Sometimes in life, you get a RE-DO

I will be the first to admit to my blog readers that I'm NOT perfect. I struggled through my first Renal Physiology Exam on body fluids. I actually didn't pass it, I got 67%. The examination policy for the course states that any part of the exam with a score of less than 70% must be re-examined. 

I think this is a wonderful grading policy for many reasons. I was not at my best that day I took my exam, I actually had a large bout of "test anxiety." I had studied the material, but found it difficult to piece together. On the exam, I froze at some of the questions, I knew the material, but something inside me made me feel like I didn't. To top it off, I actually ran out of time on the exam, which has never happened to me in any veterinary exam. I wasn't the only one though, there were several people turning in their test as our next professor was preparing for the following lecture. 


Thankfully, I met with the professor to discuss my poor results on the exam. I told him that grades are important to me, however, what is more important is that I understand the material so I can become a great veterinarian. I told him that I would like to meet with a tutor a couple times and become more confident with the material. Then he pointed out in the syllabus that any score below 70% required a re-test in any portion of the course. As you may assume, I was very upset with myself for my low exam score, but thankfully I had a chance to make it right and could only better understand the material. 


Within one week of the exam, I re-took the exam (not the same one, but strikingly similar) and I was much more confident in my knowledge about the material and sound in my choice of answers. 


I think it is often difficult to stick what we learn in our veterinary curriculum into a multiple choice format. It is also difficult for every professor to adapt to all their student's learning and test taking styles. 

All I know that someday when I am a practicing veterinarian, my patients will not come with choices A,B,C,D, or E, they will be puzzles that I must piece together through my physical exam findings, patient history (from owner), and presenting complaints.

I think what I have learned from this experience is that I just need to do my best and trust myself, have confidence in the knowledge I spend many hours studying and trying to comprehend. Don't get down on yourself because you struggle, that won't really help you overcome it.

Dream Big! But know your true self!