Class of 2019...how ya doing?

[pinkpuppy9]

So I guess my concern with externships (here we call them preceptorships but I think we’re talking about the same thing) is cost. The NAVLE and study materials are already adding a big expense to the next year for me, so even relatively low-cost housing options, travel, transportation around the location, figuring out pet care if I can’t bring mine with me... it all adds up. I live alone currently and it has been WONDERFUL but I have a friend in class who is looking for housing for next year and I’m wondering if the extra income of a roommate, as well as being able to help each other as far as pet care, etc. would make it worth it to do that for 4th year? Does anyone have input as to whether the demands of 4th year make it more or less amenable to having a roommate?

Are you part of the externship housing FB group? Log into Facebook | Facebook really good way to cut costs is to stay with other students who aren't likely to ask for exorbitant rent.

Other than that, I think it would depend on the person you might be rooming with. I lived with two great roommates the first two years, but I do have to say I'm enjoying living on my own (other than paying double in rent...). Pet wise, I think if you're willing to help others then they would return the favor. I'm sure there are classmates/underclassmen nearby. Perhaps get a Google doc going to help organize emergency pet walks when you can't leave the hospital.

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[KCgophervet]

So I guess my concern with externships (here we call them preceptorships but I think we’re talking about the same thing) is cost. The NAVLE and study materials are already adding a big expense to the next year for me, so even relatively low-cost housing options, travel, transportation around the location, figuring out pet care if I can’t bring mine with me... it all adds up. I live alone currently and it has been WONDERFUL but I have a friend in class who is looking for housing for next year and I’m wondering if the extra income of a roommate, as well as being able to help each other as far as pet care, etc. would make it worth it to do that for 4th year? Does anyone have input as to whether the demands of 4th year make it more or less amenable to having a roommate?

Agree with PP above but also, yes. I would say living with a roommate when you have pets 4th year can be a HUGE help (especially if the other person is either not a 4th year vet student or is taking different rotations than you are). My roommate was my now-husband who works normal hours so whenever I had to go in stupid early and come home stupid late he was always able to feed and care for my/our animals. Also the 4th year externships really do add up in costs and anything you can do to defray that is helpful. Finally, I felt like I just wasn't at home as much in 4th year as I was previously, so having a roommate was less of an issue (granted, I'm stuck with him for life now, but I could see it in a roomie situation). My previous vet school roomie was an equine student who moved into a house of small animal and food animal peeps so they rarely had rotations together which meant that usually someone had an easier schedule that block and could cover animal care as needed.

That being said, it depends on you and what you think you can live with. At the end of the day, it's only one year (and even then it'll feel like just 2 week chunks of time).

 

[calvin89]

Thanks @pinkpuppy9 and @kcoughli ! I am a member of the Facebook group, so I’ll definitely check out options there! I love your idea about the Google Doc for classmates/friends to set up help with pet care when we’ll be really busy. I’m glad to hear you both echo what I basically feel as well, which is that having a roommate would have potential benefits and drawbacks, and a lot depends on our compatibility as individuals. As you pointed out, it is only one year, and so I suppose even if it didn’t end up being a situation that I am totally happy in, there’d be an end in sight. All stuff to think about, but I appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Lupin21]

Le sigh. Clinics start first of May, and we won't be getting our schedules until mid to end of Feb... And that is assuming nothing major happens during that time. I just wanna know already if I got my preferences. haha

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Le sigh. Clinics start first of May, and we won't be getting our schedules until mid to end of Feb... And that is assuming nothing major happens during that time. I just wanna know already if I got my preferences. haha

Heard that. We start late March and still haven't gotten our *final* schedules yet. We got schedules at the beginning of the school year, and then were told they're going to be overhauled because the scheduler massively screwed up on some aspects...

People are waiting to be able to confirm/cancel externships, book housing, etc. I'm waiting to book a medical procedure, myself.

 

[Lupin21]

Heard that. We start late March and still haven't gotten our *final* schedules yet. We got schedules at the beginning of the school year, and then were told they're going to be overhauled because the scheduler massively screwed up on some aspects...

People are waiting to be able to confirm/cancel externships, book housing, etc. I'm waiting to book a medical procedure, myself.

Eek. Yeah, I mean, I won't have any trouble as long as I got my preferences, but if I didn't a wrench will have been tossed in the works. I am pretty sure they will accommodate me though. One of the good things about being a smaller class size. haha

Good luck to you getting yours sorted. I can't imagine having to try to get medical stuff taken care of with that time frame. :/

 

[Skimble]

Le sigh. Clinics start first of May, and we won't be getting our schedules until mid to end of Feb... And that is assuming nothing major happens during that time. I just wanna know already if I got my preferences. haha

We submit our preferences next week and we don’t get our schedules until mid-April, though they will work around any planned externships.

 

[Staffie]

We get our rotation schedules well in advance at RVC. We submit our preferences in May, get our schedules in early July, then start rotations in the following February. The class is so big that there’s a lot of students who miss out on their tracking preferences (especially cut throat for the zoo rotation). But we have so much time for externships that you can find your own experiences in whatever you want.

 

[Ashgirl]

We get our rotation schedules well in advance at RVC. We submit our preferences in May, get our schedules in early July, then start rotations in the following February. The class is so big that there’s a lot of students who miss out on their tracking preferences (especially cut throat for the zoo rotation). But we have so much time for externships that you can find your own experiences in whatever you want.

How do they decide who gets what preference? Are the tracks vastly different or just a few rotation differences? What happens if they don't get what they want, do they have a back-up or just thrown into another track?

Here, we don't track, so there is less "competition" for rotations since everyone has a lot of the same core ones. (We have 10 weeks of electives and 16 weeks "free" to do whatever with as well, which allows people to "track" their interest if they want). We start our clinical scheduling Dec-Jan of 2nd year, and your schedule comes out in March of 2nd year, since you enter clinics that following October. You are allowed one complete (6-8 week) block of whenever you want (for the most part), then the school works on a "preference lottery" system. So you preference what you want when (So I preferenced Equine Block 1 for #1, then Off-block 12 #2, Path block 3 #3, and on and on and on down the list). Supposedly, the system is supposed to try and make everyone happy and get the most preferences. I got a great schedule that matched my preferences, but some didn't, so who knows.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

We're the first class to not have tracking (although we only had a small and large animal track). Everyone gets 3 electives and 8 weeks vacation. The rest are core rotations or "directived electives" (my school made up a word?).

The issue with our tracking is that the large animal track had more time for electives, so zoo/wildlife people would take it and use that time for externships. Apparently it was an issue, so tracks were just completely abolished haha.

We submit our preferences next week and we don’t get our schedules until mid-April, though they will work around any planned externships.

How nice, our school literally told us that we'll get what we're given, even for the zoo people who have had externships booked one year (or more) in advance. Luckily most of us got our preferences, but we're still waiting to get those final schedules...

 

[Skimble]

We're the first class to not have tracking (although we only had a small and large animal track). Everyone gets 3 electives and 8 weeks vacation. The rest are core rotations or "directived electives" (my school made up a word?).

The issue with our tracking is that the large animal track had more time for electives, so zoo/wildlife people would take it and use that time for externships. Apparently it was an issue, so tracks were just completely abolished haha.


How nice, our school literally told us that we'll get what we're given, even for the zoo people who have had externships booked one year (or more) in advance. Luckily most of us got our preferences, but we're still waiting to get those final schedules...

I now have way more appreciation for the women in charge of coordinating our schedules.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

I now have way more appreciation for the women in charge of coordinating our schedules.

No kidding. I know the guy in charge is definitely such a nice guy and he is doing what he can with what he's told to do and doing it all by himself, but come on. Everyone knows to schedule zoo stuff far in advance. I know someone who waited to see the off blocks she was given and now she can't book a dang thing which really sucks.

 

[Skimble]

No kidding. I know the guy in charge is definitely such a nice guy and he is doing what he can with what he's told to do and doing it all by himself, but come on. Everyone knows to schedule zoo stuff far in advance. I know someone who waited to see the off blocks she was given and now she can't book a dang thing which really sucks.

I’m trying to book an externship in Thailand, and the application isn’t open yet for early 2019 when I want to go. I’ve been told it shouldn’t be a problem from the school.

 

[Lupin21]

I’m trying to book an externship in Thailand, and the application isn’t open yet for early 2019 when I want to go. I’ve been told it shouldn’t be a problem from the school.

Ooo! FUN!! Jelly of people that get to travel off. Perhaps one day is what I keep telling myself. haha

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Ooo! FUN!! Jelly of people that get to travel off. Perhaps one day is what I keep telling myself. haha

My friend is in Australia right now for her vacation block and I'm so jealous! It's on my list for sure.

 

[Skimble]

Ooo! FUN!! Jelly of people that get to travel off. Perhaps one day is what I keep telling myself. haha

I highly recommend traveling far and often!

 

[Lupin21]

My friend is in Australia right now for her vacation block and I'm so jealous! It's on my list for sure.

I highly recommend traveling far and often!

I am thinking I will take that on when my family of pets have past away. I don't like being away from them at all, and as it is leaving them with my parents for four months next year while I do externships and job hunt is gonna kill me. Joe is 16 this year and the pups are 9 and 10. I have to hope nothing happens while I'm away. I would be devastated.

 

[Staffie]

How do they decide who gets what preference? Are the tracks vastly different or just a few rotation differences? What happens if they don't get what they want, do they have a back-up or just thrown into another track?

Our "tracking" is just 3 rotations that you get a choice of. You rank your top 5 choices. For zoo tracking, there was a separate application form where you pleaded your case. I only requested small animal tracking and got my 1st, 3rd, and 5th choices, which was fine with me. I think a few people got put on a tracking rotation that they didn't list, but for the most part people ended up with choices that they listed. There was some ability to change things around after we got our schedules. There's also supposed to be the option to do one of the tracking rotations in house as one of your externships during the Christmas/Easter weeks we have off. Scheduling for that hasn't happened yet, but I hear it's a pretty popular option.

We all take the same core rotations. There are groups A-L (i think) which each do their core rotations and time for externships/tracking/research rotations at fixed times. You rank your top 5 group choices and you can write down things your really need taken into consideration (eg - going to a family wedding at a certain date, going to an externship at a certain time etc.). It worked out fine for me. I got my first choice of group and it gives me a solid block of 8 weeks off between mid-November and beginning of January to do externships, NAVLE, and go home for the holidays.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

I am thinking I will take that on when my family of pets have past away. I don't like being away from them at all, and as it is leaving them with my parents for four months next year while I do externships and job hunt is gonna kill me. Joe is 16 this year and the pups are 9 and 10. I have to hope nothing happens while I'm away. I would be devastated.

Can relate with my herd of 7 assorted animals. I planned 3/4 of my externships so that I could have them with me. I don't stress about the cats/dog/turtle as much, but I am super high strung about my rabbit now that he's had an episode of stasis.

 

[Skimble]

I have to finalize my 4th year plan in the next hour. It's pretty much done, with some wiggle room. I'm just nervous to hit submit!

 

[Lupin21]

I need to be watching lectures, but RuPaul's Drag is on marathon. Maybe I'll catch up this weekend. haha

 

[twelvetigers]

I need to be watching lectures, but RuPaul's Drag is on marathon. Maybe I'll catch up this weekend. haha

I set it to record episodes of that a while ago on Logo, and I looked today and it’s like 105 episodes... that’s a lot of sass at once.

 

[Lupin21]

I set it to record episodes of that a while ago on Logo, and I looked today and it’s like 105 episodes... that’s a lot of sass at once.

lol. They opened the next season of Allstars tonight, so the marathon was real as a review of all past seasons.

 

[Skimble]

Ugh. The imposter syndrome is strong this week. Maybe I’m just due for a good cry.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Ugh. The imposter syndrome is strong this week. Maybe I’m just due for a good cry.

Can relate.

Doesn't help that all of our lectures go into boarded specialist-level detail, so I feel hopelessly clueless and overwhelmed and like I'm going to be the worst 4th year.

 

[Skimble]

Can relate.

Doesn't help that all of our lectures go into boarded specialist-level detail, so I feel hopelessly clueless and overwhelmed and like I'm going to be the worst 4th year.

I’m in large animal block right now, so I’m totally out of my element. I also feel like I should know more than I do.

 

[Ashgirl]

Ugh. The imposter syndrome is strong this week. Maybe I’m just due for a good cry.

Imposter syndrome sucks, but you are such much better, smarter, and stronger than what that little voice in your head is spewing to you. Right before/right after starting clinics was the worst for me. I would cry a lot and literally start shaking before I talked to clinicians because I felt so incompetent. I still stumble all the time, but it's nothing like it was before. I am here to tell you that what you are going through is normal, and it does get way better. Keep your chin up, and we are all here for you if you need anything!

 

[Trilt]

And remember that these clinicians have seen the whole gamut of students... including ones who both don't KNOW everything and worse, don't CARE.

The fact that you're stressed about things at least shows you care, so you're a lot of steps up from the bottom. ;P

 

[LetItSnow]

And remember that these clinicians have seen the whole gamut of students... including ones who both don't KNOW everything and worse, don't CARE.

The fact that you're stressed about things at least shows you care, so you're a lot of steps up from the bottom. ;P

I promise you people that are worrying that you'll be ok.

The ones that aren't ok are the ones that are oblivious, think they know everything, and throw out inane answers. That's not you guys.

There will be some asshat clinicians/residents/interns who make your life miserable because they have unreasonable expectations, or because they're just jerks - it's a fact of life. But most of them aren't bad, and most of them understand the deer-in-the-headlights feeling students get.

I look back at some of the answers I gave to case discussions and .... wow. I was really dumb.

Nobody expects you to perform like someone who is a boarded specialist. Nobody even expects you to perform like someone who has been practicing 5, 10, or 20 years. It's alllllll a process.

Focus on understanding your cases like a doctor should - figure out what the problems are, come up with a <reasonable> list of differentials to explain those problems, and come up with a reasonable list of tests to get you to the bottom of things. Be able to explain why you're thinking what you're thinking, and it will be ok. You'll be humbled a lot when you forget something or can't explain something, but you'll walk away knowing it that much better.

A classmate of mine is a clinician at our vet school now. She tells me stories about seeing cases for vomiting cats/dogs and having students who can literally only give "ate something it shouldn't have" (dietary indiscretion) as a differential. Try to do a little better than that.

 

[Lupin21]

I actually spent some time outside today. It was glorious. It has been forever since I just took some time to sit out and enjoy the day for a couple hours. Now I have to dig into understanding ECGs. My mind is at least open for squiggle interpretation after R & R. lol

 

[LetItSnow]

I actually spent some time outside today. It was glorious. It has been forever since I just took some time to sit out and enjoy the day for a couple hours. Now I have to dig into understanding ECGs. My mind is at least open for squiggle interpretation after R & R. lol

ECGs for dummies:

Regular squiggles are good.

Irregular squiggles are bad.

No squiggles are really bad.

 

[DVMDream]

ECGs for dummies:

Regular squiggles are good.

Irregular squiggles are bad.

No squiggles are really bad.

Oh, regular squiggles....we're a ok...

 

[LetItSnow]

View attachment 228529

Oh, regular squiggles....we're a ok...

Totally.

Thing is alive. What more do you want?

 

[Lupin21]

Totally.

Thing is alive. What more do you want?

I did my very best to pay attention to these lectures, but alas. My mind wandered and now I am watching chopped waiting for my boxed paneer and vindaloo to heat while I decide if I want straight whiskey or I should add a little coke. lol

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Definitely feeling like a pile of crap....it's my last quarter and I'm still too burnt out to have study motivation. Makes me worried about my NAVLE studying.

 

[Lupin21]

Definitely feeling like a pile of crap....it's my last quarter and I'm still too burnt out to have study motivation. Makes me worried about my NAVLE studying.

I blame spring semesters/quarters. I've spent a hundred hours on a game and maybe three on studying the past two weeks of school. Hoping I pick it up this week though since I have two exams a week starting after this next week. lol

 

[WildZoo]

I blame spring semesters/quarters. I've spent a hundred hours on a game and maybe three on studying the past two weeks of school. Hoping I pick it up this week though since I have two exams a week starting after this next week. lol

Spring semesters are always more difficult for me too. I don't know why. I'm really trying this time, or at least I thought I was, and I feel less apathy than I did last spring, but I still can't seem to stay on top of things. Or study much at all. Depending a lot on the fact that I've actually been paying attention in class so far.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

I blame spring semesters/quarters. I've spent a hundred hours on a game and maybe three on studying the past two weeks of school. Hoping I pick it up this week though since I have two exams a week starting after this next week. lol

Spring semesters are always more difficult for me too. I don't know why. I'm really trying this time, or at least I thought I was, and I feel less apathy than I did last spring, but I still can't seem to stay on top of things. Or study much at all. Depending a lot on the fact that I've actually been paying attention in class so far.

It's also hit 55ish degrees this week after about a week with the temp not going above 10-15 degrees. Not quite warm enough to try to study outside somewhere, but warm enough that you don't want to be cooped up inside.

 

[LyraGardenia]

Spring semesters are always more difficult for me too. I don't know why. I'm really trying this time, or at least I thought I was, and I feel less apathy than I did last spring, but I still can't seem to stay on top of things. Or study much at all. Depending a lot on the fact that I've actually been paying attention in class so far.

Same, I really struggle to find my motivation during spring semesters. It would be nice to have 3 months off after every semester, but alas.

 

[Skimble]

Same, I really struggle to find my motivation during spring semesters. It would be nice to have 3 months off after every semester, but alas.

I definitely agree it has to do with the short break between fall and spring semesters. My motivation is often lacking in the spring (though this wasn't true in undergrad when I had a month off for winter break vs 2 wks in vet school.)

 

[pinkpuppy9]

I definitely agree it has to do with the short break between fall and spring semesters. My motivation is often lacking in the spring (though this wasn't true in undergrad when I had a month off for winter break vs 2 wks in vet school.)

We have a month off for winter break (although this year we only had 3w for some reason) and I still have no motivation for the spring semester

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Decided to take a 'personal day' today while I still can with no consequences. I slept in for an extra hour and unsurprisingly, had a dream about missing class. And that someone had brought in tubs of ice cream.

 

[Lupin21]

Decided to take a 'personal day' today while I still can with no consequences. I slept in for an extra hour and unsurprisingly, had a dream about missing class. And that someone had brought in tubs of ice cream.

Most of these days are my personal days. lol I only go to school right now for things I am enjoying, cytology, surgery, and thurs fridays rotating through the various hospital sections making sure I reacquaint myself with the layout and expectations for clinics. Very chill semester for me.

 

[Lupin21]

Sat in with cryo and cisplatin beads for SCC horse today. Oh, and he had an anterior lens luxation in the other eye. I had no idea it was no big deal really in a horse as compared to the emergency for SA. I really enjoy Ophtho. Not enough to agree to residency horridness, but I look forward to being competent in practice. haha

 

[Lupin21]

Oooo. And it is a possibility we get our 4th schedules tomorrow. Here's hoping. haha

 

[Skimble]

Sat in with cryo and cisplatin beads for SCC horse today. Oh, and he had an anterior lens luxation in the other eye. I had no idea it was no big deal really in a horse as compared to the emergency for SA. I really enjoy Ophtho. Not enough to agree to residency horridness, but I look forward to being competent in practice. haha

I like ophtho, but in practice I really love cardio and dentistry. If I had done this whole vet med thing earlier in my life, I may have pursued one of those. I also really love GP though, because I like the variety. So, who knows, maybe I would have always ended up in gp.

 

[Lupin21]

I like ophtho, but in practice I really love cardio and dentistry. If I had done this whole vet med thing earlier in my life, I may have pursued one of those. I also really love GP though, because I like the variety. So, who knows, maybe I would have always ended up in gp.

That is basically where I am at. I would like to have the option to retire at a decent age, so I think just enjoying GP is right for me at this time in my life.

 

[Skimble]

I also really love path, but part of what I love about vet med is interacting with clients, and I would miss that with path.

 

[Lupin21]

I also really love path, but part of what I love about vet med is interacting with clients, and I would miss that with path.

Yup! I have on my list of things to look for in a job the freedom to enjoy my interests and keep up on CE for it. Pretty sure most offer that, but finding the right mix is likely analogous to filling a vet class. haha

 

[DVMDream]

I also really love path, but part of what I love about vet med is interacting with clients, and I would miss that with path.

This is the part of vet med I wish I could eliminate. Actually the only reason I even partially enjoy surgery is because there is less client communication on surgery days. Check in those few surgeries, then don't have to interact with clients the rest of the day.