well, for an honest and probably depressing reply, I'll tell you how it is going.

I really don't like it. Vet school so far has felt like a nightmare. Since I started I really haven't done anything but study and sleep, and there hasn't been much of the sleeping. Some of the material is hard (biochem) and some of it is just overwhelming (anatomy). There is just so much to learn that it's impossible to learn it all, but no one tells you what is and isn't important to learn. I've studied a minimum of three hours a day (on top of eight hours of class) and my brain has just stopped retaining anything. I don't have the science background that my classmates do and I feel at a big disadvantage because of it. It's not like I played my way through undergrad either - I was working a minimum of 20 hours a week during the school year and at least full time in the summers - I like to work and be busy but this is something else. I miss working with animals. I miss helping animals. I barely get to see my own animals. I hate that I'm spending so much money on this and I feel so trapped, like if I get a year in and still hate it, I'll be forced to finish so I can afford to pay off the loans. Everyone I know either has money of their own or has their parents chipping in significant funds, and I feel like the only one who can't afford to keep shelling out money to get the business certificate, join SCAVMA, and pay for the million other things that just keep coming up. Socially it feels like middle school and being the odd one out and not knowing why. I tried really hard to make friends but it didn't really work. I haven't met anyone with remotely the same interests in shelter/wildlife and feel like so far the program is really oriented toward small animal practice and toward low volume / high cost care. Long story short I am really overwhelmed, and there is no way I will survive four years of this unless something changes.

Part of my problem is due to my own issues, and I'm trying to work them out. I don't think I can do that in the context of vet school, and I'm going to take a leave for a year and try to figure out if being a vet is worth going through vet school.

So probably not what anyone was hoping to hear, but I figured I'd put that out there just as another experience and perspective.

You found one friend with similar interests, no science background, who is taking out loans to pay for this. Sorry if I didn't make that more obvious, but I've also been drowning a bit and I guess I stopped making time for new friends and pretty much just sleep and study as well. Hope to see you back next year, I know 2 people who were pretty upset to hear about your leave of absence today 🙁

And if you decide that this isn't the field for you... I honestly wish you all the best, I think you'll be great at whatever you decide to do, but I also think you'd be a fantastic shelter vet

 

[vnair2]

I was going to give a longer response, but Ti...I mean shanomong beat me to it. I just want to agree with everything she said and add that I really hope to see you back next year.

PM me any time.

 

[Pomona2006]

This thread really needs answers after a complete semester has finished. It is a little early now.

Oh yeah - I KNOW that in a few months I am going to be pulling my hair out, stressed beyond all belief, but what can I say, I'm not yet at that point.

 

[chris03333]

Oh yeah - I KNOW that in a few months I am going to be pulling my hair out, stressed beyond all belief, but what can I say, I'm not yet at that point.

That was not meant specifically towards you. I have been reading this forum for a few years and the same type of thread always shows up every year in the beginning and is never updated once everyone is actually knee deep in.😉

 

[primatevetjess]

Hi 🙂 I have to agree with Pomona (so weird to call you that!), I'm actually really enjoying myself! Which surprises me, because while I was excited to start vet school, I was kind of afraid that I would hate spending 8 hours a day in class and then going home and studying.

Sure, it's overwhelming. And sure, I already have nights that I don't feel like studying. But overall, I love it (so far - ask me again when I'm in midterms or finals!). The classes are mostly all interesting, I find anatomy and histology labs fun and fascinating (even if a bit overwhelming), and having those basic handling labs that Pamona mentioned really helps. I am studying a lot more than I used to, but I'm more motivated to do so because I'm in vet school, actually working toward being a doctor. That's amazing.

And yeah, being a non-trad, this sure beats the path I was on before I got here! I'm going to be four years older no matter what... I can work hard for those four years and be a vet for the rest of my life, or I can take it easy and still not be doing what I love. I think that keeping things in perspective really helps.

 

[GACowgirl]

FYI: I am taking a BREAK from studying! Be prepared to live in the anatomy lab...no joke! We have been in school since Aug. 24th. I love it! I love how the classes are taught...they relate everything to the clinic; that sure helps me learn because I can always think of it in a clinical aspect. Unlike others have said on here and as well as my classmates, I make sure that I get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. That is my gift to myself! Now that will change next week when we have blocks (every class has a test in a 1 week period...so I may not be as chipper as usual!). Just be prepared to work hard, but if this is what you want to do, you wont mind giving up 98% of your life to studying. The classes are not as tough as I thought, but once again...I may have a change of heart after blocks this upcoming week! I took animal phys. my last semester of undergrad, so vet. phys. is still a review. I also took biotech. my last semester of undergrad and I am currently taking a molecular bio. class that is pretty much a review. Anatomy...well I have a few words....GIVE UP YOUR FREE TIME AND STUDY! I study at least 3 hours every night, so that makes it a long day for my brain to function.

If you know that being a vet. is your calling, you will love vet. school. no if ands or buts about it. I don't mind waking up at 5:30 am five days a week and staying at school for 12-15 hours per day....gotta love it or you will hate it. I want to wish all of you applying for a spot in the 2014 class goooood luck! I have mentioned this before, apply to Tuskegee....it is a GREAT school. I absolutley love it. If you have ANY questions about the school, let me know. I will try to help you as much as possible. sooo now I guess I will get back to studying and studying....annnnd studying! <-- that is my brain right now!!!

 

[Caninerepro]

Uh I think you know my response to that -- answer your e-mails ML! 😀

For the rest, it is amazinly not all that bad at all! Actually easier than grad school for sure. Or, maybe because of grad school, it has been review so far. KEF148 and I were classmates at CSU, so that may well explain our perspective. Shout out for Fort Fun! For those applying this year, SERIOUSLY look into the plan B MS program at Colorado State as a fallback. It is a program DESIGNED AROUND people like us, pre-vet/ pre-primate medicine people, and is a 1 year non-thesis program. But, it is a kick ass hard program, and this entering year there were 619 applications for 50 slots, and this includes the pre-med weannabees.

2/207th of a veterinarian. Yippee!

 

[CatVet2Be]

If you know that being a vet. is your calling, you will love vet. school. no if ands or buts about it.

That's not a very fair or accurate statement. There are a lot of people who know they want to be vets, will make great vets once they are and may not enjoy core classes. We all know we have to get through them and there's a reason for the things you need to learn but that doesn't automatically mean you will or even have to enjoy every breathing second.

 

[GACowgirl]

That's not a very fair or accurate statement. There are a lot of people who know they want to be vets, will make great vets once they are and may not enjoy core classes. We all know we have to get through them and there's a reason for the things you need to learn but that doesn't automatically mean you will or even have to enjoy every breathing second.

You know if it is something you love, you will enjoy vet. school...I am not JUST talking about CORE classes. I mean why not enjoy studying what you are going to be doing the rest of your life (if you stay in the field)?? Why get up every morning knowing that you have to spend 7-8 hours of your day doing what you dislike....why even go to vet. school then?? This was my opinion, yours may be different...and I am sorry if you dislike vet. school because you or someone else *may* be miserable for the next four years!

 

[flyhi]

This thread really needs answers after a complete semester has finished. It is a little early now.

I specifically asked the question now to get everyone's view point at this particular time. I will ask again in 3-4 months and again towards the end of the year.

I start next Fall and wanted a good indication of how people feel RIGHT NOW. Many may differently at the end of the semester, so i wanted to get a feel of how it might be at this time next year.

Keep 'em coming y'all. It's fun to read about your experiences.

Caninerepro -if you weren't 'tutoring' so much, you'd know that you have mail! 🙄

 

[Caninerepro]

Uh OK, I responded before I fully read all that had been said. I am REALLY SORRY for that bunnity. While we have not been best friends previously, know that I like pretty much everyone else here on SDN has your back, and we are there for you more than you will ever know. I really hope you have not crossed any nonreturnable bridges, but please feel free to PM me or anyone else of the 2013'rs who have shared our communal pain over the last year. I do mean that, and yes I am male. 🙂 If anatomy is kicking your butt, KEF and I know of a really good computer program from CSU that is about the best $40.00 you could ever spend (OK I got mine for free but I did do some of the dissections and I know of at least 6 MN 1st years who are buying it on top of the CD MN gives us after seeing mine, I almost want a commission). The infamous Pasquini and Spurgeon book that US anatomy professors seem to despise will save your butt as well.
Listen, vet school is tough. No bones about it. I am seeing a lot of my fellow classmates right out of undergrad who have not taken a single anatomy class, much less metabolism or physical chemistry (which is not the same as physiological chemistry -- the PC name for biochem, even if they are still both called P-Chem on our sylibi) really having a hard time with it. That is OK. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and as first year vet students one of the most important things we can learn is that we now need to work WITH, not against each other. We are going to be together for the next four years, and things are totally different than undergrad. We are no longer competing against one another for rarefied slots at some imagined, intangible veterinary school in the sky. We got in, now we just need to survive it together. There is no longer such a thing as competition. One thing I will give MN credit for, while only 2 weeks into the program, they have made a really big point of the fact that yes, we as veterinary students have spent all of our lives as the top 5% of whatever class we were in. But now, with all of the 5%'ers together, we cannot continue to compete like that. We are no longer going to be in the top 5%. Please remember what you call the person who got a C in surgery ---- DR.! 🙂

Seriously and with all BS aside, for those of us in the class of 2013 who are struggling, maybe we need to do a Facebook support group so we do not lose any more of our comrades. I was shocked to hear that after only 2 weeks 3 of my class of 99 had already dropped out for various reasons. That is just not cool for me. Yeah I have spent a crazy amount of my life being hyper-competitive. But, once we get in, we are comrades. Maybe that is why I turned down Cornell to go to MN; no offense to those in Ithaca, remember I just spent my last four years in Fort Collins. The competition simply needs to stop, and we all need to help each other just survive. OK, I may well comparably be the anatomy super-god of my class -whatever. As such, it is my duty to help out those who have not had my experience. Because you know what ---- I am clueless around horses, and I desperately need their help to survive my animal handling classes I am currently struggling with, something LA people cannot even fathom. How can someone be so stupid as to not even know how to walk up to a cow? Hello, I am that idiot. So, I need to take the time to teach someone who is really struggling with finding the Ulnarius Lateralis, because I am going to need their back-up when I need to do that physical examination of the cow, which I have my final in next Friday. We work together, not against each other now.

OK so, a graduate of U Penn is a VMD, not a DVM, get it straight stupids! And bunnity, please reach out -- you were such a central figure for us for the last year, we cannot bear to lose you! We are there for you, please know that, even you so called enemies.
Kai

 

[bunnity]

Thanks everyone who wrote and PMed support. I really appreciate it. I haven't burned any bridges; I have a place in 2014 if I want it. My student affairs people have been great about working with me though this. I am probably going to be working at one of the shelters I've volunteered at while I figure things out, so I will get to be with my lovely pit bulls at the shelter every day and I'm really looking forward to it.

And CR, don't feel bad about posting good experiences (and don't worry we're not enemies); I'm glad that most of you are liking vet school. I actually feel better about my decision knowing that my current experience with vet school is not always the case, and while it's hard to be the person not enjoying it, it lets me know that there is something wrong and that it was the right decision to step back and re-evaluate. And I think looking at the sum of everyone's experiences will be valuable for the upcoming applicants. I do want to say that if you are doing really well and feeling really good about school, try to reach out to the people that might not be thriving and see if they need a hand. I'm not speaking specifically about my situation, and I'm sure people here would have helped me if I had asked, but I do bet that you all have classmates that would appreciate it.

Anyway, on with the thread.

 

[rileyroo]

bunnity, maybe the class of 2014 will be "your" class...meaning, maybe you will click with that class and you'll see that it all worked out. you had to make a really difficult decision, but at least you know that you did the right thing, and have a year to do other things and truly re-evaluate what you need to do for yourself and your future. good luck to you this next year! i hope that you are able to work out your personal issues and are happy in whatever you decide.

 

[Caninerepro]

Thanks everyone who wrote and PMed support. I really appreciate it. I haven't burned any bridges; I have a place in 2014 if I want it. My student affairs people have been great about working with me though this. I am probably going to be working at one of the shelters I've volunteered at while I figure things out, so I will get to be with my lovely pit bulls at the shelter every day and I'm really looking forward to it.

And CR, don't feel bad about posting good experiences (and don't worry we're not enemies); I'm glad that most of you are liking vet school. I actually feel better about my decision knowing that my current experience with vet school is not always the case, and while it's hard to be the person not enjoying it, it lets me know that there is something wrong and that it was the right decision to step back and re-evaluate. And I think looking at the sum of everyone's experiences will be valuable for the upcoming applicants. I do want to say that if you are doing really well and feeling really good about school, try to reach out to the people that might not be thriving and see if they need a hand. I'm not speaking specifically about my situation, and I'm sure people here would have helped me if I had asked, but I do bet that you all have classmates that would appreciate it.

Anyway, on with the thread.

Well stated and the reason I left this on the pre-vet thread is for that very reason, While when we are applying we can only see that part, it really is different once you do get in, which you indeed will if you have read this far. So know that there is a big adjustment between pre and vet school, but you can make it if you want it bad enough. I really think this is an important thing for applicants to see. How it really is after you achieve you ultimate dream -- not so very cool afterall.

 

[CatVet2Be]

Why get up every morning knowing that you have to spend 7-8 hours of your day doing what you dislike....why even go to vet. school then?? This was my opinion, yours may be different...and I am sorry if you dislike vet. school because you or someone else *may* be miserable for the next four years!

Well, to be a vet last time I checked you had to get through vet school. And I never said I personally disliked vet school. How can I like or dislike something that hasn't even started yet (I'll let you know after Wednesday). You're more than welcome to your opinion, I'm more than welcome to disagree with it. And my point is that the blanket statement "If you know that being a vet. is your calling, you will love vet. school. no if ands or buts about it" could make those who aren't loving it feel guilty or as though they're somehow doing something wrong if they aren't head over heels over every second of it. For some it's a much different transition than for others and while it can be the best years of your life it's not always the case and that's ok too.

 

[CatVet2Be]

Oh, and as a response to the original question. I had a day of touchy feely activities and I'm just not a touchy feely person. It was an exercise in patience and smiling. I'm just thankful it wasn't humid and everyone in my group wore deodorant.

 

[laurafinn]

bunnity,

Just a perspective from the vet I shadowed before starting school: she said she hated every day of vet school. Every day. She also felt it was worth it in the end. It is OK to hate it and grit your teeth and push through.

On the other hand, it's also OK to drop out if you feel like the end goal is not worth it. Life is short.

All the best,

Laura

 

[HopefulAg]

Yah my vet I worked with said she hated vet school as well. Was a real shock "So how did you like vet school?" "Oh I hated it with a passion" "Oh...."

But she's an awesome vet and way too smart for her (and our) own good. And she still enjoys it 20 years down the road.

 

[david594]

Oh, and as a response to the original question. I had a day of touchy feely activities and I'm just not a touchy feely person. It was an exercise in patience and smiling. I'm just thankful it wasn't humid and everyone in my group wore deodorant.

Haha, ouch, I could definitely see how that would have made today pretty painful.

It was cool meeting you today. Maybe we can get a big group of us D's for the 2nd or 3rd row once class starts.

 

[sunshinevet]

If you know that being a vet. is your calling, you will love vet. school. no if ands or buts about it.

You obviously haven't started neuroanatomy yet 😉

 

[elefante7]

In answer to the original question:

It is overwhelming, and scary, and stressful.... but at the same time I love it. I am finally starting to find my niche in the class. I also love how supportive the faculty and staff are and how willing they are to work with us and in general how much they care. That really helps.

 

[Caninerepro]

Ug, neuroanatomy. The class that almost killed me in grad school! As for the touchy feely crap, yes that was hard for me to stomach as well. I am trying to work on getting better at that, but I as well need my personal space, and after two days at camp, in the humidity, I know I for one was indeed getting a bit rank. Lets just say that I am one of those people who swelters in the heat, and I need a good shower in the morning after my day... 😱

 

[turnandburn]

Ug, neuroanatomy. The class that almost killed me in grad school! As for the touchy feely crap, yes that was hard for me to stomach as well. I am trying to work on getting better at that, but I as well need my personal space, and after two days at camp, in the humidity, I know I for one was indeed getting a bit rank. Lets just say that I am one of those people who swelters in the heat, and I need a good shower in the morning after my day... 😱

Haha, gross! 😀

They had showers available, you know... 😉

 

[GACowgirl]

For people reading this that have not gotten into vet. school yet, I love it....As others on here are truly pointing out that people may hate vet. school, I am sorry if you don't!!!!! I made a comment that people like myself would agree with, but others may not...SO OK leave it alone....just tell your experience..ANSWER THE ORIGINAL QUESTION!!!!

 

[turnandburn]

To answer the question: It's completely different from undergrad. Some classes (for me) are hard as hell: P chem especially, others are overwhelming in regards to the amount of information being thrown at us: I'm thinking anatomy. Others seem difficult in their obscurity: diagnostic radiology (what IS that arrow pointing at??? 😳) I feel totally stressed that I'm going to flunk out of vet school. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to day to learn everything they expect us to know. I feel like I hardly have a social life outside school anymore.

OTOH, I love it. I've met a lot of cool people who are all feeling the same things I am. The clinical skills classes have already had me doing things I've never done before and it reminds me why I am doing this and keeping the final goal in mind really helps.

Ask again in a few months I'm interested in other people's thoughts then!

 

[No Imagination]

Some classes (for me) are hard as hell: P chem especially, others are overwhelming in regards to the amount of information being thrown at us:

Why the hell are they making you take P-Chem in vet school?!? Am I missing something?

As for me - I am in my 2-3 month. I've taken about 5 exams, and except for Parasitology, I am not really worried about my grades (and I am not an academic).

The biggest problem for me is the superficial nature of the classes. They tell you what you need to know, but not WHY it is that way. They know the awnser, but if you have to raise your hand every time you want more information, it gets old really fast and the DVM's get pissy.

The PhD's who teach tend to teach more theory and put the material in context (again, TEND to). In classes like Immuno and Physiology, the deeper level of context goes a long way.

Classes like Para and Anatomy, where it is "Just the fact maam, just the facts", is really really hard for me.

The students are very helpful, and there is (so far) almost no academic competativness. Miss State has done a good job of banging into our head that it is more like "Us vs. Them" and not "Us vs. each other" - results in 5-6 emails a day from other students about PP slides and practice tests (that the students made) - which get distributed to the entire class.

Chriss - I promise I will update in 2 months when the semester is over! 🙂

*This post was written with 4 hours sleep and on IE (no spell check) - so leave me alone! lol

 

[Caninerepro]

The P-chem at Minnesota is Physiological Chemistry (biochem with a PC name), and not the real Physical Chemistry. I know it scared the crap out of me too when I saw that -- I took Physical Chemistry as an undergrad --- NOOOOOOO!!!!!! So far for me Physiological Chemistry has been review, but like you I did grad school first, although I stopped at a MS/MBA level. Your comments sound exactly like they are coming from the researcher you are. 🙂 Remember, Joe Average veterinarian does not need to know why, only how to make it better. Myself I am loving anatomy, but those in my class know who I am already and are simply rolling their eyes. It's that weirdo! 🙄 Anyhow, to reiterate, I am loving every second of vet school, but I am sure I will come to regret my overconfidence soon, maybe even by Monday.

 

[No Imagination]

Ahh, Physiological - thanks for clearing that up - For some reason, Miss doesn't offer any Physiological or biochem class - Guess they think we will get whatever we need in Pharma and Physiology.

Our phsiology prof. put up a slide (really complex), showing TCA, tied to Glycolysis and Gluconeo, and P5P - was quite for about 30 seconds and told the class "You don't need to learn this... just know it exists"... (Wave of 'aahh' swept through the class) bye bye grad school

So far, my background hasn't helped me one bit in vet school - Undergrad was a bigger help.

Its nice hearing about everyone experiences thus far, keep them coming.

Me, I am goign to take a nap before i go back into anatomy lab... so tired

 

[Shanomong]

So I guess I'll throw my hat in on the original question too. And I also am really interested to see this thread even 3 weeks from now, once we have some exams under our belt, because I honestly think that will quell a lot of the anxiety many of us are feeling. I also think it's a good point about us all being top 5%'ers and now dealing with the reality that 95% of us wont be in the top 5% of our vet school class...

So far, like everyone else, it's a ton of studying, a bit of information overload, and it can be stressful if I think about all of my classes at once... but I have to say on a class-by-class basis it can be extremely interesting, and I love that I'm learning the actual reasons behind stuff like brain damage, congestive heart failure, some genetic and developmental diseases... granted the clinical stuff is few and far between because we're just learning normal anatomy, biochem, and developmental right now... but it's fun when it comes up. and the professors try to throw us bones (no pun intended) here and there.... And honestly I still haven't lost that lovin feelin for vet school... that initial "OMG I GOT IN!!!" emotion is still there, and as I sit in these classes and hear professors talk about stuff that I don't remotely understand and know I'll have to re-read 3 times to get the gist of before I even start memorizing it for the test (thank you, biochemistry), I give myself a reality check by reminding myself that in 4 years this is the info that's going to get me to the level of the vets I've worked with... well that and an internship and probably a residency...

So it's not all gloom and doom, but it's not all sunshine, lollipops, unicorns and rainbows either. There is no guarantee that you're going to love vet school; many of the better vets I've worked with didn't. I personally am not a fan of rote memorization... so anatomy can be a thorn in my side a lot of the time. And there's nothing wrong with not loving every second of it. But it's worth the effort in my opinion, and aside from the classes there are some awesome people here, some great clubs I'm excited about, and just an entire aspect of life outside of class that I'm loving.

Oh and take the advice above... sleep at least 7-8 hours per night no matter what. I was on the verge of a major burn out last week until I took a night for myself and slept 10 hours, and I feel like I retained a ton more info because of it and maintained my sanity in the process. And if you're feeling stressed, or feeling alone, reach out to your classmates because 9 times out of 10, they feel exactly how you do. And just remember how hard you worked to get here and what you get to do for a living at the end of all of this... and try to remind yourself to feel that lucky and that excited every day. The classes will work themselves out; the vast majority of people who embark on this field and get as far as we have survive it and end up happy on the other side 😀

 

[twelvetigers]

No Imagination, OKSU doesn't do biochem or Pchem in vet school either. They expect you to have taken it in undergrad (whereas it's not a requirement for Penn, right?) and so I think first year classes here are much more similar to what you're taking, except parasitology is a 2nd semester class.

Also, the first year students are already on their second round of tests. Maybe we get started earlier in the South? Heh.

 

[sunshinevet]

Because I'm in Aus, we've done about 8 months so far. Because im desperately trying to put off studying for my neuroanatomy exam on friday, I'll tell you what my experience has been like.
We have a class of about 90, two people failed first semester - which we thought was pretty good. The veterinary faculty at Murdoch is really close-knit, though not everyone goes to lectures - about half my year shows up to lectures. This means that when we have pracs, all the lecture kids are looking around, going "who the hell are these people?" I'm a lecture person 🙂 Though i can totally imagine not going if you dont learn well through lectures!
We have a really active student organisation - theres a social event every week! All the staff are so friendly and nice, and love involved, enthusiastic students.
As for the coursework, its actually been ok. Not any more or less than i thought there would be. As so far its all been biochem, anat and physiol, sometimes you can get a bit bogged down in feeling its never going to get anywhere - but our pracs are quite good - all our physiology pracs we did something with animals, whether it was listening to hearts, tummys, taking ECGs or whatever. This semester we've started animal handing, which has been really exciting, and kind of gives a "light at the end of the tunnel" feel - we get to take blood, do physical exams, and in a few weeks we get to start doing rectals on cows! which has everyone really excited! 🙂

My experience with vet so far has been a positive one - as I expected it would be. However, thats not to say that there haven't been times ive cried in frustration, thought i was about to fail out, or just been tempted to throw the towel in and fly home (I moved 3000km to come to school). I miss my dog, I miss my parents (I'm only 19, ok??? 🙄) and I miss being really involved in veterinary practice. It is a great, great time, but I do think there is gonna be a moment when, no matter how enthusiastic you are (and lets face it, we're in vet, we're enthusiastic) your gonna have a lil mini-meltdown, momentarily hate it and wonder if its all worth it. You just need to remember that you have several things to help you:
a) Your classmates. Think highschool musical... we're all in this together (man im lame... you'll all get to this point 8mths in too, i swear 😀)
b) The older years. So many of them are so helpful, and just think - if they're all there, it CAN be done! Which is a very comforting thought!
c) The staff. They really do want you to pass. And whats more, they really want to see students who want to pass, pass. So if your having trouble, go to them early. They'll only be too happy to help.

 

[nyanko]

The biggest problem for me is the superficial nature of the classes. They tell you what you need to know, but not WHY it is that way. They know the awnser, but if you have to raise your hand every time you want more information, it gets old really fast and the DVM's get pissy.

This is exactly what I am concerned about so I am glad you posted this.

 

[No Imagination]

Yeah, and it actually is a bit of a problem for some people, esp. if you are not a 'memorizer'.

I always do better when the material is put into deep context - even if it is not on the exam - knowing why helps me remember if forever.

Sounds silly, but in parasitology, the fact that some (helminths) are "Dorso-ventrally flattened" didn't mean anything to me, until it was put into context (via Wikipedia lol) of their body cavity (needs to be DV flattened to increase surface area to volume ration) - now I won’t forget which are/go with which.

It's not just 'because' we were grad students that we think this way, I think it’s a cause and effect thing, we were grad students because we think this way. Least thats my theory - I’m sticking with it

 

[rileyroo]

Yeah, and it actually is a bit of a problem for some people, esp. if you are not a 'memorizer'.

I always do better when the material is put into deep context - even if it is not on the exam - knowing why helps me remember if forever.

Sounds silly, but in parasitology, the fact that some (helminths) are "Dorso-ventrally flattened" didn't mean anything to me, until it was put into context (via Wikipedia lol) of their body cavity (needs to be DV flattened to increase surface area to volume ration) - now I won’t forget which are/go with which.

It's not just 'because' we were grad students that we think this way, I think it’s a cause and effect thing, we were grad students because we think this way. Least thats my theory - I’m sticking with it

i'm the same way. that's how i learn and remember. i like to know where things come from and why they are structured/function that way.

 

[HopefulAg]

Ditto, but in undergrad you never get an explanation either so I'm used to having to look things up. I don't think it's a vet school thing, just a problem with the education system in general.

 

[rileyroo]

Ditto, but in undergrad you never get an explanation either so I'm used to having to look things up.

agreed.

 

[nyanko]

Ditto, but in undergrad you never get an explanation either so I'm used to having to look things up. I don't think it's a vet school thing, just a problem with the education system in general.

I think that having to look things up in undergrad and having to do it in vet school are two different animals, though. In undergrad there is not nearly as much information (so you have more time) and it is probably more easily located (so it takes less time). I love looking things up actually, because I inevitably will learn more about them than if someone tells me, but I'm not naive enough to think that I'll have time to look up every single thing I may not be clear on in a situation like exists in vet school.

 

[Caninerepro]

It's not just 'because' we were grad students that we think this way, I think it’s a cause and effect thing, we were grad students because we think this way. Least thats my theory - I’m sticking with it

🙂

 

[flyhi]

thanks all for your responses thus far.....very interesting and helpful. It's so neat to see how so many of you have the same concerns, fears and experiences.

no Imagination - just curious, is the dress code still in full force?

Keep the posts coming - we are really enjoying them!

 

[No Imagination]

no Imagination - just curious, is the dress code still in full force?

Yup - and it isn't going anywhere - Dress Shirt (oxford), Tie, Shoes, and slacks.

The girls on the other hand can pretty much get away with anything that doesn't show "Excessive Cleavage"... 😉

All in all, the dress code is the least of my problems... and next semester when i get some more loan money, i am going to buy enough close so I have a full week of atire...

(That or I can lose the 10 lbs I put on since starting and fit into my other pants... but right now I think I will just buy 5 more pants; but 'how to stay in shape while in vet school' can be another thread I guess)

 

[PythonChick]

We have been in school since early August. So far I have survived two Anatomy Exams, a Physiology Exam, Two Bacteriology Quizzes and a Histology Quiz, so I think my perspective may be a bit different than that of the people who have just started. All together I am having a great time. The information is overwhelming simply in its volume, and I am not going to be able to do anything to dispel the myth that between class and studying a lot of your time gets eaten up by school related things. That said, our teachers have generally been quite good about linking the things we are learning with future clinical relevance. I am having a great time, and whenever I start to get overwhelmed I find it relatively easy to still muster up some remaining excitement about just being in Vet School! I also like to make sure I get enough sleep and take at least 2 hours to myself to detox and relax every night. You have to give yourself time to be yourself!