Friday, September 21, 2007

A Long Week Closes

This week was week 5 and one of the longest weeks of the semester. We had our first anatomy test, which is the biggest deal here. All the teachers know we have it and make a big deal of it, the second year class takes us out for drinks after, and to top it off the exam was hard and 3 hours long. We got the lab results back that day and I did okay, not as well as I hoped but not too bad. The lecture portion was pretty rough and I never need to get that part back.

It was definitely a reality check to study a subject for 4 weeks and start preparing for the exam over a week before and still not feel prepared. The other quizzes, exams haven't been like that until now. I have to prepare a little differently this time. In the meantime the whole class is trying to catch up on all the subjects we set aside to study for anatomy. So the big question is how do we deal when in 2 weeks we have 3 exams in 1 week?

My hope is to catch up for good this week and review all topics as if the test was the next day. I also have 2 papers to write, which are small but take up time of course (what doesn't).

It hasn't set me at ease that I have heard many second and third years talk about failing tests and how hard stuff is. It does not get easier...yikes.

But here I am with my first anatomy test down and still alive. I know many people who bombed one test and are still vets (including my mentor), so there is hope.

I did learn this week that a 70 is a D, what kind of grading scale is that?!!

Anyway I am scared of mid-terms but preparing now and trying to be more time efficient than I had been but not at the expense of my workout regimen or taking some time for myself.

I am craving to watch some tv, however, which is a complete cliche in the life of a vet student. Sometimes you have to choose between tv or a nap? When given the option I usually opt for nap.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Unsure, but willing to try

I would call today a roller coaster day. I had a slight meltdown in the morning about my anatomy test next Tuesday and how my marriage will stay in tact with 4 years of seeing someone 28 hours per week, but after a run and some perspective from a friend I am motivated and energized. I am going to just take it day by day. Tonight I am making dinner then, limiting my free time to get to a good place in anatomy and try to relax. I have many study dates planned this weekend, and barely time to go to the football game, but I can't go to school during the game anyway so its a good reason to go.

We'll see how this all pans out. Not sure I'll pass the anatomy test but I'll study all I can and try. We all feel that way so I guess there's something to be said for that. I also have a paper to write, a presentation, and a quiz to take. I am also falling terribly behind in a few other subjects.

Ahh deep breaths, life as a vet student.

Monday, September 10, 2007

First cold, First exam

I caught my first, and probably not last cold of the year. I tried ignoring it but it took over on Saturday. So I was sick for my very first exam in Physiology. I'll let you know how it went, apparently the grades get posted very quickly here. While I am feeling better, I am definitely not 100%. I plan to go to bed early this week. I think I may have overdid it last week, trying to stay up later to study more while everyone in class was sick. I can't compromise sleep and save the immune system.

Despite being sick it was a fun weekend. Kicked off with the April 16 memorial concert featuring John Mayer, Nas, and Dave Matthews. Friday night Matt got to meet my new vet school friends as we took on the town of B'Burg. Saturday I struggled to deny my sickness and study all morning. The afternoon broght BBQ and fishing a stock pond nearby with some friends. Matt caught a fish on his very first cast...then nothing thereafter.

Sunday was once again hard to see Matt leave, but I just may have to accept it won't get easier but possibly more manageable. I set up a support network and studied for physiology with friends at the greatest coffee shop (Mill Mountain Coffee).

The moral of this story is to stay healthy, not compromise my sleep, and keep on studying...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

The Heart of the Matter

For my true fans out there, it is probably clear from the lack of communication that the semester is well underway, right about now. The transition is becoming easier, I have made some great friends already, and I have my first exam this Monday 9/10 in physiology. For those that know me from college or high school, yes I am already stressed out about this test. In fact anxiety began exactly one week before the exam (lovely). The ironic part is I am in the top 10% of my class in terms of being laid back...hard to believe? It is for me as well, but its great solidarity. We all have good and bad days and have been supportive of each other.

The first football game kicked off last Saturday, also marking my first tailgate as a student Hokie. We won, but not by as much, nor did we play as well as expected. Nonetheless a good time! (at least we didn't pull a Michigan)

Matt and I hiked the very popular Cascades Fall trail in the Jefferson National Forest on Sunday. It was a beautiful day 75 and sunny, and no humidity.

Today we began dissection on a large animal, either horse, cow or goat. We will be doing the same dissection as we have done thus far on the dog on the larger animal and noting the differences. The horse is always the outlier. Since I have the largest dog in the class, I opted for the goat (less work=less fat picking). I must say though, that the horse and cow are pretty neat to examine.

As I sat in lab among giant cow, horse and goat cadavers it hit me that I am starting to really enjoy this, despite the countless hours of studying. Having some friends and a good study network has helped. Seeing Matt last weekend and tomorrow also helps!

So tomorrow is the big tribute concert for April 16 featuring Dave Matthews, Nas, and John Mayer, and some rumored surprise guests. As a vet student I have class right up until the concert, but its a good excuse to take a night off.

As a last note for now, last night was my first late night. I studied in a group from 7-10, after getting out of class at 5:15. Then I came home and studied until 12:30. Note that the latest I have stayed up all semester on a school night has been 11pm. Now you may be thinking that I stayed up later because that I had class later today, and yes I did. I didn't have to be there until 10am today, however, I awoke at 7am sharp and began studying again. That's the difference from college when I rarely awoke before 11am.

And as I finish this blog I will begin a stringent evening/afternoon of diligently studying. This is truly the life of a vet student. Some days its painful, some days are really difficult and seem impossible, and some days like today you're tired, stressed, missing your husband and cats, but the passion rises to the surface just enough to smile through it.