What is the hardest part of Vet school?

[wivet2011]

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i take it all back. 😛

with 4 cumulative exams/finals in the next two weeks... i wanna die. vet school is hard hard hard!!

Are you guys finishing up already? No fair!!

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

My favorite week in particular was


Bacteriology Exam Monday 8 am, class/lab till 7 pm
Radiology Exam Wednesday 8 am, class/lab till 5pm
Pharmacology Quiz Thursday, 8 am, class/lab till 5 pm
Pathology Exam Friday, 8 am , class till 3/lac pm

And for all those days, when I got home, in addition to studying I was organizing a shelter food drive, answering lab question, and doing statistics problems to do for my research stat class. I barely had to to walk my dog, let alone sleep or relax.

Oh wait. Almost every week is like that🙄

Yes. You must keep your grades up. Because *gasp* some employers actually *look* at transcripts (outside of the normal clinician areas). And if you want a residency (which you will if you want to go into surgery or a speciality, etc) you need at least a 3.5, more like a 3.8-4.0 for the popular ones like surgery and opthalomogy.

By far the hardest thing is the volume of information. Want to join clubs? Great. You need to figure out how to work that in outside your normal 8-5. Social life? Same deal.

Oh, and putting up with the load of people who treat everyone else like underlings because of their overinflated egos - you get a lot of people that that in veterinary and medical school. The maturity level can sometimes drop dramatically in such a small, competitive environment.

 

[pressmom]

My favorite week in particular was


Bacteriology Exam Monday 8 am, class/lab till 7 pm
Radiology Exam Wednesday 8 am, class/lab till 5pm
Pharmacology Quiz Thursday, 8 am, class/lab till 5 pm
Pathology Exam Friday, 8 am , class till 3/lac pm

At least you're ready for finals week! 👍

Here at UTK we have 10 gross anatomy quizzes plus a midterm and a final--so that always has you in the lab, under the GA gun. That's in addition to everything else--5 physio exams, 10 bac-t assignments (oh and a paper) plus a midterm and final in there, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Electrophile]

Vet school is hard. I will absolutely say this right now...vet school (and med school if there are any lurker pre-meds in here thinking about vet school too) is harder than grad school and WAY harder than undergrad. I was under a LOT of pressure my last semester of grad school writing up and defending the thesis, but I'd trade it for this. In grad school, you have to take maybe one or two hard classes at a time (like endocrinology or biochemistry) unless your adviser is just plain evil. This is 4-5 hard classes at a time. In grad school, you are usually expected to be there 9-5 or 6 PM most days working on your research, teaching, etc, but at least when you go home for the day, you can usually relax a little bit. Not in vet school. Time to hit the books for a few hours or feel guilty not doing so. However, I do want to make sure my marriage doesn't go down the drain and my dogs aren't neglected, so I don't study nearly as much as a lot of folks who are single. I'm also interested in mixed practice holistics, so I have to join about every club 🙄 and I've got 2 jobs that amount to ~8-10 hours a week of my time.

I am getting by with Cs and I could give a crap. 😀 I will likely do better where it's more what I'm interested in, but anatomy in particular is a harsh, bitchy taskmaster. Physiology ain't much better. Speaking of which, I've got an anatomy test tomorrow...why am I talking with you guys?!? EEEK! 😱

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THANKSGIVING! 👍👍👍

 

[dyachei]

At least you're ready for finals week! 👍

Here at UTK we have 10 gross anatomy quizzes plus a midterm and a final--so that always has you in the lab, under the GA gun. That's in addition to everything else--5 physio exams, 10 bac-t assignments (oh and a paper) plus a midterm and final in there, etc. etc. etc.

Come on now, its only 8 bact. assignments. But yeah, I feel the pain from gross anatomy now.

 

[chris03333]

All I have to say is TOLD YOU SO...

😆


Sorry had to do it. You will get through it and laugh also I promise

 

[sofficat]

Are you guys finishing up already? No fair!!

2 more weeks until thanksgiving then we get a whole week off!! 😀

after that it's only two more weeks plus a few days, but the exam load will actually be less.
so... is the first semester the hardest? please?

 

[sofficat]

Vet school is hard.
However, I do want to make sure my marriage doesn't go down the drain and my dogs aren't neglected, so I don't study nearly as much as a lot of folks who are single. I'm also interested in mixed practice holistics, so I have to join about every club 🙄 and I've got 2 jobs that amount to ~8-10 hours a week of my time.

I am getting by with Cs and I could give a crap. 😀 I will likely do better where it's more what I'm interested in, but anatomy in particular is a harsh, bitchy taskmaster. Physiology ain't much better. Speaking of which, I've got an anatomy test tomorrow...why am I talking with you guys?!? EEEK! 😱

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THANKSGIVING! 👍👍👍

word times 10.

 

[critterfixer]

anatomy in particular is a harsh, bitchy taskmaster.

Preach it! My god, I can't express to you the joy I feel in only having a pretty major physiology test tomorrow, followed by a whole entire week of problem based learning!

To not have any anatomy lectures or quizzes means I only have to spend a couple of afternoons in the lab and maybe an hour a day reviewing to keep up for next week's quiz. I am so freaking happy it's ABLE week!

And now, back to cardio-physiology.

 

[Electrophile]

See, I wish my school did PBL. I don't think we do any at all, at least not formally, which is rather pathetic considering our med school came up with the whole thing. We do some clinical correlates, which is cool, but I want more, dang it! It helps me see a light at the end of the tunnel instead of wanting to cry for hating my cadaver because its pelvic limb didn't get hardly any blue latex in its veins, so I'm going to really suck it up tomorrow on the practical. Ugh, I hate anatomy. Intrinsically, I like it, but I hate the massive amount of memorization that you straight up forget afterwards. Us behaviorists and nutritionists don't need that crap! Ah well, off to bed so I can feel sorry for myself.

😴

 

[Angelo84]

See, I wish my school did PBL. I don't think we do any at all, at least not formally, which is rather pathetic considering our med school came up with the whole thing. We do some clinical correlates, which is cool, but I want more, dang it! It helps me see a light at the end of the tunnel instead of wanting to cry for hating my cadaver because its pelvic limb didn't get hardly any blue latex in its veins, so I'm going to really suck it up tomorrow on the practical. Ugh, I hate anatomy. Intrinsically, I like it, but I hate the massive amount of memorization that you straight up forget afterwards. Us behaviorists and nutritionists don't need that crap! Ah well, off to bed so I can feel sorry for myself.

😴

At least you have latex--we just have blood clots! Good luck on your anatomy exam I'll be taking mine 12-5 today as well.

 

[mochavet]

I'm feeling everyone's pain. Here at Murdoch we are in our last week of classes then we have a study break and two weeks of finals left. They were not nice to us first years as we have our anatomy and physio final theory exams on the same day (which is the first day of finals and is on a Saturday no less). Then we get one day off and a final everyday until Thursday. All I can say is thank god for study breaks! After these three weeks, I will be able to officially say that I am a 2nd year vet student. Yay!!!!! Good luck everyone!

 

[PiddlingFish]

"What is the hardest part of vet school?"

Getting in.

. . . and now I'm crying. 🙁

 

[RockStarKDub]

This thread makes me want to vomit. lol!

 

[rexosaurus]

agreed

 

[wivet2011]

Now, come on... vet school is not that bad! Sure no one's dog has latex in its legs, and mine is a little, well, under-preserved, and greasy. But it's still tons of fun spending hours looking for little vessels that turn out to have been destroyed:cry:Question though... is it normal to have "Magic School Bus"-like dreams of traveling through your anatomy dog's GI tract 2 days before the exam? I think I spent too much time in the lab 😱

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Magic School Bus!! Oh no...I didn't now, but now I will 😉 Now I am going to be humming the theme song all through necropsy rounds.

 

[ratbandit]

Now, come on... vet school is not that bad! Sure no one's dog has latex in its legs, and mine is a little, well, under-preserved, and greasy. But it's still tons of fun spending hours looking for little vessels that turn out to have been destroyed:cry:Question though... is it normal to have "Magic School Bus"-like dreams of traveling through your anatomy dog's GI tract 2 days before the exam? I think I spent too much time in the lab 😱

YES!!!! Every night before an anatomy exam I sleep in 1/2 REM and review in my sleep, it's so weird!!!

 

[Vet2be2012]

I thought I would introduce my schedule at the University of Glasgow. I personally am unable to go to class from 9am to 5pm 5 days a week. I can't stay awake during lectures. I won't share how many lectures I skip, however, lectures pretty much are optional as they don't take attendence.

Our schedule changes every week, somewhat confusing. But generally, Mondays: 9-12 then 2:45-5:00 lecture, anatomy, biochem, animal husbandry
Tuesdays: 9-10 lecture, 1:30-4:30 farm, animal husbandry
Wednesdays: varys every week, but usually no more than 2 hours
Thursday: 9-1 and sometimes 2-4, Lecture, physiology and biochem
Fridays: 9-12 then 1:30-5:00, 2 hour lectures, rest anatomy lab

I go to all practicals as they're very important. I study a lot during my time off. We're very fortunate because we only have tests 3 times a year. 85% of our grade in each class is in May. There are exams before Christmas and before easter, worth a total of 15%. The Uk system is quite different in grading too. It's just based on a pass/fail basis. I heard of people who basically passed and have gotten excellant internships/residency's in the US. Also, I must mention that our program has a built in internship, which is our last year, so I was told we're not required to do an internship after we graduate. We can go straight onto a normal job as a vet. Just a something to think about. I think quite a few of the AVMA accredited schools work this way. However, I was told that the ones in Australia and New Zealand do not work this way. And is there a lot of homework? NO! We just got our very first homework assignment, which is in physiology, 100 questions and then another 100 questions. We have to complete our lab paper, but that's all we've had in all courses. But I still don't feel we have time for a job. Some people may be able to better manage their time, however.

 

[Electrophile]

The Uk system is quite different in grading too. It's just based on a pass/fail basis. I heard of people who basically passed and have gotten excellant internships/residency's in the US.

See, that's what I wish it was like in the States. I think a lot of people would not be nearly as stressed out as they are and would be better for learning for the sake of learning. I wish it was mostly PBL pass/fail. 😀 As far as grades being important for internships and residencies, if you just barely get by all the way through, you probably aren't going to go for a super hardcore surgical or neurology or whatever residency anyways. But that's just me.

 

[Angelo84]

I like the pass/fail grading. I wouldn't be so happy about one exam being 85% of my grade!

 

[Hollycozza]

Also, I must mention that our program has a built in internship, which is our last year, so I was told we're not required to do an internship after we graduate. We can go straight onto a normal job as a vet. Just a something to think about. I think quite a few of the AVMA accredited schools work this way. However, I was told that the ones in Australia and New Zealand do not work this way. .

Aussies and Kiwis are certainly qualified to work as "normal vets" at graduation. As far as doing internships, I can't speak for NZ but in Australia hardly anyone does internships, its mostly straight into private practice.

 

[laurafinn]

our program has a built in internship, which is our last year, so I was told we're not required to do an internship after we graduate. We can go straight onto a normal job as a vet.

If my understanding is right, all AVMA-accredited vet schools, in the US and abroad, have clinics -- either working in the vet hospital, going out on farm calls or externships/seeing practice -- during the last year of study, so nowhere is an internship after graduation required. Most NZ vet students go straight into private practice.

 

[Pair8tor]

The hardest part of Vet school still lies ahead. Repaying the Loans😱

 

[InfiniVet]

Yeah, I've actually figured out why the admissions process is so difficult.

It's to make sure you are just the kind of idiot who is stupid enough and stubborn enough to sign up for 4 years of hell.

Its not that the material is hard...no,no. Its the absolute sheer self sadistic torture you put yourself through to barely keep your head above water in your classes. The curriculum doesn't teach you knowledge - it teaches you how to think. Which theres no way to study for that but yet the only way to train yourself to think differently is to study everyday to the point of literal exhaustion. For me personally I've reached a whole new level of caffeine abuse, and if I really want to indulge in a Friday night of partying (read: go to sleep at 7pm and wake up 10am Sat morning) then that means I will slave-ishly study hard alllllll day Saturday.

When I close my eyes I see slides of Vaginal cytology burned into my retinas, when I eat I see pathways of nerves and lumps of lymph nodes. Gross anatomy has ruined BBQ for me because the formaldehyde is too close to the slightly vinegary smell of chopped beef brisket. I don't listen to music anymore, I don't read non-vital-to-my-GPA-emails, certainly don't return anyone's phone calls, haven't had my hair cut or my car's oil changed this semester, watching Grays on a thursday night has taken on a whole new level of fantasticness.

Oh yeah and I've started making up words.

But it's so worth it. Worth every second. And I love it, love every day of vet school!

 

[seaturtlegirl]

Ahhhh, InfiniVet. You have me laughing aloud. It is as if you pulled the thoughts directly from my muddled mind! You truly are a funny, funny human.

 

[wolfpacktwirler]

I'll be honest, it sucks to be under so much stress all the time, but I signed up for it! It is sucky to wait to find out if you got in anywhere, but once you get in, the stress takes on a whole different life. You have to figure out how you're going to balance having a pet, budgets, studying, having social relationships with any of your old friends, and if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, you'll definitely at least spend one night defending the large amount of time you spend on studying vs. how much time you spend with them. It's worth it though, because the release when you finally get to go out is awesome. Our class goes out together a lot and we party a lot, but no one is drowning in school work. It just takes a month or so to get used to the volume of information you should know. My advice - learn what you can, you won't learn it all, so don't even try. Take advantage of tutors if the school provides them, because if the night before an exam you can't figure out what something is, that tutor will be much more willing to help out than the professors.

Stick together as a class, so that if anyone starts to fall behind, the whole class will be there to support and show the administration that you don't want to lose one of your classmates. It really does have an impact, at least at NCSU. I definitely recommend spending one day a week for yourself and your other commitments, it will help a lot. 😛

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

The hardest part of vet school is memorizing around 70 drugs by name, their site of actions, clinical applications, adverse effects, and interactions, for a pharmacology final that I have tomorrow. Bitter eh? Some are no-brainers like penecillin, but then you get...Isoxsuprine! Pilocarpine!Procainamide! Isoprotenerol! Oooo and don't mix those alpha 1 agonists with those cardiac glycosides! Or those phenothiazines with the opioids for emesis control! Eeeeekk......

 

[cyrille104]

The hardest part of vet school is memorizing around 70 drugs by name, their site of actions, clinical applications, adverse effects, and interactions, for a pharmacology final that I have tomorrow. Bitter eh? Some are no-brainers like penecillin, but then you get...Isoxsuprine! Pilocarpine!Procainamide! Isoprotenerol! Oooo and don't mix those alpha 1 agonists with those cardiac glycosides! Or those phenothiazines with the opioids for emesis control! Eeeeekk......

Yup I heard pharm blows. But then again, it all blows. I really doubt that any vet student REALLY thought the coursework would be as hard as it is now when they were applying. (Note to all pre-vets: it really IS that difficult. be prepared.)

 

[pressmom]

Yup I heard pharm blows. But then again, it all blows. I really doubt that any vet student REALLY thought the coursework would be as hard as it is now when they were applying. (Note to all pre-vets: it really IS that difficult. be prepared.)

Agreed! 👍