Keeping Relaxed?

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So I know the term "relax" is foreign to us Pre-vetters, but how is everyone keeping their cool while waiting for interview notices? I'm taking 23 credit hours this semester (@_@ normal system too, Community College + Full load at University) so during the week I'm so busy I don't have much time to worry. But this weekend, I've had some downtime and have checked all of my evaluation sites like...16 times.

^^'' I've upped my volunteer hours at a local equine rescue, we just received 5 new horses, one in bad shape, but I still can't help worrying over the vet school thing!

P.s. Anyone know a good way to get rid of rain rot? The mare I am working with has an absolutely horrid case of it. She's covered in scabs from topline to belly. I'm using Shapley's MTG so far, picking off the dead scabs that I can and disinfecting any sores she has...she's also on Uniprim for an infected hip wound...

 

[GellaBella]

Well, like you I'm also taking a heavy course load this semester...27 credits! However 10 of them are for my research so it isn't so SO bad.

I work probably 50-60 hours per week in lab and I'm really trying to hussle to get done with this research so that keeps me busy most of the time.

I'm also continuing to shadow a vet 2 days a week.

And I try to make sure I get a run in 2-3 times a week, although I need to start bumping that up more (thinking of maybe doing a marathon in the spring, but maybe thats just crazy).

but no matter what people keep asking me if I've heard back from schools yet, when i'll hear back, what my first choice is , etc etc so I do think about it a bit.

I know the time will fly by though so I'm really trying to stay focused on work. For the most part its all out of my hands now anyways

 

[causticus]

I actually find target shooting really relaxing. Nothing like popping off a few rounds to relieve the stress! (Kind of expensive though, so I don't get to do it nearly as much as I'd like).

 

[BlacKAT33]

I read or do craft projects. This weekend i spent the whole time making my halloween costume I'm so excited for halloween!!

 

[Sophie10]

Dancing! There is nothing like going out and dancing to 80s music to help me relax. I agree on Halloween.. YAY!!!!!

 

[Martee527]

I was gonna post the same question!! Keeping relaxed has been difficult! I have been working a ton and reading non-academic books to keep my cool. There are also so many movies out that I want to see....going to the movies always makes me happy!

 

[BlacKAT33]

I was gonna post the same question!! Keeping relaxed has been difficult! I have been working a ton and reading non-academic books to keep my cool. There are also so many movies out that I want to see....going to the movies always makes me happy!

where the wild things are!!!

 

[xStormWarningx]

I'm a combat mental stress with hard physical labor kind of person. I have been out to my local horse rescue three days in a row this last week 😱, I bet the barn owner is somewhat confused (I can usually only make it out there once a week). I've spent 3-4 hours a day scrubbing down a horse covered in rain rot, then putting on this medication that smells like rotting bacon. But it's satisfying for some bizarre reason! *laughs*

Causticus, I've never been shooting! What's it take to go try it?

Anyone else like exercise or know of some good sports? I was thinking yoga, but that sounds like it would just give me more time to worry!

 

[jpeterman13]

where the wild things are!!!

that movie was so sad. now paranormal activity...that will definitely make you forget about your vet apps.

 

[BlacKAT33]

that movie was so sad. now paranormal activity...that will definitely make you forget about your vet apps.

yea i saw that too, it was good! i thought they ended it nicely. i was waiting the whole time wondering how they were going to end this without ruining the movie by a bad ending

When i was in line, these 16 yr olds asked if my bf and i could by them tickets lol cuz they were too young. Omg i tried so hard not to laugh but i still let out a giggle. it brought me back to when i was young and wanted to go into R movies without an adult (lol soo long ago) we ended up doing it for them cuz we felt so bad for them, it was just 2 boys alone lol awww and you could tell they are the geeky type that doesnt get girls... YET i just wanted to be like dont worry ull be super smart and flooded with girls once ur in college!

 

[rileyroo]

that movie was so sad. now paranormal activity...that will definitely make you forget about your vet apps.

i have heard SO much about paranormal activity. probably still not gonna see it though lol. however, i do wanna see where the wild things are.

as for stress relief - i love reading!! i just started a new book and i would love to skip out on classwork and research for a week to just read the entire book cover to cover! 😀

i'm also traveling a lot for the holidays b/c my parents live 4 states away so i'm trying to get those plans set before it's too late. anyone know where 2009 went? how is it already october 26??

and planning a research trip to africa in may -- so i'm trying to get that stuff lined up.

that's keeping me busy. 🙂

 

[badcats]

Watch the part of Legally Blonde where the admissions committee is going over her app and laugh. "She's a friend to the animals as well as a philanthropist."
And run.

 

[sofficat]

hmmm.... what to do to relax.... let's just say it rhymes with benihana...

 

[DVMDream]

that movie was so sad. now paranormal activity...that will definitely make you forget about your vet apps.

I saw paranormal activity too...I laughed through it. I also saw stepfather that was good. I have also seen the invention of lying which was bad and couples retreat which was hilarious.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I saw paranormal activity too...I laughed through it. I also saw stepfather that was good. I have also seen the invention of lying which was bad and couples retreat which was hilarious.

lol glad to know i'm not the only one watching a lot of movies recently. I saw zombieland which was funny and law abiding citizen which i also thought was good. and in the end i found myself awkwardly wanting more deaths to happen because it was so cool how he planned the events haha

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

How to stay relaxed? Fridays after the week is done ( these have been long weeks), tequila!

I'm kidding but one in a while is nice. Biking and riding my horse keep me sane but I'm just enjoying sitting on the couch and channel surfing once a week. Lame!

 

[RatherBEventing]

I usually go out dancing at clubs! Dancing always de-stresses me...and I would say working out and riding too. Although if I have a bad ride it kinda makes my day worse 🙁
I have to say that probably my biggest de-stresser is shopping though! for some reason spending money (that I don't have very much of, haha) really makes me happy! I think its just different for everyone, although I have read that exercise helps with stress so you should try a new sport! Or you should see if that horse rescue you volunteer at would let you exercise their horses...just turnout is not enough usually and I'm sure it would be much easier to adopt out rideable horses with good ground manners.

For rain rot, I learned in class that if you can, shave the hair off the affected area (without causing too much pain! It helps to put lube over the hair first because then the hair doesn't get stuck in the open sores) because the organism that causes it doesn't like oxygen, and then wash it with betadine or nolvasan. I wouldnt recommend putting on any other ointments though because it likes moist enviroments..just keep washing with the betadine or nolvasan and pick off scabs as painlessly as possible..which is almost impossible because its painful to pick them off. Make sure the stall is dry and the horse is not being turned out in muddy conditions!
heres a good site http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthRainRot.shtml

youre so lucky theres a horse rescue close by! I wish we had a closer one to our school..the only one I know of is an hour away

 

[oilidigigoat]

I'm not a huge TV person..but I have gotten really into The Office. All the reruns come on TBS and I just laugh at all the stupid things Michael Scott does. Laughing make me feel so much better. 😀

 

[Pomona2006]

I would advise anyone and everyone applying to vet school to make sure you have good non-vet related outlets set up before you start school. Once you get here, it's very hard to start getting into the habit of doing things to de-stress.

I personally love to cook and bake on a regular basis and exercise by way of swimming, skiing, and rock climbing. Because I was doing these things regularly before I came to Davis, I am more easily able to keep these habits up. I would highly suggest working on cooking and exercise habits - because when you're at school - you need to eat and exercise to maintain your sanity! Plus your classmates will love it if you share your culinary creations and you'll probably be able to get some people to join in on exercise with you if you're already set in a habit.

When I was at this point in the process last year, I know I felt pretty good - I knew that my apps were in but there was nothing I could do until invites started going out. Given that we have a very good idea when those invites are sent out, it's best to accept the fact that there is NOTHING you can do to change whether or not you get an invite or not. Just work on developing healthy life habits, getting more experience, and good grades so that when you show up for those interviews, you will be sure to impress!

 

[nyanko]

I don't like to relax, because when I'm relaxed is when I stress out the most.

I guess my coping techniques are physical, like a few others here. I play ice hockey, get lost on my bicycle and lift weights, mostly.