Before talking about the events that transpired today, a little more about my veterinary experience. I was actually enrolled in the program last fall (2007). I was in the program for a little over 2 months and realized I was really in over my head. I had taken the minimum of science requirements to gain entrance to vet school over a long time period at night while working full-time - not ideal. Plus I took the classes at, shall we say, challenging school. Coming into vet school, I never had a physiology course, a cell biology course nor an anatomy course. I spent just as much time learning physics as I did basic biology. Last fall I realized I rushed things too much just so I could get into school. On day one, the physiology professor asked us 'does anyone not know what oxytocin (or some other hormone) is?' Meakly I raised my hand, expecting others to also. Nope, I was the only one. I felt like a loser then the professor tried to provide an explanation to me in front of the class and, to me, it all sounded like 'blah blah blah blah blah.' She went way too fast and I was still mortified that I was the only one that had raised my hand. Anyway, the first class of vet school in the first 10 minutes I quickly realized I was starting at a much lower level than anyone else. So after gaining 25 pounds (I'm a stress eater), and trying to purserve I decide after those months to withdraw and at least get half my tuition for the semester back.
Since that time, I have taken a lot of courses to prepare me for this fall. And for all you aspiring vet students, I would absolutely recommend taking 1. Medical Terminology, 2. an Anatomy class and 3. as many physiology courses as you possibly can. At least that would have helped me the most. I actually liked Histology and did okay in that course as I liked looking at all the little, cool things under the slide. I'm a geek.
Back to today, this blog probably isn't the best on the web but I have limited patience writing and reviewing this with so much other things going on. Today was our blue coat ceremony (#2 for me, 2 coats! Well worth the tuition). The blue coat ceremony is one that welcomes you to the veterinary field. They call your name, a professor puts on your blue coat, they take pictures then, the best part - you get to eat! The ceremony was nice. My mom came down again which was sweet.
Tomorrow is the start of class, right at 8 a.m. My schedule for tomorrow is:
8-9 GI Physiology
9-12 Histology and lab
1-4 Anatomy and lab
I know what to expect so we'll see how it goes.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Here we go
This is my first blog so forgive me if it is boring and provide me with any feedback you'd like. This blog is about my adventure down the path to becoming a veterinarian.
First a little background. I am a 37 year old non-traditional student. I am making a transition from finance into the medical field. I worked for 12 years at the Chicago Board of Trade doing a variety of non-interesting (for the most part) work. People ask me 'Why are you switching careers?' Well there are many reasons. After working in the corporate world, I realized it wasn't for me. I was tired of the 9 to 5 (well often 10 to 3, ooops) way of life. I was tired of sitting in a cube, working for poor managers, doing non-rewarding work and feeling my life was being wasted in the pursuit of a paycheck and good benefits. I read stories all the time about people's goal of retirement. For a while I subscribed to this point of view, stashing away as much as I could in my 401k looking forward to retirement even though it was years away. Constant magazine covers 'Retire Early,' 'How to Reach Your Retirement Goals' etc.... I realized that my life shouldn't be geared toward retirement. I don't want to work in a boring job, wasting my life to look forward to my retirement. I want to do something interesting, something I look forward to every day (well most days), something I can actually do part-time during retirement because I like it so much.
People ask me 'Why Vet Med?' Obviously I like animals a lot. I like their innocence. I like their ability to forgive. To be by your side unconditionally. To have something to look forward to when you go home to an empty home without anyone in your life. They provide a nice comfort when I feel lonely. So I really care for them, they fascinate me. Their behaviour, the differences in personalities, their obsession with food even, it's funny. They amuse me, they sit by my side while I watch my cheezy TV shows that I like so much (Judge Judy, Scare Tactics, Nip/Tuck and my all-time favorite - SUPERNATURAL!), there's so much to like about an animal, a lot I cannot describe. So I like vet med because it provides me with a chance to help them. It provides me an opportunity to volunteer at shelters providing treatments. It's just an opportunity and challenge to improve their lives, even though they cannot appreciate it or understand that you are trying to help them. As I've experienced with my scratch marks and my first dog bite the other day.
But own of my main reason going into this field is I enjoy helping people. Because my 3 cats (yes, I am a crazy cat lady) mean so much to me, I appreciate what they mean to others. I work at a clinic and we have older ladies coming in with their pets. They love their pets and I'm sure some of them are lonely because they are by themselves. Maybe their husband passed away, maybe some of their friends did also. Their pet means the world to them. And I must admit, of all the clients at the clinic I work at, I am weakest towards senior citizens.
Pets also provide kids with learning opportunities. How to raise and care for creatures. Any way, if you've made it this far I am sure you can relate to some of what I have said. Hopefully I haven't bored you to death.
I am attempting to write this blog to tell you about my upcoming veterinary school education. To explain the difficulties and the triumphs. To just provide you with insite into what goes on at my school and in my mind. Hopefully to help you out if you are embarking on a career or exploring a career as a veterinarian. More on everything later. I hope you had a good day.
First a little background. I am a 37 year old non-traditional student. I am making a transition from finance into the medical field. I worked for 12 years at the Chicago Board of Trade doing a variety of non-interesting (for the most part) work. People ask me 'Why are you switching careers?' Well there are many reasons. After working in the corporate world, I realized it wasn't for me. I was tired of the 9 to 5 (well often 10 to 3, ooops) way of life. I was tired of sitting in a cube, working for poor managers, doing non-rewarding work and feeling my life was being wasted in the pursuit of a paycheck and good benefits. I read stories all the time about people's goal of retirement. For a while I subscribed to this point of view, stashing away as much as I could in my 401k looking forward to retirement even though it was years away. Constant magazine covers 'Retire Early,' 'How to Reach Your Retirement Goals' etc.... I realized that my life shouldn't be geared toward retirement. I don't want to work in a boring job, wasting my life to look forward to my retirement. I want to do something interesting, something I look forward to every day (well most days), something I can actually do part-time during retirement because I like it so much.
People ask me 'Why Vet Med?' Obviously I like animals a lot. I like their innocence. I like their ability to forgive. To be by your side unconditionally. To have something to look forward to when you go home to an empty home without anyone in your life. They provide a nice comfort when I feel lonely. So I really care for them, they fascinate me. Their behaviour, the differences in personalities, their obsession with food even, it's funny. They amuse me, they sit by my side while I watch my cheezy TV shows that I like so much (Judge Judy, Scare Tactics, Nip/Tuck and my all-time favorite - SUPERNATURAL!), there's so much to like about an animal, a lot I cannot describe. So I like vet med because it provides me with a chance to help them. It provides me an opportunity to volunteer at shelters providing treatments. It's just an opportunity and challenge to improve their lives, even though they cannot appreciate it or understand that you are trying to help them. As I've experienced with my scratch marks and my first dog bite the other day.
But own of my main reason going into this field is I enjoy helping people. Because my 3 cats (yes, I am a crazy cat lady) mean so much to me, I appreciate what they mean to others. I work at a clinic and we have older ladies coming in with their pets. They love their pets and I'm sure some of them are lonely because they are by themselves. Maybe their husband passed away, maybe some of their friends did also. Their pet means the world to them. And I must admit, of all the clients at the clinic I work at, I am weakest towards senior citizens.
Pets also provide kids with learning opportunities. How to raise and care for creatures. Any way, if you've made it this far I am sure you can relate to some of what I have said. Hopefully I haven't bored you to death.
I am attempting to write this blog to tell you about my upcoming veterinary school education. To explain the difficulties and the triumphs. To just provide you with insite into what goes on at my school and in my mind. Hopefully to help you out if you are embarking on a career or exploring a career as a veterinarian. More on everything later. I hope you had a good day.
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