Suggestions on items to prepare for first year?

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And how many GB do you think is sufficient? I guess I can always save stuff to a portable hard drive and delete from the ipad if it ever becomes a problem
I have the 256 I think? It was the middle size when I was buying one. Nowhere near full and I have all my notes automatically backed up to google drive. I probably could’ve gotten the 64 and just deleted stuff off after this year since it’s all on my google drive.
 
I just ordered a Surface Go and have been looking into the different kinds of screen protectors (tempered glass, plastic, self-healing, etc.) Does anyone have any input/suggestions on this?
Idk if they make it for that product (because I have apple stuff), but I love the brand Zagg. Lifetime warranty on their stuff, all you have to pay is $5 shipping to you and then send the old one back to them (free return shipping)
Personally I don’t like the feeling of glass protectors and use a self-healing one from Zagg. It’s plastic and military grade and I usually don’t have problems with them ripping, just sometimes get dust and stuff under the edges after like a year on my phone.
 
I usually just print out my powerpoints and write on them but I feel as though I should be transferring to something electronic to save paper.

My vet med bestie hand wrote all her notes on printed out power points during class. If that's a system that works for you, go for it and recycle your notes when you graduate.

And how many GB do you think is sufficient? I guess I can always save stuff to a portable hard drive and delete from the ipad if it ever becomes a problem

I bought a terabyte hard drive on Amazon for $60. Brilliant past-Bats move.
 
And how many GB do you think is sufficient? I guess I can always save stuff to a portable hard drive and delete from the ipad if it ever becomes a problem
SSDs are expensive and external storage (whether a hard drive or cloud storage) is cheap and accessible. Depends on what iPad you're looking at but my laptop is 254 and it's about half full (without even culling a lot of stuff). if you do lots of graphics stuff or want tons of apps, you may need a lot of storage but otherwise, not so much. I dont know what model you're considering or what iPads even go up to these days
 
Notability for sure.


Get the biggest one you can. I just finished second year and my 64 GB is full.
my god,
SSDs are expensive and external storage (whether a hard drive or cloud storage) is cheap and accessible. Depends on what iPad you're looking at but my laptop is 254 and it's about half full (without even culling a lot of stuff). if you do lots of graphics stuff or want tons of apps, you may need a lot of storage but otherwise, not so much. I dont know what model you're considering or what iPads even go up to these days
Ill use my phone for apps, the ipad will be strictly for school (or at least that's the plan). So just notes, pictures of any lectures or lab stuff and maybe my planner app on there. Otherwise i'm going to keep my "personal" stuff on my laptop and phone. 64 should be enough? maybe 128?
 
my god,

Ill use my phone for apps, the ipad will be strictly for school (or at least that's the plan). So just notes, pictures of any lectures or lab stuff and maybe my planner app on there. Otherwise i'm going to keep my "personal" stuff on my laptop and phone. 64 should be enough? maybe 128?

The only thing I have on my iPad is notes and some pictures. 64 is not big enough. Between 1st and 2nd year I have over 1000 powerpoints/notes in notability.
 
my god,

Ill use my phone for apps, the ipad will be strictly for school (or at least that's the plan). So just notes, pictures of any lectures or lab stuff and maybe my planner app on there. Otherwise i'm going to keep my "personal" stuff on my laptop and phone. 64 should be enough? maybe 128?
I think it really depends on how you plan to use it. I would probably opt for 128 though. 64 sounds like a big stretch and it's not something you can upgrade after the fact
 
I dislike that since it's not free, but I make my own :shrug:
I'm rounding out the end of my YNAB trial. I like the software - when it works. 1 of my accounts does not consistently import which is a pita - so I'm not going to subscribe now

I should probably make my 13-year-old (i.e., older than ____ 😛 ) spreadsheet a template for others to use.
Did you actually make a template? 😍
 
I'm rounding out the end of my YNAB trial. I like the software - when it works. 1 of my accounts does not consistently import which is a pita - so I'm not going to subscribe now


Did you actually make a template? 😍
@Stroganoff I'd be interested in hear what feature you have anyways. I made a basic one that works for me but still like to hear other ideas
 
Did you actually make a template? 😍
@Stroganoff I'd be interested in hear what feature you have anyways. I made a basic one that works for me but still like to hear other ideas
I'll see what I can do. If anything, I'll take screenshots of each tab then censor the personal stuff then talk about different areas and functions and maybe copy and paste the formulas.
 
If anything, I'll take screenshots of each tab then censor the personal stuff then talk about different areas and functions and maybe copy and paste the formulas.

I would also greatly appreciate this!!
 
Just a courtesy FYI that this might take a bit of time, so it depends when I get around to it. (I don't like stringing people along so figure I'd better say something!) I'll post results in the Finance thread in the Lounge. I'm thinking of buying TechSmith's Snagit software to better be able to take screenshots without scrolling, and I'm also wondering if it would just be easier/faster to screen record my spreadsheet, blur out the personal stuff, and upload the presentation as a video instead of taking a bazillion screenshots and typing endlessly to describe everything.
 
Just a courtesy FYI that this might take a bit of time, so it depends when I get around to it. (I don't like stringing people along so figure I'd better say something!) I'll post results in the Finance thread in the Lounge. I'm thinking of buying TechSmith's Snagit software to better be able to take screenshots without scrolling, and I'm also wondering if it would just be easier/faster to screen record my spreadsheet, blur out the personal stuff, and upload the presentation as a video instead of taking a bazillion screenshots and typing endlessly to describe everything.
Whatever you have time for is awesome, I wasn't expecting something so detailed but it's awesome you want to do that!
 
Does anyone use Evernote? I've been looking into it a little bit and am trying to decide if it would be helpful
 
Does anyone use Evernote? I've been looking into it a little bit and am trying to decide if it would be helpful

Haven’t tried Evernote, but I use Notability and love it. But I also have a separate physical paper planner to keep track of due dates and make a study schedule and stuff.
 
Anyone have suggestions on things that are helpful beyond 1st year? I'm thinking (way ahead), mostly about clinical year. I know a watch of some sort, really good/comfortable shoes, and a better stethoscope. I may also need to buy a car (lol). But what else??
Any super useful textbooks you use commonly in practice or throughout your vet career? The only book I have actually purchased is the path book. Idk if plumb's or something like that is something I should invest in.
ty in advance


Also for people talking about back stuff earlier, def check out if your insurance covers it. Pretty sure mine does cover some massage therapy and I am super stoked!
 
Anyone have suggestions on things that are helpful beyond 1st year? I'm thinking (way ahead), mostly about clinical year. I know a watch of some sort, really good/comfortable shoes, and a better stethoscope. I may also need to buy a car (lol). But what else??
Any super useful textbooks you use commonly in practice or throughout your vet career? The only book I have actually purchased is the path book. Idk if plumb's or something like that is something I should invest in.
ty in advance


Also for people talking about back stuff earlier, def check out if your insurance covers it. Pretty sure mine does cover some massage therapy and I am super stoked!
I know my practice back home uses Fossum's SA surgery often-I'd wait til later to get it though as they're always updating that one. They take emergencies though and sometimes are the only option for people for hours so we get to do cool things that require reading before doing. There's also an exotics book with good drug dosages that I can't remember right now....
 
I know my practice back home uses Fossum's SA surgery often-I'd wait til later to get it though as they're always updating that one. They take emergencies though and sometimes are the only option for people for hours so we get to do cool things that require reading before doing. There's also an exotics book with good drug dosages that I can't remember right now....
Oh yeah we totally gifted that to a vet today in Costa Rica! and my prof told me I will use the book extensively. good reminder ty
 
I know my practice back home uses Fossum's SA surgery often-I'd wait til later to get it though as they're always updating that one. They take emergencies though and sometimes are the only option for people for hours so we get to do cool things that require reading before doing. There's also an exotics book with good drug dosages that I can't remember right now....
Carpenter's exotics formulary? Or more of an exotics text? I use the formulary frequently. I have Plumb's on my phone, but they don't do exotics well. Quesenberry for a small mammal text. I do use Fossum's before doing surgeries I don't do often. And I like that radiology atlas with juvenile rads so I have a reminder of what's normal when the shelter brings me broken kittens of varying ages. I don't know that the atlas would be useful 4th year, but it's useful to me in practice.
I liked having a differential diagnoses book 4th year.
 
Carpenter's exotics formulary? Or more of an exotics text? I use the formulary frequently. I have Plumb's on my phone, but they don't do exotics well. Quesenberry for a small mammal text. I do use Fossum's before doing surgeries I don't do often. And I like that radiology atlas with juvenile rads so I have a reminder of what's normal when the shelter brings me broken kittens of varying ages. I don't know that the atlas would be useful 4th year, but it's useful to me in practice.
I liked having a differential diagnoses book 4th year.
Yeah I think carpenter's formulary is the one!
 
Anyone have suggestions on things that are helpful beyond 1st year? I'm thinking (way ahead), mostly about clinical year. I know a watch of some sort, really good/comfortable shoes, and a better stethoscope. I may also need to buy a car (lol). But what else??
Any super useful textbooks you use commonly in practice or throughout your vet career? The only book I have actually purchased is the path book. Idk if plumb's or something like that is something I should invest in.
ty in advance


Also for people talking about back stuff earlier, def check out if your insurance covers it. Pretty sure mine does cover some massage therapy and I am super stoked!
I'm just getting ready to start too so I don't have lots of input here, but I can speak on shoes! I have scoliosis and have to be careful about what I wear if I'm going to be on my feet a lot. I've been wearing Allegria nursing shoes to work for about 5 years now, and I love them! They're a little pricey, but I still have the first pair I bought, and you can buy replacement inserts for them when they start to wear out (minimal cost compared to a whole new pair)
 
Yeah I think carpenter's formulary is the one!

If you’re goin to be doing small mammals, get the Quesenberry pink book. Drug doses in the back 🙂 I actually search VIN a lot for drug doses since the formulary can have a big range for drugs and I’d prefer an experienced-based rec :shrug:
 
I'm just getting ready to start too so I don't have lots of input here, but I can speak on shoes! I have scoliosis and have to be careful about what I wear if I'm going to be on my feet a lot. I've been wearing Allegria nursing shoes to work for about 5 years now, and I love them! They're a little pricey, but I still have the first pair I bought, and you can buy replacement inserts for them when they start to wear out (minimal cost compared to a whole new pair)
I was just looking at these shoes yesterday also! As well as the Birkenstock ones. I tend to prefer a shoe with not a lot of heel drop. What style of these shoes do you go for usually?
 
Anyone have suggestions on things that are helpful beyond 1st year? I'm thinking (way ahead), mostly about clinical year. I know a watch of some sort, really good/comfortable shoes, and a better stethoscope. I may also need to buy a car (lol). But what else??
Any super useful textbooks you use commonly in practice or throughout your vet career? The only book I have actually purchased is the path book. Idk if plumb's or something like that is something I should invest in.
ty in advance


Also for people talking about back stuff earlier, def check out if your insurance covers it. Pretty sure mine does cover some massage therapy and I am super stoked!
I like having my little nurse propack, especially for large animal rotations since we don't wear white coats. Pens and highlighters, bandage scissors, things like that. Also used it on small animal ER.

I have a small collection of exotics/zoo textbooks but if you're going to be going into small animal practice I don't think you really need to worry about acquiring textbooks just yet. A book of differentials and/or something like the nerdbook is useful for clinics. I also use plumb's, Merck, and VIN on my phone quite a bit.
 
I'm thinking (way ahead), mostly about clinical year. I know a watch of some sort, really good/comfortable shoes, and a better stethoscope. I may also need to buy a car (lol).

1) start looking at super externships now, and getting on the list. I'm thinking the zoo and big name spay/neuter externships. One zoo I'm going to could only fit me in for two weeks because they were already full up on 2020 and mostly full in 2021. I emailed him Christmas break of 2018.

2) I would hold off on a better stethoscope until you're actually in practice. 4th years in my program do just fine with the bare minimum.

Any super useful textbooks

I haven't bought any class textbooks except anatomy. Instead, i got Merck Vet Manual for Christmas last year and I used that instead. I wish I had gotten it sooner. I'd also like a Plumb's and Carpenter's. But I've acquired a ton of textbooks for free through our school librare as digital copies. We're literally talking 50+ books. So I would look into that as well for now. Then any books you really want for practice, get the physical copy.
 
1) start looking at super externships now, and getting on the list. I'm thinking the zoo and big name spay/neuter externships. One zoo I'm going to could only fit me in for two weeks because they were already full up on 2020 and mostly full in 2021. I emailed him Christmas break of 2018.

2) I would hold off on a better stethoscope until you're actually in practice. 4th years in my program do just fine with the bare minimum.



I haven't bought any class textbooks except anatomy. Instead, i got Merck Vet Manual for Christmas last year and I used that instead. I wish I had gotten it sooner. I'd also like a Plumb's and Carpenter's. But I've acquired a ton of textbooks for free through our school librare as digital copies. We're literally talking 50+ books. So I would look into that as well for now. Then any books you really want for practice, get the physical copy.
1. I'm more interested in small animal. I'm interested in specializing so I'm not really sure how to go about choosing externships. Hopefully at some point I will get more info about this process through my school, but I was also thinking about making a thread about this, prob in the veterinary forum. It's all pretty confusing and stressful for me, ngl
2. I don't have the best ears and the stethoscope we were given isn't the best of quality. I'll play this by ear though.
 
1. I'm more interested in small animal. I'm interested in specializing so I'm not really sure how to go about choosing externships. Hopefully at some point I will get more info about this process through my school, but I was also thinking about making a thread about this, prob in the veterinary forum. It's all pretty confusing and stressful for me, ngl
2. I don't have the best ears and the stethoscope we were given isn't the best of quality. I'll play this by ear though.
Externships are sooo confusing, I've been bugging everyone I know about them. You're best resource is your upperclassmates for how to go about them because a lot of schools are different. As for which ones you should choose, I think the best bet is to consult with whatever specialty at your school you want to do and ask advice from a clinician there. I feel like each specialty is different. Which specialty were you interested in?
 
1. I'm more interested in small animal. I'm interested in specializing so I'm not really sure how to go about choosing externships. Hopefully at some point I will get more info about this process through my school, but I was also thinking about making a thread about this, prob in the veterinary forum. It's all pretty confusing and stressful for me, ngl
2. I don't have the best ears and the stethoscope we were given isn't the best of quality. I'll play this by ear though.

It still wouldn't hurt to get your name on those lists sooner rather than later. Some small animal specialty hospitals in the Denver area have a two year waiting list, plus some extensive requirements (like being at a certain class rank at two locations I've looked into).

I brought up the spay/neuter externships because every small animal vet and 4th year I've talked to were super appreciative of doing the externships cause it made them more comfortable with surgery and more efficient. Granted, thats also because at my school, the students aren't doing the surgery on their surgery rotations. They assist, but at most that's placing a pin or something on that level.

Edit: I realized my idiot self didn't respond to picking what externships you should be checking into. My bad!

Coop is 100% right. Talk to current 3rd and 4th years. If yall have an intranet, log into the 4th year stuff to see how its set up and kinda get a feel for it.if there's a location you want to go to during 4th year, look for externship sites using the state's VMA website and honestly just cold emailing them. The worst they can say is no! 🙂
 
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@ziggyandjazzy if you’re interested in specializing, I would absolutely look into summer jobs in your field of interest now and setting up rotations at locations you might want to do a residency in. Networking is a big deal, and the sooner you start the better it will be for you 🙂

Also, as a cautionary tale- I was set on specializing and didn’t match and ended up in GP. It would have been great to have a few more of the less specialized rotations under my belt (surgery like bats mentioned is a big one!)
 
@ziggyandjazzy if you’re interested in specializing, I would absolutely look into summer jobs in your field of interest now and setting up rotations at locations you might want to do a residency in. Networking is a big deal, and the sooner you start the better it will be for you 🙂

Also, as a cautionary tale- I was set on specializing and didn’t match and ended up in GP. It would have been great to have a few more of the less specialized rotations under my belt (surgery like bats mentioned is a big one!)
That's the info I've been told. I guess I'm not sure how I know whether a place would be somewhere I would want to intern at. Just look on VIRMP and see their match rates, etc?What about academic facilities? My school doesn't have a neurologist and that's something I am very interested in. My parent's dog sees an IM vet and I was thinking of emailing them to see if I can shadow. I'm also going to be part of IM club board next year so that should be good. This summer I am spending part of it doing One Health research in Costa Rica so not super applicable but it has been very fun thus far 🙂

I'm lucky in that everyone at my school does a rotation at OHS where we do a minimum of 30 surgeries or something like that. Our school allows a lot more surgery experience than others. There's also a busy ER clinic in Portland I was thinking of trying to do a rotation at. Philly also has a rotation at the national greyhound adoption agency (mostly doing dentals and surgery) which I would love to do!

How do people pay for all of these things?! More loans? A job? I'm currently applying to a job in SA rehab
 
I agree with TRH, a mix of tings is good, especially if you’ve already made good progress in your field of choice. I did 7 weeks split between three clin path externships but also spent 4 weeks with mixed practice GPs back home. I definitely learned more practical vet med in those four weeks than at my school GP rotation. I also visited the place I ended up matching for my internship during spring break third year.
 
I agree with TRH, a mix of tings is good, especially if you’ve already made good progress in your field of choice. I did 7 weeks split between three clin path externships but also spent 4 weeks with mixed practice GPs back home. I definitely learned more practical vet med in those four weeks than at my school GP rotation. I also visited the place I ended up matching for my internship during spring break third year.
They only allow a max of 8 weeks of externships and it makes me sad. I want to do GP rotations and I want to do the specialty/potential internship rotations and everything in between.

That's the info I've been told. I guess I'm not sure how I know whether a place would be somewhere I would want to intern at. Just look on VIRMP and see their match rates, etc?What about academic facilities? My school doesn't have a neurologist and that's something I am very interested in. My parent's dog sees an IM vet and I was thinking of emailing them to see if I can shadow. I'm also going to be part of IM club board next year so that should be good. This summer I am spending part of it doing One Health research in Costa Rica so not super applicable but it has been very fun thus far 🙂

I'm lucky in that everyone at my school does a rotation at OHS where we do a minimum of 30 surgeries or something like that. Our school allows a lot more surgery experience than others. There's also a busy ER clinic in Portland I was thinking of trying to do a rotation at. Philly also has a rotation at the national greyhound adoption agency (mostly doing dentals and surgery) which I would love to do!

How do people pay for all of these things?! More loans? A job? I'm currently applying to a job in SA rehab
Fo paying, yes more loans lol. I'm hating it currently because I'm trying to figure out the prices to fly around and maybe if I stack them together I only need to fly one way to save cost?
 
They only allow a max of 8 weeks of externships and it makes me sad. I want to do GP rotations and I want to do the specialty/potential internship rotations and everything in between.


Fo paying, yes more loans lol. I'm hating it currently because I'm trying to figure out the prices to fly around and maybe if I stack them together I only need to fly one way to save cost?
Oh, that sucks. We had to leave campus for 6 weeks and had the option for 12, not counting vacation rotation. That does make it harder.
 
Oh, that sucks. We had to leave campus for 6 weeks and had the option for 12, not counting vacation rotation. That does make it harder.
I'm splitting between one shelter/high volume spay & neuter, one (maybe two) academic where I might be interested to intern, and two (maybe one) private practices I may be interested in interning at or doing a residency. Depends on who has what open and if they'll take me on the dates I requested I guess. Hopefully I get everything I want but I still wish I could do more GP things. Luckily I volunteer monthly at essentially GP clinics for vet students that we run to provide free veterinary care for under served communities in our area. I'm hoping GP is somewhat like those places and that counts lol.
 
That's the info I've been told. I guess I'm not sure how I know whether a place would be somewhere I would want to intern at. Just look on VIRMP and see their match rates, etc?What about academic facilities? My school doesn't have a neurologist and that's something I am very interested in. My parent's dog sees an IM vet and I was thinking of emailing them to see if I can shadow. I'm also going to be part of IM club board next year so that should be good. This summer I am spending part of it doing One Health research in Costa Rica so not super applicable but it has been very fun thus far 🙂

I'm lucky in that everyone at my school does a rotation at OHS where we do a minimum of 30 surgeries or something like that. Our school allows a lot more surgery experience than others. There's also a busy ER clinic in Portland I was thinking of trying to do a rotation at. Philly also has a rotation at the national greyhound adoption agency (mostly doing dentals and surgery) which I would love to do!

How do people pay for all of these things?! More loans? A job? I'm currently applying to a job in SA rehab

Shadowing is great, but if you can get a job as a tech with them or with a neuro center over one summer that would be awesome. I’m sure @nyanko can speak more to the neuro-y stuff but it wouldn’t hurt to get in at another school with their neuro rotation (if possible) or try to rotate at a place that offers a residency. With most specialities, they’re going to want you to do a small animal rotating internship (or two...) anyway so trying to find a place that has a caseload for your future interests would be good 🙂
 
I'm splitting between one shelter/high volume spay & neuter, one (maybe two) academic where I might be interested to intern, and two (maybe one) private practices I may be interested in interning at or doing a residency. Depends on who has what open and if they'll take me on the dates I requested I guess. Hopefully I get everything I want but I still wish I could do more GP things. Luckily I volunteer monthly at essentially GP clinics for vet students that we run to provide free veterinary care for under served communities in our area. I'm hoping GP is somewhat like those places and that counts lol.
How do you you do externships at academic places? Or where are those opportunities listed?also, what are you interested in specializing in? 🙂
Shadowing is great, but if you can get a job as a tech with them or with a neuro center over one summer that would be awesome. I’m sure @nyanko can speak more to the neuro-y stuff but it wouldn’t hurt to get in at another school with their neuro rotation (if possible) or try to rotate at a place that offers a residency. With most specialities, they’re going to want you to do a small animal rotating internship (or two...) anyway so trying to find a place that has a caseload for your future interests would be good 🙂
By work as a tech do you mean unpaid summer intern? 😳 I'm not sure I have really seen summer jobs listed at places like this but of course I don't know where I should be looking lol
 
How do you you do externships at academic places? Or where are those opportunities listed?also, what are you interested in specializing in? 🙂

By work as a tech do you mean unpaid summer intern? 😳 I'm not sure I have really seen summer jobs listed at places like this but of course I don't know where I should be looking lol

Ideally paid, haha. Not all places will be advertising but asking to see if they have any shadowing opportunities then casually see if they’d pay you to be there. It doesn’t have to be a neuro center specifically but many large hospitals will have neuro as one of their services and you could spend some extra time there meeting people etc.

Or google variations of “vet student neurology summer” :laugh:
 
They only allow a max of 8 weeks of externships and it makes me sad.

We only get 6 weeks free choice (not counting our 8 weeks off). We can technically get an extra 6 weeks, but it has to be specifically LA, lab animal, or equine. 🙁
 
We only get 6 weeks free choice (not counting our 8 weeks off). We can technically get an extra 6 weeks, but it has to be specifically LA, lab animal, or equine. 🙁
boo. I did quite a variety as far as my extracurriculars. In hindsight I would have chosen some differently, but I am still happy in the end. I am catching up still on some GP skills since I did specialty here and there, but nothing some determination doesn't overcome deficiency in the end.
 
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