cardamom23
Full Member
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You got this. If you want ideas DM me. I was not a good student either and have found some strategies to help that may be of use to you!
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RANT HERE thread
Started by flyhi
apoptosis09
She/her • tOSU CVM c/o 2029
Literally me on my first anatomy exam:
And anatomy is one of my favorite subjects lol
Nothing really prepares you for not only the quantity of information you have to retain in vet school, but also the depth/detail you need to have to get a "good" grade.
The great thing about vet school is good enough really is good enough. Unless you're dead set on a competitive specialty, it's okay to do okay, and know that even just getting the minimum passing grade requires you to be a great student compared to undergrad.
Deadass I had a freak out after my mock lab exam. Immediately pivoted study methods to Anki (which I’ve never in my life used before) and then hauling my ass to the lab for group study with a smart lab partner.
This is the first time I’ve had true test anxiety where I could feel myself freaking out and had to self regulate mid exam. Anatomy is a BEAST.
I did talk to my profs after the exams were given back and although I did perform way better than I expected, they suggested 1) when learning the material, think big picture first then narrow on the tiny details. 2) group learning in the lab, ask each other random questions (what muscles would attach to this prominence, if this ligament was transected what would happen, what is the function of the muscle group that attaches here etc) 3) look over the following week’s learning objectives so you know what to hone in on when something is mentioned during lecture
This class is HARD! But many many people have done it before us, so we will all be alright too.
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supershorty
Don't look so vexed, toots.
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Anatomy friends: CSU's virtual anatomy was LIFESAVING for me when I was a vet student. I think it might cost money though (maybe not for vampy since she's a student there?), it was free when I was a student but that was a long time ago. But honestly, it's worth the money.
Other anatomy resources I've found helpful: UMN's dissection guide videos (free!), VIN has a virtual anatomy that's sort of useful (free!), and iMAIOS is another not-free one but it's fantastic. I don't know that I'd say it's necessarily worth the money for anatomy class when there are so many options out there that are free, but I use it a lot as a resident.
Other anatomy resources I've found helpful: UMN's dissection guide videos (free!), VIN has a virtual anatomy that's sort of useful (free!), and iMAIOS is another not-free one but it's fantastic. I don't know that I'd say it's necessarily worth the money for anatomy class when there are so many options out there that are free, but I use it a lot as a resident.
I think old man dog has a disc now
apoptosis09
She/her • tOSU CVM c/o 2029
I haven't used CSU's resource, but I can definitely vouch for the VIN anatomy and the UMN dissection guide! Myself and some classmates used the UMN photos to make quizzes and flashcards (since we can't take photos in anatomy) and it was a life saver for the exams
we do get it for free! i’ve been using it alongside studying since we don’t have much lab time nor are we fully dissecting (long story, new curriculum..)
vetflow has also been helpful but that’s a paid subscription as well, and UMN has been great!
apoptosis09
She/her • tOSU CVM c/o 2029
oof, that's news to me. I know a few schools use prosections only for anatomy for various reasons, but I'm a little disappointed that CSU has become one of them
yeah we are not dissecting tip of nose to tip of tail. we may dissect specific body systems but we’re not there yet in the curriculum. you can dm me if you’re interested in what we’re doing.
my first exam was on anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiology if that gives you any idea of what “biomedical building blocks” is
honestly, undergrad and vet school studying is like apples to oranges, and I think comparing yourself academically between the two just doesn’t work. They’re so different. the way I study in vet school is unlike anything I’ve ever done before.
I was really paranoid about vet school because I never seemed to be able to “learn how to study” in undergrad. I performed the about same all four years despite really trying to improve my grades. I was just not an “A+” undergrad student at all, which I was really trying to be for pre-vet.
Vet school has not been that experience at all. I definitely had the same experience of getting some surpisingly bad grades back, but the difference is I was able to turn things around and learn how to study. You will be SHOCKED at how quickly you can adjust. And the learning curve will get progressively less steep when it comes to figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Stay adaptable and be willing to try new things. especially the things you think “don’t work” or didn’t like from undergrad/masters, give them another try bc those have been the sleeper hits for me in vet school lmao.
My grocery bill has gone up 60% since moving from Texas to New York. That is insane. HEB, I miss you.
I don't usually like to talk to deeply about my personal life on the internet, but holy shirt balls has it sucked to suck this last week and I just need to let it out a bit. Going home this last weekend was not a good time and now my entire world is changing over night and I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed and I just don't quite know how I am going to get through it all. Especially since I really need to be able to change my rotations for a few blocks of my clinical year due to my new emerging situation and I was informed that it will probably take a lawyer notice to help move that mountain. I am also really scared that my life changes are going to alienate me from all friends I have managed to make just due to me having so much stuff going on. Not to mention the emotional turmoil going through me and those around me like a whirlwind.
Probably a cliche recommendation but try to open up to some of your friends instead of shutting them out. People may surprise you (hopefully in a good way). For people to be there for you, you have to let them in a little bit. And aside from those in person friends, you have lots of us here also 🙂
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Wanted to talk about frustrations with lawyer #1 in this post (I have 3 separate law firms at the same time and it's all new to me and I hope you guys will agree that it's understandable for me to think this is all too much because even 1 legal battle can be soul-crushing.) I wanted to vent about why I feel like the lawyer I'm paying thousands of $$$ for keeps coming across like a completely incompetent person, and I don't know how to fix this and get this person to please stop acting inept please. And actually working against me by doing things I didn't ask and also basically working for the other side. That's what makes me have a WTF moment in my head because it's completely stupid to pay for a lawyer who appears to work for the other side and echoes their arguments even when I showed proof of the lies.
Putting this in a quote block so someone doesn't accidentally quote me, but the downside is it makes the post harder to read and I'm afraid nobody will care.
I'm so grateful for y'all's time. My gut is wanting to replace my first lawyer, but I wanted you guys to at least tell me that it's okay to do that and it's the smart thing to do. I want to be believed when I say she keeps acting really out of her element, and it really confuses me since lawyers are educated and supposed to be super smart and aggressive. It's just super damaging when she echoes the lies of the other side and it makes me go "WTF" in my head.
I replied yesterday as professionally as possible but sort of thought out loud about me hopping on a flight to meet with her face to face just so she would stop misunderstanding me so we can be a team and be on the same page. But it may just be wiser to change lawyers even if that hurts her feelings.
If this is too long of a post, I'll happily PayPal people like $5 or something just to read through all that. I have no income/savings but I'm desperate for more feedback that I'm doing the right thing and that not all lawyers are created equal. I can also freely consult my time on a few things too instead of paying $$$.
Putting this in a quote block so someone doesn't accidentally quote me, but the downside is it makes the post harder to read and I'm afraid nobody will care.
No quoting for legal reasons said:
I'm so grateful for y'all's time. My gut is wanting to replace my first lawyer, but I wanted you guys to at least tell me that it's okay to do that and it's the smart thing to do. I want to be believed when I say she keeps acting really out of her element, and it really confuses me since lawyers are educated and supposed to be super smart and aggressive. It's just super damaging when she echoes the lies of the other side and it makes me go "WTF" in my head.
I replied yesterday as professionally as possible but sort of thought out loud about me hopping on a flight to meet with her face to face just so she would stop misunderstanding me so we can be a team and be on the same page. But it may just be wiser to change lawyers even if that hurts her feelings.
If this is too long of a post, I'll happily PayPal people like $5 or something just to read through all that. I have no income/savings but I'm desperate for more feedback that I'm doing the right thing and that not all lawyers are created equal. I can also freely consult my time on a few things too instead of paying $$$.
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miriam1216
Full Member
Got fired from my vet assistant job last week. There have been a lot of negative changes in the last few months, but they fired me for bs reasons (including me challenging the stupid changes they've made). I'm really embarrassed and mad and I just feel like I can't catch a break. I'm also really sad about not working with the vets anymore. I really loved most of them and they really helped me learn a lot.
The main upside was that it gave me four days straight to finish my vet apps, though, so I've been less stressed about that!
The main upside was that it gave me four days straight to finish my vet apps, though, so I've been less stressed about that!
@vampyrica I’m sure you’re disappointed, but things will be okay. You’re doing a new, very hard thing for the first time. And with a new curriculum to boot and make things even more difficult. Make some changes, get some help from available resources, and try some new study techniques. I almost failed out of first year too because of physiology and made it through by the skin of my teeth (literally passed by like 0.5%). It doesn’t mean anything about you as a person, and I have full faith you can do it next time!
Fire the 1st lawyer and hire an estate/probate lawyer who knows what they're doing. You aren't crazy, you just need an actual expert to help you.
Also @Stroganoff I don’t have any personal experience with a similar situation, but I agree that finding a new lawyer is reasonable if you’re not on the same page. Even if it’s just because of a personality clash it would be reasonable. You’ll spend some money getting a new team up to speed, but that’s probably better than feeling like you’re ‘wasting’ it on the current team.
If I remember correctly you’re getting assessed for ADHD soon, yes? It can make a huge difference to get the appropriate accommodations +\- medications. Everyone struggles with vet school, but you’ve got it extra hard if you’re trying to do it without controlling for the adhd processing differences. You’re really smart, just as smart as your classmates, and this one setback doesn’t have to be the end.
my assessment is next week but she told me i dont even have to take it because i fit the full criteria for ADHD, but if it would make me feel more comfortable, we can still do it. she called me after i frantically emailed her about my anxiety and just like ful blown melt down and she sent in a script for me to try, so let's see how this goesIf I remember correctly you’re getting assessed for ADHD soon, yes? It can make a huge difference to get the appropriate accommodations +\- medications. Everyone struggles with vet school, but you’ve got it extra hard if you’re trying to do it without controlling for the adhd processing differences. You’re really smart, just as smart as your classmates, and this one setback doesn’t have to be the end.
(Let me know if you don't want me quoting this btw! I'll delete the quote.)
I'm really sorry you went through this. You're not alone and please try to not necessarily internalize or take that BS personally, even if it's still a significant "Aaaaa!" or "WTF" moment with strong emotions. I've had a ton of entry level jobs and many of them are... dramatic **** shows but I was too desperate for the minimum or other low wage that I dealt with a lot of BS.
But yeah, challenging stupid changes messes with egos, retaliation and power games sometimes do their thing, blah blah.
Just sending good, happy energy and know that you're not alone. 💪
Thank you for this! It's still on the table, but she replied to my e-mail frustrations today with some [legal strategy things] and inside I'm thinking to myself "Friggin finally! That's what I've wanted this whole time!" So lots of typing tonight and gathering evidence and quotes and proof of lies so she can do her thing.
So can't replace this lawyer at the moment since I want this [thing] to happen to get us more information.
They do know what is going on. It's more of a fear of the continuing nature of my situation will start to wear on people after a point. Because it isn't a one and done, it's a change to my entire life. But I do know that is me projecting my fears out there and so far they have been supportive and understanding. I also have been having to talk to a lot more people (outside my friend group) than I normally do about very personal things and it is making me feel incredibly vulnerable when I would love nothing more than to pretend everything is fine.
you know what would be nice? If my boyfriend panicked the same way I do about the future.
He’s in law school it’s chill, but he’s not sure what law he wants to practice, and keeps saying he’ll just go work for his dad. I’ve made it clear multiple times that there are no equine jobs near his hometown. Unless I’m solo practicing which if I do, I should do an internship. That’s not my first choice career wise
Plus I’m not sold on an internship, when there’s racing jobs open in Kentucky. So I’m very conflicted about where to live and such, and he’s being no help.
I know I should just do whatever I want, but a major part of me is anxious about it because I do want to be married to him in the future.
He’s in law school it’s chill, but he’s not sure what law he wants to practice, and keeps saying he’ll just go work for his dad. I’ve made it clear multiple times that there are no equine jobs near his hometown. Unless I’m solo practicing which if I do, I should do an internship. That’s not my first choice career wise
Plus I’m not sold on an internship, when there’s racing jobs open in Kentucky. So I’m very conflicted about where to live and such, and he’s being no help.
I know I should just do whatever I want, but a major part of me is anxious about it because I do want to be married to him in the future.
Took the VEA today despite being sick as a dog. 240 questions took less than 2 hrs and I didn’t even have the wherewithal to go back and reread the questions and my answers on the second half like I tried to on my first. Feeling incredibly stressed that pharmacology and bacteria/parasites was soooo much of it because that’s the stuff I’m worst at. I’ve always been stressed about the NAVLE but now I feel like I’m never going to pass. I test horribly and am much better with clients and hands on application.
I know the answer is I have plenty of time to study, I’m not supposed to know everything yet, everyone has their weaknesses blah blah blah. Sick brain just doesn’t have the processing power to also emotionally regulate.
I know the answer is I have plenty of time to study, I’m not supposed to know everything yet, everyone has their weaknesses blah blah blah. Sick brain just doesn’t have the processing power to also emotionally regulate.
parasite_hound
New Member
Speaking from experience with both an ex-boyfriend who I was with for a long time and didn't know what he wanted in life and my husband (different person), who is very ambitious in his own career and also very supportive of mine, I'm sorry for the situation you're in, but also this sounds like a serious conversation is warranted.
I am not someone who's like "just trash the relationship and do what's best for you", because I'm a firm believer that having solid relationships is just as critical for happiness as a job. But also, you've worked very hard to be where you are and vet med will continue to be a very consuming career. It's not just a job you walk away from and stop thinking about at 5pm for most people. Life is give and take, and sometimes we have to compromise, but if marriage is the end goal, you definitely want to be with someone that has ambitions and supports yours too.
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I agree that it's worth a serious sit down over. You plan to move OOS, he plans to go back home. There's nothing wrong with either plan at all, they just aren't compatible. You either find a compromise or someone yields to the other entirely. If neither of you are willing to budge, you're at an impasse unfortunately. it sucks but both of you deserve to feel happy/fulfilled. I also agree that one needs that feeling in both career and personal life. The latter holds more weight for me generally, but being reasonably happy in your job really does matter for QOL
miriam1216
Full Member
Thank you 💕
We definitely are planning to have a conversation. It’s just hard when you’re the only one panicking because your end date of school is approaching faster than his.
day 1 on new meds update: are you telling me...there are people out there who do not have racing thoughts at all hours of the day...and that your brain can actually...be quiet?....😵😵😵😵
cardamom23
Full Member
It comes in waves for me depending on how much caffeine, lack of sleep I’ve had and pressures / expectations on myself LOL it fluctuates throughout the day. I am not on medication though
i normally crash by 1/2pm, and the rest of the day just sounds like charlie brown's teacher. today was so crazy different???? my primary concern was blocking out the noise i experience quite literally 24/7 (mind races from the moment i wake up, to the moment i go to sleep) and it leaves me so mentally exhausted. i didnt even have caffeine today because i was scared of combining it with the new medicine, and i was productive and getting things done with no nap from 10-10.
maybe this is just day one, or placebo but i may actually have a shot here!
cardamom23
Full Member
Sounds wonderful 🙂 I hope it continues to have a positive effect 🙏🏼
My mentor taught me how to do a steroid epidural and he got methocarbamol. Now he’s running around with his toy!
We got doggy stairs for the bed and the couch, currently trying to teach him to use them.
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GIGGGGGG!!!
@vampyrica does your new curriculum have an academic mentor/ coach program! We can make appointments to be coached on learning strategies, and it was super helpful! I’m so sorry your first exam was rough and so excited that you’re getting help! (PS I LOVE psychiatric medication it’s so so good)
we have built-in coaching into the curriculum, we only meet once a semester and it's less for academics and more for wellbeing. because we're on a new curriculum, we currently dont have many tutoring options available (we're learning things now that 2nd years will be learning in the spring, so it's very flip-flopped around).
i may ask to meet with the curriculum coordinator as well as they said they were our best POC for study tips and questions. but im also meeting student services folks to get more support
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New curriculum sounds hard too. We’re using PBL cases from the 90s😂
it's like pseudo-flipped classroom. we do pre-work which is doing a basic overview of the content at home, then the next day in class we go in more detail, and then after class we have post-work activities and assignments to reinforce our learning. i honestly really like it, but there's just so much information!
Okay my own rant. My stomach issues have gotten to the point where I basically have to go home, cancel everything, and lie down if I eat ANYTHING. Tuesday and yesterday I fasted all day and felt the best I’ve felt in months, despite being really hungry. Today I attempted raspberries and a protein shake and now I have to be horizontal for the rest of the evening. It’s so sad cause I love eating and the raspberries were really good.
have you been tested for allergies or food intolerances? do you take any medication? i've been on the same medicine for the past 4-5 years, and it will still cause me stomach upset if i do not follow my routine closely. tummy issues suck :c im sorry you're doing through this.
(it may be worth speaking with a gastroenterologist to make sure everything is going okay internally)
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I'm seeing a gastroenterologist in October for an endoscopy. They're very weird symptoms and no medication helps and my PCP could't figure it out. and I'm sick of it. I had to cancel tutoring on Sunday and Monday and had to leave class to throw up on Monday. ugh.
I don't know if this will be true for you, but I spontaneously got similar symptoms just before summer started about a decade ago. They eventually diagnosed me with stomach neuropathy. I'm on daily medication now and it has returned me to being able to eat and participate in life.
Why is a 5g bolus of Albon the size of my foot
First phone call with a potential practice after vet school didn’t go great. Just didn’t feel like they wanted an intern, so back to the drawing board
