Questions, concerns, comments...oh my!

[UKYWildcat]

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This may seem like an odd thread to some, but I'm wondering what everyone elses' concerns, worries, etc are as the school year approaches. Having just gone through my orientation packet and still waiting on supplemental loans to come through I'd say that my biggest fear is money, plain and simple. Yikes. It *almost* makes me wish I'd chosen my state school. Not that I didn't think about that through the whole process, but I guess now it's really hitting me 🙂 I'm worried about moving away from my support system and the people I love. I'm dreading moving because it's a big pain! I'm also concerned about how much time I should try to take off before schools starts. I had put my resignation in for 2 1/2 weeks before school started so I'm actually slated to teach through that time...and now I'm wishing/thinking I should have taken more time off to have some fun!!!
Other than that...oh, there's always the "Am I going to flunk out?" "Holy crap can I really do this?" "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" 😎 Now I can't be the *only* one that feels this way!
The upside? Holy crap, in four years it's all going to be over!! Whoohoo!!! 😀

 

[almostglue]

My biggest concern is that fact that I haven't even gotten my orientation packet yet! Not only is UGA slow on accepting people, they're slow on letting you know what comes next. I'm just trying to figure out when my first day is! My other big thing is not knowing anyone yet, but that'll come when I get to school. I'm one of those that likes all the pre-planning and getting everything set, like schedule, books, etc. and so far I have no information, so that alone is scary.

Overall I'd say I'm excited and ready to get started. Resigned to the fact that I won't have too much of a life outside of school, but I'll have my fellow classmates to commiserate with. And every time I get bummed during the year I'll be able to think about the fact that I'll be a vet in 4 years, and that is awesome.

 

[sms25]

"Am I going to flunk out?" "Holy crap can I really do this?" "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"

I feel the exact same way, but I guess if they didn't think we could handle it they wouldn't have accepted us (that's what I keep telling myself). I'm very nervous because I'm moving from upstate New York to Alabama-- without my hubby. I'm just trying to enjoy myself when I'm not working. Does anyone else feel this summer is going by at warp speed?

 

[mammalmama]

I'm very nervous about moving to Colorado. I will be moving there in August. My last day at work will be July 1st so I have plenty of time to pack up and move. Luckily Colorado puts all their orientation stuff online so that they don't need to bother with sending out a packet. They are pretty quick about stuff too. I'm worried about leaving my support system here in California. Sometimes I worry about if I'll get so home sick that I'll drop out of school and come home. I keep telling myself that this is my dream and I am going to make it through just fine. I can't wait to start vet school. It'll be a lot of work but it'll be a lot of fun.

 

[weeziefive]

I am not sure if this will make anyone feel a tad bit better. But I am moving across the world to Australia and have to be there July 17th. I will be away from family, and will have to pack enough clothes until my return in November. And airports dont let you bring much so its going to be fun. At least my friend also got accepted and is going with me (makes it a whole lot easier). But I can tell you that I am so exctied and scared at the same time. Its a great feeling. Im still waiting to get private loan approval (yippy) so I know what that anxiety feels like, believe me.

 

[mojito]

I feel the exact same way, but I guess if they didn't think we could handle it they wouldn't have accepted us (that's what I keep telling myself). I'm very nervous because I'm moving from upstate New York to Alabama-- without my hubby. I'm just trying to enjoy myself when I'm not working. Does anyone else feel this summer is going by at warp speed?

Auburn or Tuskegee?

 

[sms25]

Auburn or Tuskegee?

Tuskegee

 

[lizzie-dvm]

My first concern is moving. I'm 29 and just feel too old to be packing up and leaving al lmy friends and family behind and starting over. And I'm an absolute New Englander moving to the midwest. To say nothing of the expense, the hassle, the cats, how do you move two cats?? All things to figure out. 🙂 At least they aren't horses.

And the second concern is the money. I'm leaving a lucrative job behind and it's just such a risk! Very exciting, though.

Liz

 

[dvm2009]

Hello almostglue! I am an incoming 2nd year at UGA so I know what you are going through as I was in your position last summer..I can tell you tentatively what your first day will be though..As far as I know, 2nd and 3rd year students start back to classes on August 14 so 1st year students will probably have orientation on August 15-16 and first day of classes will be Thursday, August 17...so now you can start your lists, etc...I know it is hard but my best advice to you and all incoming 1st years is to enjoy your summer, don't agonize too much and get ready for an exciting and challenging year🙂 Take care and congrats!

My biggest concern is that fact that I haven't even gotten my orientation packet yet! Not only is UGA slow on accepting people, they're slow on letting you know what comes next. I'm just trying to figure out when my first day is! My other big thing is not knowing anyone yet, but that'll come when I get to school. I'm one of those that likes all the pre-planning and getting everything set, like schedule, books, etc. and so far I have no information, so that alone is scary.

Overall I'd say I'm excited and ready to get started. Resigned to the fact that I won't have too much of a life outside of school, but I'll have my fellow classmates to commiserate with. And every time I get bummed during the year I'll be able to think about the fact that I'll be a vet in 4 years, and that is awesome.

 

[dvm2009]

Hello again, almostglue! I just looked on UGA CVM website and discovered that they changed things around a little this year for you guys and freshmen orientation will be Aug 10-11, whitecoat ceremony will be Sun. Aug 13 and 1st day of class will be August 14...Sorry for the confusion!!

Hello almostglue! I am an incoming 2nd year at UGA so I know what you are going through as I was in your position last summer..I can tell you tentatively what your first day will be though..As far as I know, 2nd and 3rd year students start back to classes on August 14 so 1st year students will probably have orientation on August 15-16 and first day of classes will be Thursday, August 17...so now you can start your lists, etc...I know it is hard but my best advice to you and all incoming 1st years is to enjoy your summer, don't agonize too much and get ready for an exciting and challenging year🙂 Take care and congrats!

 

[Boxsterluv]

I'm worried about money of course, and the cross-country move... I know my fiance and I will be fine, but I'm worried about the cats. We have a car carrier big enough for both of them, and a harness and leash for each of them, we've started to practice the whole, riding in the car carrier and stretching the legs while on the leash thing, and it doesn't really work out so well.... I'm worried that they'll hate us/be sick by the end of it!! I've read a lot about moving them, but I feel like I can't do enough to make it a smooth transition for them.

 

[traxomatic]

not only am i moving from my home that i love in philadelphia to ohio, i'm getting married and buying a new house all at the same time! i'm so excited about everything but so stressed too. i'm also concerned about driving 8 hours with 2 cats! does anyone have good tips?

 

[vet2b84]

I was wonder what current veterinary students think about working while in school. I thought someone had posted on here about working, but I couldn't find it. I qualified for work-study, but would still need to make another couple thousand dollars over the course of the year. I have always worked while in school, but I was curious about the amount of work that vet students will need to do outside of class. I am assuming a lot of reading and studying, but what about written type work. I am going to Ohio State so current OSU students may know more about there, but any info would be helpful...thanks.

 

[lilhmbrg]

For a couple of years in vet school, i was able to work about 7-10 hours per week. look for other out-of-the-box opportunities also. a friend of mine tutored algebra for a classmate's daughter and got paid as well as other perks (the girl watched her cat and plants when she was on externship, etc). don't forget pet-sitting your classmates' pets. at davis whenever anyone needed a petsitter they would email all four classes and weekly there would be about 2-3 opportunities.
of course, some quarters regular work was not possible (such as those fun times when we had tests every monday and friday). senior year, forget it. if you have ANY spare time (haha) you need to be reading up on topics and cases for rounds. but making a couple thousand a year over the first couple years should be easy, especially if you work over the summer.
good luck!
nora

 

[francesca91]

not only am i moving from my home that i love in philadelphia to ohio, i'm getting married and buying a new house all at the same time! i'm so excited about everything but so stressed too. i'm also concerned about driving 8 hours with 2 cats! does anyone have good tips?

Hi,
I came from Italy, nine hours flight + check-in and out = about 15 h., with my 6 months old kitty in a carrier. I was terrified at the idea of torturing him like this but I was'nt even able to live him forever.... when we finally got home he was perfectly fine!! A little thirsty, but not dehydrated, and bored of corse!
The day after he was running after a squirrel from dawn to dusk,just like anything happened.
Good luck
Francesca

 

[Ranger7]

Ugh, what about those "highly reccommended" rabies vaccinations? My options are all nearly $200 X 3 injections.

My school also says that laptops are highly recommended but not required. I'm guessing I should probably get one. Has anyone found a good laptop for school. Lenovo (new IBM Thinkpads) looks nice. However, I'm a bit of a gamer and want a little more oomph, so I can kill things on wi-fi while relaxing in a coffee shop after a rough day.

 

[MonkeyJunction]

You're going to need a good pda(handheld) with wifi too, loaded with Mercks and other stuff

 

[Vet2be2012]

This is a great thread for me! I have a lot of worries! The first one is, did I make the right decision about where I am going to since it will cost more than anywhere else? I want to relax and take time off when I graduate, but I can't since I will be in some big time debt! Also, what am I going to do with my cats? I have 5 cats, and 3 of them are over the age of 10. I am worried about them, and taking them to the UK is not the best thing at their age and moving them into a small, possibly studio, apartment, since they are used to a 4,400 square foot house! Also, what am I going to do with the 3 cats I am fostering right now in France? I have to take them to the US and place them there since I have had no luck here! Also, another worry is how often to come back home so I can see my family, friends, and most importantly, my cats? The plane ticket is about a $1,000 and I can't afford to pay this too often, lol It's definitely not easy, but we will get through it. At least I don't get home sick too often so I am not too worried about that! After all, I have spent the last year in France!