Class of 2023... how you doin?!

[Coopah]

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I think, initially, it's hard to gauge just how much the volume of credits/material will really affect you. There were a lot of things about first year (and vet school in general) that really weren't that hard, but the frequency and rate at which you have to do it really wears on you even if you don't realize it until you have a meltdown. The constant level of stress of staying on top of 20-30 credits is huge and I think I've gone something like three semesters straight where I had at least an exam a week (or two) for 90% of the semester.

I will say that everyone I know has gotten insanely good at inhaling vast amounts of information in a really short period of time. At the same time, learning to adapt like that can make it harder to enjoy some previous hobbies (like reading or art) because your brain just screams for the maximum amount of information and stimulation per second because that's what you've trained it to do in school. I know a lot of people who have lost interest in books, long movies, drawing etc because they feel like things aren't happening fast enough in them anymore.

Holy ****, that's why my gaming has been so sporadic. I still read for pleasure I just chomp the whole book in a few hours to make it speed up. I never even realized... wow

 

[that redhead]

I've been in class for a week and from my point of view, it is easier than undergrad.

I remember seeing a list of enzymes that worked together (I think for DNA repair but may be wrong) and the teacher said "but I don't expect you to memorize all of this"

And I was like "WHAT. THIS IS FANTASTIC."

Because that's all of what my major was-cramming all that stuff in.

I remember being excited I didn’t have to re-memorize the Krebs cycle. And then in second year they gave us a huge chart in tiny print with like every virus known to man and all of its characteristics/family/etc and told us to memorize it. I was wishing for the Krebs cycle right about then.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

It didn't click for me until my boss made an offhand comment the summer after my first year, asking me if I had stopped reading yet because books weren't dense enough. She said it took her years after she finished vet school to be able to read for pleasure, and even then it was nonfiction most of the time.

I've been trying really hard over the past semester or so to cultivate what I call "slow hobbies", so I can give my brain a break and remind myself that those things are still engaging (you just have to learn how to switch gears a little). I picked up reading again and have gotten really into gardening (and, recently, composting) and spending time doing those things has been a huge boon to my mental health overall. I picked up swimming as well since it's an activity that you generally can't do while listening to music or watching TV, so you have to spend time focusing on yourself and the moment while you're doing it.

This is so accurate. I used to loveeee to read, and now I can barely manage an interest. It’s kinda sad. I did manage to inhale a couple books right before school started again this summer for the first time since before undergrad!

I gave up all my hobbies in undergrad, but have since started to develop new ones over the last year. Having a young athletic dog to do things with has mostly been the driving force for me.

 

[nyanko]

Holy ****, that's why my gaming has been so sporadic.

Play better games.

 

[Coopah]

Play better games.

I've been replaying kingdom hearts!! It's been awesome

 

[danseth]

Ya'll it's been 2 days of classes so far and I already feel like I'm so much farther behind than my classmates. Some people are so gung-ho about studying that I feel like everyone is ahead of me. There's this general consensus that we are all kinda in the same place though (most people haven't fully started studying yet). The few that are being extra proactive scare me.

 

[vetmedhead]

Ya'll it's been 2 days of classes so far and I already feel like I'm so much farther behind than my classmates. Some people are so gung-ho about studying that I feel like everyone is ahead of me. There's this general consensus that we are all kinda in the same place though (most people haven't fully started studying yet). The few that are being extra proactive scare me.

It's easy to feel behind really quickly. Just focus on yourself and chat with your professors if you're feeling over your head - they'll help you feel better and sort yourself out if you need to.

Don't worry about how you compare to the super proactive people. They're doing what they feel they need to do - it's okay if you're not doing the same things or studying at the same volume. Whatever works for you works for you!

 

[DVMDream]

Ya'll it's been 2 days of classes so far and I already feel like I'm so much farther behind than my classmates. Some people are so gung-ho about studying that I feel like everyone is ahead of me. There's this general consensus that we are all kinda in the same place though (most people haven't fully started studying yet). The few that are being extra proactive scare me.

Also remember that people lie. You don't know for certain what anyone else is doing or not doing. Don't assume and don't take everything that your classmates claim at face value. Just focus on you, what works for you and getting you through school.

Your classmates will try to turn everything into a competition early on, don't play the game, just focus on you. If they ask about grades a generic "I don't feel like comparing grades I just care everyone is doing ok, I passed and hope you did as well," shuts them up fairly quickly.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Ya'll it's been 2 days of classes so far and I already feel like I'm so much farther behind than my classmates. Some people are so gung-ho about studying that I feel like everyone is ahead of me. There's this general consensus that we are all kinda in the same place though (most people haven't fully started studying yet). The few that are being extra proactive scare me.

I stayed out of the cubes for the most part because it was just really annoying. The very vocal ones about everything are also usually the nosy ones that fee the need to size up the competition and get weird if they can’t figure out where you stand in relations to them. If I needed to take a quiz on premise, I went in at like 10pm so there would be minimal people around. I found that those who were gung ho were more often than not those who ended up not doing so well later. Typically they were too focused on being vocal about their vigor that they actually missed the mark. Pay no attention and just do your thing. Don’t compare yourself to others. You just need to do your best. Remember that everyone in the class has different backgrounds. Some people don’t have to study that hard to do well especially first year if they are well prepared. Others come in behind, and will have to study harder. How well you do doesn’t necessarily have do much with with how “hard core” you’re studying... whatever that means... somehow means a lot to some first years.

 

[Lupin21]

Always remember too first year there is a lot of grades based "competition" and drama that will mostly taper off through the years. It is like a horse race where everything is super frantic out of the gate, but then you settle into a groove through the curves, and fourth year is more like the stretch where it stops correlating as a competition so much as just trying to reach the finish line. haha

 

[Dinashadow]

So first day of class was today. I feel like they're really trying to ease us in slowly because our schedule is pretty light this next few weeks. I'm grateful for the extra time we have and the professors all seem really open which is something nice that I didn't really have in undergrad.

Also I'm not sure how everyone else's school is but they're putting a huge focus on mental health and wellness. They even allotted time so that everyone can meet one of the counselors which is something I really appreciate.

 

[Cobyology]

About to start the second week of class. I already feel like I don't have enough time to study everything, and we still have yet to begin two classes.

 

[boogercat]

keep telling myself that Im In Vet School as my eyes glaze over learning the intricacies of the G Protein Coupled Receptors

 

[Coopah]

keep telling myself that Im In Vet School as my eyes glaze over learning the intricacies of the G Protein Coupled Receptors

Welcome to basic! That material doesn't magically get interesting. Even the interesting material is inundated with boring stuff. Just keep shoveling that info down and eventually you'll adjust.

 

[boogercat]

Welcome to basic! That material doesn't magically get interesting. Even the interesting material is inundated with boring stuff. Just keep shoveling that info down and eventually you'll adjust.

 

[iguessisaidthat]

Anatomy was kinda fun two weeks ago... and then the ligaments and tendons and attachments and functions started coming and I’m drowning and having nightmares about dissections lol

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Anatomy was kinda fun two weeks ago... and then the ligaments and tendons and attachments and functions started coming and I’m drowning and having nightmares about dissections lol

Wait til you get to nerves and arteries then you'll long for muscles

 

[Caiter92]

Wait til you get to nerves and arteries then you'll long for muscles

That was my favorite section in anatomy

 

[PippyPony]

Also I'm not sure how everyone else's school is but they're putting a huge focus on mental health and wellness.

You're welcome for all the previous suffering haha.

(I'm kidding, it's our wellness committee + curriculum committee + the dean of academic affairs' doing. And we are now getting a break between exams every 3-4 weeks or so, too! It's magical)

 

[PippyPony]

Learn that anatomy well, young padawans...I heard the words "you all remember your anatomy, of course..." no fewer than four times today during procedures labs + lectures.

And every time, I'm nodding and going "...yes...yes of course I remember...how could one forget the regional block location for the extra cornual branch of C1 in some adult cattle..." *quietly hyperventilates*

ugh sorry if that photo is huge, I thought SDN fixed the picture situation but maybe not

 

[ajs513]

Today my anatomy lab group thought we finished super early so we took an early lunch and hung out for a while. Then my friend and I realized we stopped 5 pages early and didn’t actually dissect out a single hind limb muscle. So tomorrow we have basically two labs of material to cover...

Other than it’s fine everything is fine.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Today my anatomy lab group thought we finished super early so we took an early lunch and hung out for a while. Then my friend and I realized we stopped 5 pages early and didn’t actually dissect out a single hind limb muscle. So tomorrow we have basically two labs of material to cover...

Other than it’s fine everything is fine.

Were you transecting them or are you guys up to removing the leg? We did the first set of pelvic muscles and they were really easy. Sartorius (cranial and caudal), gracillis, semimembranosus, semitendonosus, pecteneus, adductor, and biceps femoris.

 

[ajs513]

Were you transecting them or are you guys up to removing the leg? We did the first set of pelvic muscles and they were really easy. Sartorius (cranial and caudal), gracillis, semimembranosus, semitendonosus, pecteneus, adductor, and biceps femoris.

We’re supposed to be at the stage of transecting most of them. No removing yet.

 

[kaydubs]

You're welcome for all the previous suffering haha.

(I'm kidding, it's our wellness committee + curriculum committee + the dean of academic affairs' doing. And we are now getting a break between exams every 3-4 weeks or so, too! It's magical)

I’m kinda jealous.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Anatomy was kinda fun two weeks ago... and then the ligaments and tendons and attachments and functions started coming and I’m drowning and having nightmares about dissections lol

Were you transecting them or are you guys up to removing the leg? We did the first set of pelvic muscles and they were really easy. Sartorius (cranial and caudal), gracillis, semimembranosus, semitendonosus, pecteneus, adductor, and biceps femoris.

Did you all get a cookie from the dean wife?

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Did you all get a cookie from the dean wife?

Noo! I was sad when I saw you share that because somehow I totally missed it. But also I have been blowing snot everywhere today so probably shouldn't be putting my paws in where others will be eating

 

[iguessisaidthat]

Did you all get a cookie from the dean wife?

I didn’t realize that was the dean’s wife! It was the highlight of my day no joke 😀

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Noo! I was sad when I saw you share that because somehow I totally missed it. But also I have been blowing snot everywhere today so probably shouldn't be putting my paws in where others will be eating

Sadness! Should've had someone get you one. Apparently it's a twice yearly thing. I missed out on it both times last year so today was my first time.

I didn’t realize that was the dean’s wife! It was the highlight of my day no joke 😀

Shes awesome and a pretty neat lady to work with. Made all the cookies herself they are a very sought after item around here. Literally they get auctioned off for our SAVMA auction fundraiser its crazy!

 

[atticus1957]

I know there is an official thread, but having a hard time getting people to bite over there. Does anyone have experience with UNE Online prereq courses specifically the Biochemistry class. Any feedback or experiences people have with them is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[danseth]

Our physiology professor keeps showing us videos and photos of people being hit with the water coming from a firehose and then asking us if that's how we feel yet... I have never seen a more accurate reference for how much information is being shoved down our throats. The good news is I feel alright about IDing muscles of the pelvic limb but coming up with the origin, insertion, and innervation is lost to me right now. Also cannot ID every little bone bump, hole, and eminence to save my life.

 

[Cobyology]

Our physiology professor keeps showing us videos and photos of people being hit with the water coming from a firehose and then asking us if that's how we feel yet... I have never seen a more accurate reference for how much information is being shoved down our throats. The good news is I feel alright about IDing muscles of the pelvic limb but coming up with the origin, insertion, and innervation is lost to me right now. Also cannot ID every little bone bump, hole, and eminence to save my life.

I know that feeling. We're still finishing up the forelimb right now. Thankfully we are saving the innervations until later in the semester, but attachments and actions slowly starting to come to me.

 

[danseth]

I know that feeling. We're still finishing up the forelimb right now. Thankfully we are saving the innervations until later in the semester, but attachments and actions slowly starting to come to me.

We have only done pelvic limb thus far. Tomorrow we dissect the nerves and vessels of the pelvic limb so we have to know innervations too. I think I'm good with actions (mostly) because our anatomy professor did a good job at explaining extension vs flexion to us.

Barely two weeks into class, it feels like it's been three months. I feel like I have no time for anything

 

[vetmedhead]

Our physiology professor keeps showing us videos and photos of people being hit with the water coming from a firehose and then asking us if that's how we feel yet... I have never seen a more accurate reference for how much information is being shoved down our throats. The good news is I feel alright about IDing muscles of the pelvic limb but coming up with the origin, insertion, and innervation is lost to me right now. Also cannot ID every little bone bump, hole, and eminence to save my life.

You'll get there! A lot of vet school is like aiming a firehose at a teacup and expecting it to hold all the water. Take things a step at a time and remember that you can do this, and many a vet student before you has felt the same way 🙂

All of us here believe in you. If you ever need a pep talk, feel free to hit me up!

-With love from a friendly neighborhood third year

 

[that redhead]

Our physiology professor keeps showing us videos and photos of people being hit with the water coming from a firehose and then asking us if that's how we feel yet... I have never seen a more accurate reference for how much information is being shoved down our throats. The good news is I feel alright about IDing muscles of the pelvic limb but coming up with the origin, insertion, and innervation is lost to me right now. Also cannot ID every little bone bump, hole, and eminence to save my life.

I’m a visual learner primarily but really benefit from the tactile parts of learning. What helped me with origin/insertion/innervation was going through the specimens themselves, hands-on, and naming each muscle followed by its o/i/i. When I was looking at the muscle, it became a lot easier to remember those things because your brain has context right there in front of you instead of trying to pull specific words out of your mental vault. Plus the repetition of going through the whole forelimb or whatever a hundred times. I always went with my two study buddies and we quizzed each other, which was our style of study throughout the rest of vet school and it was perfect. Never a strategy I’d used before, either, but it worked wonders for my brain.

 

[PippyPony]

Mnemonics helped me for certain anatomy things.

e g. the extensor muscles of the antebrachium in order are "every cow loves u" = extensor carpi radialis, common digital extensor, lateral digital extensor, ulnaris lateralis (not always an extensor in every species). Find extensor carpi radialis and then you know the others.

And weird ones like "LR6 DO4" also stuck with me - lateral rectus is innervated by cranial nerve VI, dorsal oblique by cranial nerve IV

Edit to add: if you want the ones that circulated around our class, PM me and I'll dig them up at some point. They definitely don't help for everything but can be useful in certain settings.

 

[miaoj]

Just finished second week, aside from the stress from classes, does anyone else feel it is hard to fit in? It feels weird to experience the same kind of emotions I had when I first started high school at my age. Most of people in my class seem to have formed their own groups already, I am starting to worry a little about finding friends in vet school. I am a couple years older than most of my classmates, and a minority, and maybe thats why I feel particularly out of place.

 

[battie]

Just finished second week, aside from the stress from classes, does anyone else feel it is hard to fit in? It feels weird to experience the same kind of emotions I had when I first started high school at my age. Most of people in my class seem to have formed their own groups already, I am starting to worry a little about finding friends in vet school. I am a couple years older than most of my classmates, and a minority, and maybe thats why I feel particularly out of place.

So I didn't find my set group of friends until second semester for my first year. I don't hang out at all with my original group of friends. When I ended repeating first year, I kept that new group, and it took until second year deep into first semester to really establish another group of friends in my own year.

Don't worry about it too much. The dynamics can change pretty drastically depending on peoples' lives. I'm about 3-3.5 years older than our average age, so I feel you there. Kinda in that limbo stage between the straight shooters from undergrad to vet school, but younger than all the second career peeps.

 

[boogercat]

Hopping in to update: joined 5 clubs (Feline med, kitten coordination, equine med, and 2 emergency clubs) and on the list serves for a couple more if I'm not drowning. A lil jealous of those of you who get to dissect - we don't get to until January, but I'm not jealous of that studying. First exam is on monday though, and I'm finding out I kind of like pathology? Looking at slides is so neat, and we had a lecture on cell death today that was exhilarating. Prof kept referring to liquifactive necrosis as 'creamy', and caseous necro as 'cheesy'. COOL

 

[Tru108]

Just finished second week, aside from the stress from classes, does anyone else feel it is hard to fit in? It feels weird to experience the same kind of emotions I had when I first started high school at my age. Most of people in my class seem to have formed their own groups already, I am starting to worry a little about finding friends in vet school. I am a couple years older than most of my classmates, and a minority, and maybe thats why I feel particularly out of place.

What school do you go to???

 

[Coopah]

Hopping in to update: joined 5 clubs (Feline med, kitten coordination, equine med, and 2 emergency clubs) and on the list serves for a couple more if I'm not drowning. A lil jealous of those of you who get to dissect - we don't get to until January, but I'm not jealous of that studying. First exam is on monday though, and I'm finding out I kind of like pathology? Looking at slides is so neat, and we had a lecture on cell death today that was exhilarating. Prof kept referring to liquifactive necrosis as 'creamy', and caseous necro as 'cheesy'. COOL

Hope you joined surgery club listserve. We do the cool wetlabs

 

[ajs513]

Just finished second week, aside from the stress from classes, does anyone else feel it is hard to fit in? It feels weird to experience the same kind of emotions I had when I first started high school at my age. Most of people in my class seem to have formed their own groups already, I am starting to worry a little about finding friends in vet school. I am a couple years older than most of my classmates, and a minority, and maybe thats why I feel particularly out of place.

It can be tough. Just try to insert yourself into groups that are standing around talking. Ask for people’s numbers. Post on your class’s Facebook group or GroupMe or whatever you guys use and ask if anyone wants to grab drinks after class. I’ve heard vet school described as being like high school from a ton of people, and I agree so far. People find their niche and seem to fall into it. Don’t get discouraged.

 

[Lupin21]

I never had a set group. I mingled here and there, but mostly enjoyed not being a part of society. lol

I did have a short time where a group of us formed a board game night once or twice a month, and that was quite pleasant, so if you have a hobby that you want to make sure you keep up in school, I would suggest something like that. 🙂

 

[Chihuahualove22]

Mnemonics helped me for certain anatomy things.

e g. the extensor muscles of the antebrachium in order are "every cow loves u" = extensor carpi radialis, common digital extensor, lateral digital extensor, ulnaris lateralis (not always an extensor in every species). Find extensor carpi radialis and then you know the others.

And weird ones like "LR6 DO4" also stuck with me - lateral rectus is innervated by cranial nerve VI, dorsal oblique by cranial nerve IV

Edit to add: if you want the ones that circulated around our class, PM me and I'll dig them up at some point. They definitely don't help for everything but can be useful in certain settings.

I literally just made a mnemonic for those muscles! Every Canine Loves Unicorns! haha

 

[that redhead]

@miaoj seconding everyone else: don’t feel discouraged! You’re SO early into things and there is PLENTY of time to make friends. Continue being pleasant to everyone and remember to put in some work yourself- post in the class FB group to see if anyone wants to do a game night or grab dinner; if people are looking for others to go with them to a concert or the park, join in! As an introvert I found it intimidating early on but I definitely found my people (and still enjoyed the company of other classmates outside my usual group!)

 

[vetmedhead]

Speaking as someone from a school with a big class size, I would also add that my friend group has expanded every year of vet school. You'd be surprised how many people you'll click with who you never even talked to in years 1 or even 2. I think it helps to recognize that you don't need to be best friends with anybody, and to lean into activities you might have otherwise avoided. Having a good attitude, being willing to strike up conversations, and being supportive will get you very far with most people.

That being said, these things come with time, and things seem a lot less flexible when vet school first starts. I think a lot of people find friends from orientation and latch onto them immediately, but things open up a lot as school progresses and people feel more comfortable expanding their social groups. Remember, you have a TON in common with your classmates just by virtue of being classmates, and there aren't many people who are outright unwilling to accept anyone new into their social lives.

If it offers any reassurance, the people I am the closest to in vet school were literally afraid of me for about two months before we became friends. There are other people who I talk to every day who I didn't even really get to know until second year. Be patient and be yourself.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I really didn’t start establishing my friend group until second semester. And I met me vet school bestie during the summer after first year. Now I have a group of friends that I adore. Probably the best friends I’ve ever had. Something about surviving vet school together tends to make you close with people. But yeah, the year is young. Just like with studying, you’ll find your groove🙂

 

[mtlvet2024]

Just finished second week, aside from the stress from classes, does anyone else feel it is hard to fit in? It feels weird to experience the same kind of emotions I had when I first started high school at my age. Most of people in my class seem to have formed their own groups already, I am starting to worry a little about finding friends in vet school. I am a couple years older than most of my classmates, and a minority, and maybe thats why I feel particularly out of place.

Yup, you are definitely not alone in this. I am a few years older than my classmates and studying in a second language. A lot of the events and parties that have been planned so far aren't really my kind of thing, and I was getting extremely worried about fitting in. I initially felt like I needed to rush to make friends, because so many people in upper years, and even our professors, made comments about how the friends you make during orientation are so important, and you will keep them the rest of your life, and so on. Which may be true for lots of people but it just made me feel crappy because I wasn't having that experience!
But now, at the end of week 2, I am starting to feel like I've found a few people I can connect with. I'm just being patient with it and trust that it will slowly improve 🙂 best of luck to you!

 

[PippyPony]

Remember, you have a TON in common with your classmates just by virtue of being classmates

^^^^^this.

EVERYONE in your class loves animals. A lot.

Also, everyone has something unique about that love of animals that got them into vet school in the first place. For introverts, networking can seem horrifying at first, but I find it helps if you focus on the cool things you learn about your colleagues.

For example, the woman who hired me at my old job was an ex-Olympian. Right now, I go to school with people who have made friends with spider monkeys in Peru, worked on zoonotic disease control in Rwanda, saved frostbitten kittens from an ice-covered fence, climb hundreds of feet of sheer rock face before dawn almost every weekend, flew helicopters in combat, and frequently skip class to drive 20 hours to go see rare birds on unusual migration patterns.

Graduate school is a great time to discover that networking isn't necessarily scary when you practice. For me, it is helpful to be reminded that there are a lot of amazing people in the world with incredibly diverse interests and experiences -- a revelation which is all the more exciting when you remember you're all in grad school for the same basic reason.

Also, people often like talking about themselves, so asking questions about what brought them to school is often a good conversation starter.

 

[twelvetigers]

Mnemonics for everything in anatomy. I taught my (human) anatomy kids about Shamu's 'special' little brother, MARMU. I had a picture showing the brachial plexus and how each crosses over etc. and it ended in MARMU - musculocutaneous axillary radial median ulnar - so... find ways to make it like that. It helps. Them more idiotic, the better. Draw pictures to help you remember - spend 10 minutes making an orca on your study paper and that will stick in your head - "Oh yeah, the orca, what was that? Not Shamu... oh, MARMU, okay."

This is my best possible advice for anatomy. You won't remember it forever and ever but you don't need to - you'll review it when relevant and forget most of the rest of it. Along with everyone else.

 

[vetmedhead]

Mnemonics for everything in anatomy. I taught my (human) anatomy kids about Shamu's 'special' little brother, MARMU. I had a picture showing the brachial plexus and how each crosses over etc. and it ended in MARMU - musculocutaneous axillary radial median ulnar - so... find ways to make it like that. It helps. Them more idiotic, the better. Draw pictures to help you remember - spend 10 minutes making an orca on your study paper and that will stick in your head - "Oh yeah, the orca, what was that? Not Shamu... oh, MARMU, okay."

This is my best possible advice for anatomy. You won't remember it forever and ever but you don't need to - you'll review it when relevant and forget most of the rest of it. Along with everyone else.

I always had dumb dances and power poses to remind me of where things were, what they were called, what they did, etc. I looked dumb as hell during exams but I'll be damned if I didn't remember stuff lol