Class of 2022...how you doin'?

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members do not see this ad.
johnnaboo said:
Kinda random, but I stumbled onto these videos on YouTube and I’m planning on trying to use these studying methods for my first semester. Anyone tried studying this way/have tips?


Click to expand...

Yeah, it's all about that active recall!
I used Anki for a while and it is great, but it takes a lot of time to make the notecards. If you go that route, I would try to make the cards during class if you can. I agree with what he said about it being really good for memorizing facts in particular (anatomy, pharm, stuff like that).
I like writing out notes with pretty colors and such so I'll do the closed-book note taking pretty often, after reading through a lecture.
We are usually given learning objectives for each lecture, so the other thing I'll do is use those to test myself.

I do fall into the trap of just passively reading through lectures...that is because I am lazy. Do not recommend lol

And uh, as far as spaced repetition goes...yup, it works well. But I'm a crammer by nature lol
 
vetmedhead said:
Bring a ton for orientation later this week when you're up at mountain campus for orientation. The elevation there is about 4000' higher than Fort Collins and it's no joke
Click to expand...
Do we have to bring our own water? I thought we just needed a water bottle.
 
johnnaboo said:
Kinda random, but I stumbled onto these videos on YouTube and I’m planning on trying to use these studying methods for my first semester. Anyone tried studying this way/have tips?


Click to expand...


In my first two years of uni, I studying by re-reading, highlighting, etc. and found it to be quite ineffective. For my third, fourth, and fifth years of uni I strictly used active recall techniques and my marks skyrocketed!

I use the method he showed in the first video for active recall. I'll type out comprehension questions and the corresponding slide/page, then check if I effectively answered the question afterwards. I use colours (green and red) to mark the numbers of the questions that I can answer really well or find very difficult.

I like to use cue cards if I have to memorize raw facts that don't necessarily require much comprehension. However I am going to give the Anki app a try this year!

When it comes to diagrams, I use mnemonics and practice drawing them (ie. Krebs cycle) or I will label diagrams that have blanks where the corresponding words should be (ie. anatomy). When it comes to diagrams though, I make sure that I understand all aspects of the diagram so I can work through it rather than just "memorize" it.

These are just some of the techniques that work for me, but I truly believe that active recall is key.
 
RedLauren said:
I’m going to Lily Lake the tomorrow morning, thanks for the suggestion @StayingPositive2017 ! Hopefully it’s easier than today was. Bear lake road was closed because the parking was full so we did the Ute trail and it kicked my butt! My feet feel like they’re about to fall off.
Click to expand...
Lily Lake will be a breeze then lol. If you go towards the cliff face from the parking lot (counterclockwise around the lake) there is a fun path up the rock (rock stairs) that will give you a great view. It loops back to the main path at the far side of the lake. Look for muskrats and moose!
 
BlueGoose said:
I hope everyone is getting excited for year one! How am I doing??? Alternating between disbelief that classes start in a week and nausea. Mostly nausea.
Click to expand...

My class schedule has been posted and imposter syndrome is officially setting in 😱 However I am so excited to go meet everyone in my class!! Vet school still doesn't feel real.
 
johnnaboo said:
Kinda random, but I stumbled onto these videos on YouTube and I’m planning on trying to use these studying methods for my first semester. Anyone tried studying this way/have tips?


Click to expand...

I used to do the rewriting notes thing, which was effective short term and time intensive. I switched to Cornell notes with spaced repetition during my third year and my grades went through the roof even though my time spent studying went down by half. I might try out Anki this semester but I did my own sort of spaced repetition before. I would write questions on the material the day of the lecture and review them one day later. If I felt somewhat confident on it, I didn't review those notes until 3 days later. If I still was confident, 7 days later. Then 2 weeks later. If I didn't answer the questions with ease at any point, I would review it again in the subsequent day. 2 weeks was the point where I felt like it stuck in my long term memory but I'm sure there is actual research showing how long it generally takes for long term recall. I definitely recommend trying it out.
 
johnsmith123 said:
I switched to Cornell notes with spaced repetition during my third year
Click to expand...
ezgif-2-eb2b48f167.gif
 
DRider13 said:
My class schedule has been posted and imposter syndrome is officially setting in 😱 However I am so excited to go meet everyone in my class!! Vet school still doesn't feel real.
Click to expand...
My orientation starts tomorrow and I kinda don’t wanna go....?

Because they might figure out I’m not supposed to be there ....?
 
My first day is tomorrow! It's not helpful that I have thoroughly screwed up my sleep schedule by staying up until 3-5 am every night for two weeks and now I have to be at school at 8:30 :laugh:

It's lab meeting day tomorrow and I feel like I should study something to be prepared, but also I don't know what to study. This is fun. 🙄
 
PrincessButterCup said:
My first day is tomorrow! It's not helpful that I have thoroughly screwed up my sleep schedule by staying up until 3-5 am every night for two weeks and now I have to be at school at 8:30 :laugh:

It's lab meeting day tomorrow and I feel like I should study something to be prepared, but also I don't know what to study. This is fun. 🙄
Click to expand...
Study the inside of your eyelids
 
PrincessButterCup said:
My first day is tomorrow! It's not helpful that I have thoroughly screwed up my sleep schedule by staying up until 3-5 am every night for two weeks and now I have to be at school at 8:30 :laugh:

It's lab meeting day tomorrow and I feel like I should study something to be prepared, but also I don't know what to study. This is fun. 🙄
Click to expand...
Even when I had lab meetings in undergrad, I hardly ever prepared. You’ll be fine! Just ask questions and be engaged, my former PI really liked when students did that.
 
vetmedhead said:
Cornell Notes - Wikipedia

they used to make me do these when I was in, like, sixth grade but they're not really my thing (because my typical studying approach is best described as a carefully crafted disaster)
Click to expand...
Oh yes. They made me do this in my chemistry class in high school. Definitely not my thing
 
Did some hiking in one of the National Parks today. Grizzly warning was in effect so we made it up one trail until we found fresh scat and ghosted the heck out of there, and then did a different trail. Got lost several times and the 3.2km trail became 10+km lol. Got some beautiful unexpected views though 🙂

Saw my class schedule and I’m trying to figure out how to read it. Also saw the exam schedule and it just hurt to look at lol.
 
MixedAnimals77 said:
SAME. Ours actually isn't terrible but I have some overlapping class times and I'm confused especially when you compare it to the "default" schedule.
Click to expand...
Only look at the one on the vetmed site, not the main university site. Class times are super random on there and make no sense :laugh:
 
8 days until moving day, 10 days until orientation starts! 😱 Not looking forward to the 15 1/2 hour drive. Any recommendations for those who have already made the move?

How in the world did this summer go so fast? I've never felt such a weird mixture of emotions! I'm sure all of you are feeling it too. I'm excited, nervous, dreading leaving home, and terrified all at once. I'm also really struggling with the fact that I'll be separated from my significant other until he finds a job up near school. He's been having trouble finding a job that wouldn't be a massive pay cut. I think that being by myself will be the hardest thing for me.

I'm still having dreams that I'll get up to school and my acceptance will be a mistake, or I'll fail miserably in every class, but lurking on this thread and seeing how excited everybody is is definitely helping! 😀
 
DrAlex2022 said:
Not looking forward to the 15 1/2 hour drive. Any recommendations for those who have already made the move?
Click to expand...

When I do the Illinois to Colorado drive, I make sure I have upbeat music, energizing snacks, breaks every 150-200 miles, and call one or two people. And I try to spend as much time driving with daylight as possible. Makes a world of difference.
 
DrAlex2022 said:
8 days until moving day, 10 days until orientation starts! 😱 Not looking forward to the 15 1/2 hour drive. Any recommendations for those who have already made the move?

How in the world did this summer go so fast? I've never felt such a weird mixture of emotions! I'm sure all of you are feeling it too. I'm excited, nervous, dreading leaving home, and terrified all at once. I'm also really struggling with the fact that I'll be separated from my significant other until he finds a job up near school. He's been having trouble finding a job that wouldn't be a massive pay cut. I think that being by myself will be the hardest thing for me.

I'm still having dreams that I'll get up to school and my acceptance will be a mistake, or I'll fail miserably in every class, but lurking on this thread and seeing how excited everybody is is definitely helping! 😀
Click to expand...
For my 12 hour drive I listened to audio books, and energizing music. I also called my sister when I was afraid I was going to get too sleepy, and pulled over to a rest stop when the exhaustion was really bad. I didn't drink much because I did not want to have to stop every couple of hours just to use the restroom.
 
I’m still in denial. I started the final stage of packing today and I’m reeeeeeeeally starting to feel emotions. I’ve lived in this area for 5 years and I feel simultaneously sad to be leaving it and also like I’ve outgrown it. I’m expecting Thursday (the day I actually leave) to be a big ol’ cryfest at this point.
 
WildZoo said:
Why are you me
Click to expand...
I wasn't smart enough to plan any caffeine this morning and I've been regretting that all day. :dead:

But oh my gosh, I am so excited to get started. I hadn't seen the lab yet and it's awesome - we have a lot of room to work in, and there's a wall of windows so we have a ton of natural light (yessss), and I think my lab mates are going to be really fun to work with. I'm so excited for this.
 
PrincessButterCup said:
I wasn't smart enough to plan any caffeine this morning and I've been regretting that all day. :dead:

But oh my gosh, I am so excited to get started. I hadn't seen the lab yet and it's awesome - we have a lot of room to work in, and there's a wall of windows so we have a ton of natural light (yessss), and I think my lab mates are going to be really fun to work with. I'm so excited for this.
Click to expand...
I'm so happy for you 😀
 
PrincessButterCup said:
I wasn't smart enough to plan any caffeine this morning and I've been regretting that all day. :dead:

But oh my gosh, I am so excited to get started. I hadn't seen the lab yet and it's awesome - we have a lot of room to work in, and there's a wall of windows so we have a ton of natural light (yessss), and I think my lab mates are going to be really fun to work with. I'm so excited for this.
Click to expand...
Ahhhh!!!! I’m so happy for you pbc!!!
 
The firsties started orientation this week and it's so weird watching the color coded shirts sitting around in circles all over campus. Plus there's like a million of them all over because they're required to be here for the first few weeks. Hope they enjoy the crap out of it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

overcastkidjuno
Class of 2028... how you doin?
Replies
22
Views
4K
BioAg22
BioAg22
IvyMoose
Class of 2027... how you doin'?
2 3
Replies
114
Views
14K
thenontraveler
thenontraveler
K
Class of 2026... how you doin'?
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
316
Views
39K
pp9
pp9
PhiloslothicalStudent
Class of 2025... How you doin’?
6 7 8 9 10
Replies
494
Views
84K
sheepcowdoghorse23
sheepcowdoghorse23
K
Online, Self-Paced Animal Nutrition Class?
Replies
5
Views
844
Koffeekat
K
Top