Class of 2020... how you doin?

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Well, rest of clinics has been cancelled (with a couple exceptions for online core rotations) and oath and hooding has been cancelled. I didn’t walk or get hooded for my PhD so I was really looking forward to at least one professional degree graduation. I also haven’t had an on campus rotation since January, so I was looking forward to being back and seeing classmates again. Alas, I basically have a 3 month vacation until I move and start residency now instead.
 
It's weird.
We're down to only having to go in for "essential" rotations. I don't have any of those left in my schedule. So theoretically I could be...basically done now, and just doing online things and maybe transition early to helping my lab with research stuff. I probably will still go in to help out around the hospital and keep myself sane.
Some of my classmates are planning on moving to wherever they were planning to go after graduation, since they can do clinics remotely from there.
It's weird to have this 4 year bond peter out like this.
 
WildZoo said:
It's weird.
We're down to only having to go in for "essential" rotations. I don't have any of those left in my schedule. So theoretically I could be...basically done now, and just doing online things and maybe transition early to helping my lab with research stuff. I probably will still go in to help out around the hospital and keep myself sane.
Some of my classmates are planning on moving to wherever they were planning to go after graduation, since they can do clinics remotely from there.
It's weird to have this 4 year bond peter out like this.
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It would happen but it’s definitely been expedited 🙁
 
WildZoo said:
It's weird.
We're down to only having to go in for "essential" rotations. I don't have any of those left in my schedule. So theoretically I could be...basically done now, and just doing online things and maybe transition early to helping my lab with research stuff. I probably will still go in to help out around the hospital and keep myself sane.
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I hate to be that person but if they don't need you there, you shouldn't go in. That's kind of the point of all these closures is to keep people away. I know it sucks, I'm about to be stuck at home with my husband, 1 year old, and dogs and cats for the next week but it's all in the name of public health right?
 
kcoughli said:
I hate to be that person but if they don't need you there, you shouldn't go in. That's kind of the point of all these closures is to keep people away. I know it sucks, I'm about to be stuck at home with my husband, 1 year old, and dogs and cats for the next week but it's all in the name of public health right?
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Some services do need students, they've just given most of us the option to stay home. So I'm not going just to go, but there are definitely areas that will be struggling without the extra help. Foal season and all that.
 
WildZoo said:
Some services do need students, they've just given most of us the option to stay home. So I'm not going just to go, but there are definitely areas that will be struggling without the extra help. Foal season and all that.
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Tbh I'm surprised the school is willing to take on that level of liability.
 
WildZoo said:
What do you mean?
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I think she means exposing students to the virus by letting them volunteer to come in.

Kind of similarish liability to a small animal clinic allowing a pre-vet to volunteer. Though, the liability is probably much higher in this case of allowing students to volunteer and potentially be exposed to a possibly fatal virus.
 
WildZoo said:
What do you mean?
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Eh it gets into a legal discussion that I'm definitely not qualified to have, especially online. It has nothing to do with your capabilities -- it's more related to how most schools view students/volunteers vs staff in the context of worker's comp and endangerment.

My school is also completely cray cray about liability though, so maybe that's less of a thing elsewhere lol.
 
DVMDream said:
I think she means exposing students to the virus by letting them volunteer to come in.

Kind of similarish liability to a small animal clinic allowing a pre-vet to volunteer. Though, the liability is probably much higher in this case of allowing students to volunteer and potentially be exposed to a possibly fatal virus.
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I guess? I dunno, maybe they should have us sign a form lol I'm technically employed by the school so probably less of a liability for me to come in than others who don't have jobs. That issue hasn't come up in the talks they've had with us, though maybe they've talked about it amongst themselves. We aren't in an area with community spread (yet), and are limiting interactions with clients, etc etc. Still only seeing emergencies so I guess I'm personally ok with the slightly increased risk if it means helping save lives. So I'd be willing to sign a form lol
 
PippyPony said:
Eh it gets into a legal discussion that I'm definitely not qualified to have, especially online. It has nothing to do with your capabilities -- it's more related to how most schools view students/volunteers vs staff in the context of worker's comp and endangerment.

My school is also completely cray cray about liability though, so maybe that's less of a thing elsewhere lol.
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Oh your school 😉
 
Clinics are still ongoing here, although some rotations are having a limited number of students come in each day and doing some online assignments. Apparently students aren't being allowed to scrub into surgeries as much due to the PPE shortages, so I might have a really boring last couple rotations. 🙁 However some services have a very loose definition of what qualifies as "urgent", e.g. yesterday onco was still doing some routine staging appointments. We just had the first confirmed case in the county here, so we'll see if that changes things...
 
Does anyone else not have a job and is low-key freaking out? I know there are bigger things in the world now but this whole no job, no school, uncertain future is giving me anxiety that I don't think I've ever had. I've been applying and interviewing (phone interviews) but everyone is on hold because of the virus (completely understandable) . I just feel so useless and like a freeloader at my parents house. I almost wish I had online classes or something. Like the way they ended our year, only certain rotations were moved online and everything else was considered complete. Sorry for venting.
 
K_Jaq94 said:
Does anyone else not have a job and is low-key freaking out? I know there are bigger things in the world now but this whole no job, no school, uncertain future is giving me anxiety that I don't think I've ever had. I've been applying and interviewing (phone interviews) but everyone is on hold because of the virus (completely understandable) . I just feel so useless and like a freeloader at my parents house. I almost wish I had online classes or something. Like the way they ended our year, only certain rotations were moved online and everything else was considered complete. Sorry for venting.
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Don't feel sorry for venting, this is an extremely stressful situation! I would feel extreme anxiety in your situation (and am low-key feeling a little already although I don't have to find for a job for a year yet). I can't offer anything except a willing ear to listen. Everything will work out in the end. Hang in there!
 
K_Jaq94 said:
Does anyone else not have a job and is low-key freaking out? I know there are bigger things in the world now but this whole no job, no school, uncertain future is giving me anxiety that I don't think I've ever had. I've been applying and interviewing (phone interviews) but everyone is on hold because of the virus (completely understandable) . I just feel so useless and like a freeloader at my parents house. I almost wish I had online classes or something. Like the way they ended our year, only certain rotations were moved online and everything else was considered complete. Sorry for venting.
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Not c/o 2020 but finishing my residency this year and definitely feel your pain on the job hunt front. I thought I was in pretty good shape all things considered until this happened. Fingers crossed everything eventually works out.
 
K_Jaq94 said:
Does anyone else not have a job and is low-key freaking out? I know there are bigger things in the world now but this whole no job, no school, uncertain future is giving me anxiety that I don't think I've ever had. I've been applying and interviewing (phone interviews) but everyone is on hold because of the virus (completely understandable) . I just feel so useless and like a freeloader at my parents house. I almost wish I had online classes or something. Like the way they ended our year, only certain rotations were moved online and everything else was considered complete. Sorry for venting.
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It's ok to freak out. Don't take any jobs you don't really want just to lessen the freak-out. I did that when I didn't have a job by graduation, and it was a huge mistake, and I ended up leaving that job after a week for a better job that was just a little slower in their hiring process. It will all work out in the end, I promise. The universe just doesn't have the same schedule that you do in your head. :kiss:
 
Hope you all are still semi looking forward to the next chapter even though the officialness of it has not been offered to you. I am thrilled to have you join us out in the field in the various capacities you will be filling and cannot wait to watch your thread continue as you have the ups and downs moving forward.

There is a new grad that was doing his externship with us when all this started and got cut a week short, but I am desperately hoping he will come join us as his first job. He was smart, eager to learn, and just an overall enjoyable person. You all have those qualities, so take a breath, get ready, and know that you will grow immensely over your first year and will then be eager for noobs of your own a short time later.

Much love, Class of 2020
congrats.gif
dontpanic.gif
cathug.gif
 
Lupin21 said:
Hope you all are still semi looking forward to the next chapter even though the officialness of it has not been offered to you. I am thrilled to have you join us out in the field in the various capacities you will be filling and cannot wait to watch your thread continue as you have the ups and downs moving forward.

There is a new grad that was doing his externship with us when all this started and got cut a week short, but I am desperately hoping he will come join us as his first job. He was smart, eager to learn, and just an overall enjoyable person. You all have those qualities, so take a breath, get ready, and know that you will grow immensely over your first year and will then be eager for noobs of your own a short time later.

Much love, Class of 2020
congrats.gif
dontpanic.gif
cathug.gif
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Ditto to all of what Lupin said so eloquently!! Congratulations, y’all have worked so unbelievably hard, you supertroopers!!
 
Lupin21 said:
Hope you all are still semi looking forward to the next chapter even though the officialness of it has not been offered to you. I am thrilled to have you join us out in the field in the various capacities you will be filling and cannot wait to watch your thread continue as you have the ups and downs moving forward.

There is a new grad that was doing his externship with us when all this started and got cut a week short, but I am desperately hoping he will come join us as his first job. He was smart, eager to learn, and just an overall enjoyable person. You all have those qualities, so take a breath, get ready, and know that you will grow immensely over your first year and will then be eager for noobs of your own a short time later.

Much love, Class of 2020
congrats.gif
dontpanic.gif
cathug.gif
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I have all these same qualities, can I also haz job?
 
We got an email today that we will still be able to order rental regalia even though oath & hooding ceremony and graduation will be virtual.

I'm really grateful.

I had more or less come to terms with this very weird and very anticlimactic end to vet school, at least as much as one can reasonably expect. But knowing that I will still get to put on the fancy gown and cap, pose for some pics, and stare at myself in the mirror and realize that I made it through the grueling ride that is vet school and I get to be a vet now...

I'm just really grateful.
 
I think I had adjusted pretty well to the online clinics thing when I was on small animal med. It just kind of lent itself to still being a good learning experience. A lot of that rotation is learning how to think through a complicated case, and sure there were procedures here or there that I would have done once, but at this point in clinics I didn't feel like missing out on those was going to break me. And it was hard to complain about not having to be at school for 12-14 hours a day.

But now, on equine field service, I'm just really sad about it. It's supposed to be a lot of fun and a lot of hands on, spending time outside...it's just a different kind of learning experience that I don't think translates well to online. It's one I was looking forward to and that I was glad to have scheduled at this time of year when it would be busy. It's just...upsetting.
 
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This morning I was feeling sad about graduation and some other things that life has dumped on Mr. Ceph and I lately, when my mom happened to call. My relationship with my parents is a bit tricky at times, but my mom was really encouraging on the phone - saying how proud she was of me, that getting a doctoral degree is a big deal even if the pandemic isn’t making it feel that way, and how she was the first woman in the family to go to college and I’m the first woman (and person in general) in the family to get a doctoral degree and how that’s so huge because honestly it wasn’t even that long ago that women weren’t even able to vote, and... yeah. It was very meaningful.
 
Cephal0pod said:
This morning I was feeling sad about graduation and some other things that life has dumped on Mr. Ceph and I lately, when my mom happened to call. My relationship with my parents is a bit tricky at times, but my mom was really encouraging on the phone - saying how proud she was of me, that getting a doctoral degree is a big deal even if the pandemic isn’t making it feel that way, and how she was the first woman in the family to go to college and I’m the first woman (and person in general) in the family to get a doctoral degree and how that’s so huge because honestly it wasn’t even that long ago that women weren’t even able to vote, and... yeah. It was very meaningful.
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PROUD OF YOU, YOU BEAUTIFUL POTATO
 
Our virtual graduation was this weekend and although certainly a different experience than an in person ceremony, it was still very meaningful. Our administration and student government did a great job putting it together.

I guess I’m Dr. Ceph now🙂

When is everybody else officially done?
 
Cephal0pod said:
Our virtual graduation was this weekend and although certainly a different experience than an in person ceremony, it was still very meaningful. Our administration and student government did a great job putting it together.

I guess I’m Dr. Ceph now🙂

When is everybody else officially done?
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Last day of online clinics is Friday, then our virtual graduation is the 15th!
 
Cephal0pod said:
Our virtual graduation was this weekend and although certainly a different experience than an in person ceremony, it was still very meaningful. Our administration and student government did a great job putting it together.

I guess I’m Dr. Ceph now🙂

When is everybody else officially done?
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Virtual graduation on the 9th, most of my classmates are done with clinics but I have two rotations to make up so I'll be done at the end of the month 🙂
 
Graduation was today, and then I visited the two locations of practice that has a part time opening. Mostly small animal but some exotics and it sounded like they'd be willing to see more. Hoping I get an interview 🙂
 
WildZoo said:
Graduation was today, and then I visited the two locations of practice that has a part time opening. Mostly small animal but some exotics and it sounded like they'd be willing to see more. Hoping I get an interview 🙂
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Good luck!!!
 
SARdoghandler said:
We don't even get a virtual graduation. They had a "send off" for us last week that was basically just profs being like "bye! Have fun storming the castle!"

So I guess I'm already Dr SAR?
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My favourite part was all the profs we had like... once... that showed up to say we were their favourite class and stuff :laugh: like... who are you again?
 
If anyone is in the mood for a laugh, skip to about 29 minutes and watch us all trying to say the oath together:

Nobody gave us a cue to start, so it's just 115 people talking over each other! 🤣 The pre-recorded videos they made for us were pretty nice, at least. Yesterday was weird, but it's nice to be officially done and I'm excited to move on June 1st!
 
LyraGardenia said:
If anyone is in the mood for a laugh, skip to about 29 minutes and watch us all trying to say the oath together:

Nobody gave us a cue to start, so it's just 115 people talking over each other! 🤣 The pre-recorded videos they made for us were pretty nice, at least. Yesterday was weird, but it's nice to be officially done and I'm excited to move on June 1st!
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I think Penn had a similar issue so for us they had us send in recordings of us saying the oath and then they put them all together lol
Our technical difficulty was that about 90% of the time we couldn't hear anything through zoom, so had to watch the livestream, except that was on a 2 minute delay :laugh:
 
Our ceremony they decided they were going to prerecord saying the names so there wouldn’t be timing or pronunciation issues. About half way through the names were so off the slides they were saying the last persons name when the next persons picture first showed up, and plenty of pronunciation issues remained despite them claiming they were going to fix them before finalizing the video :laugh:

I’m still just bummed we didn’t get our regalia. We could have, but the person in charge of facilitating our regalia didn’t actually try contacting the bookstore to see if we still could. So that’s great lol supposedly said person is now trying to get us our hoods, cords and tassels since we typically keep those but I really doubt that’ll happen lol
 
We had the oath but only like 6 students were asked to say it and it was pieced together and played before the ceremony. Then the whole thing was recorded. They read all our names and had pictures. It was weird because we weren't allowed to share it publicly or anything. I guess it's better than nothing which is what the president of the school originally wanted.‍:lame:
 
I didn’t even watch my graduation and returned my regalia to pay my light bill. Ours was just pictures of our faces :laugh:
 
itsrocky said:
I didn’t even watch my graduation and returned my regalia to pay my light bill. Ours was just pictures of our faces :laugh:
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Did you have to pay for regalia?!I thought it was included for everyone with SAVMA membership?
 
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