All the pieces are sliding into place, I can't believe how steep the learning curve has been these past 2 and a half years and that I am actually looking forward to how much steeper it will get. A lot of people who read my blog want to know what it's like to be a veterinary student - which can be very hard to describe at times. Well I will tell you right now, it's never easy - you are constantly trying to improve yourself and understand disease processes, clinical signs, while learning about the process of science and the latest discoveries. In addition to being a walking encyclopedia of knowledge and numbers - you need to be able to communicate with others. You will have owners wanting you to explain things in "lay terms" so that they can understand their pet's ailment. You will have to work with them to establish an affordable, appropriate treatment plan and find a way to train them that you need to follow-up on that plan. I find this part most difficult and as a client myself - I try to save money too. But I've learned that it's important to get routine health checks and follow up on any treatments - in the long run it saves you money.
Just so you can understand the "pieces" I am talking about sliding into place, I have 5weeks left of winter quarter. Only 10 weeks of spring quarter - which means in 15 weeks - I will start clinics! I will make the transition from student to clinician in training. No more multiple choice exams - but I will be quizzed daily on my knowledge and abilities. I will be taking national board exams in November 2013 - Only 9 months away! Just today I got my account with Zuku to study for the NAVLE. If anyone is interested, they have tons of free practice questions that you can review - they also do a daily email question - I love these and have been receiving them since I started my undergraduate courses at UC Davis. Its never too soon to start.
Link to Zuku Daily Question Archive
Being a veterinary student is an amazing opportunity and although the job outlook is scary - and frankly, I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life, I'm still happy I pursued it. I am achieving my dream of becoming a veterinarian and I am thankful I'm studying at one of the nations top schools. During lectures with clinicians that are literal masterminds - I am constantly reminded of how much I don't know and the the little that I DO actually know.
Last night, I had my animal CPR lab and although I've never taken a human CPR course - I have the general idea of the principal of the ABC's and how defibrillators work. But last night I learned more about CPR as it specifically relates to animals. I was able to work through several of the scenarios by applying my understanding of basic physiology, clinical experiences, and working with my teammates. As I led one of the scenarios - I realized how difficult it would be to make decisions that matter if the patient lives or dies and it was scary. After the lab I realized that I shouldn't be scared, we are faced with life or death situations in our patients every day. The lab really pieced together a lot of what I've learned and allowed me to apply myself to a stressful situation that requires fast thinking. Everyday I need to appreciate what I do know and strive to learn what I don't.
I am not a person that has a photographic memory - I learn best by doing - using what I learn in real life situations. I always find that I need to review things that I don't use very often.
475 days until graduation according to my countdown widget.
Just so you can understand the "pieces" I am talking about sliding into place, I have 5weeks left of winter quarter. Only 10 weeks of spring quarter - which means in 15 weeks - I will start clinics! I will make the transition from student to clinician in training. No more multiple choice exams - but I will be quizzed daily on my knowledge and abilities. I will be taking national board exams in November 2013 - Only 9 months away! Just today I got my account with Zuku to study for the NAVLE. If anyone is interested, they have tons of free practice questions that you can review - they also do a daily email question - I love these and have been receiving them since I started my undergraduate courses at UC Davis. Its never too soon to start.
Link to Zuku Daily Question Archive
Being a veterinary student is an amazing opportunity and although the job outlook is scary - and frankly, I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life, I'm still happy I pursued it. I am achieving my dream of becoming a veterinarian and I am thankful I'm studying at one of the nations top schools. During lectures with clinicians that are literal masterminds - I am constantly reminded of how much I don't know and the the little that I DO actually know.
Last night, I had my animal CPR lab and although I've never taken a human CPR course - I have the general idea of the principal of the ABC's and how defibrillators work. But last night I learned more about CPR as it specifically relates to animals. I was able to work through several of the scenarios by applying my understanding of basic physiology, clinical experiences, and working with my teammates. As I led one of the scenarios - I realized how difficult it would be to make decisions that matter if the patient lives or dies and it was scary. After the lab I realized that I shouldn't be scared, we are faced with life or death situations in our patients every day. The lab really pieced together a lot of what I've learned and allowed me to apply myself to a stressful situation that requires fast thinking. Everyday I need to appreciate what I do know and strive to learn what I don't.
I am not a person that has a photographic memory - I learn best by doing - using what I learn in real life situations. I always find that I need to review things that I don't use very often.
475 days until graduation according to my countdown widget.
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